Somali Parliament Approves Constitutional Changes Extending Terms, Delaying Elections

Somalia's parliament approved constitutional changes extending the presidential and parliamentary terms from four to five years, delaying elections originally scheduled for May. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud hailed the move as completing a long-delayed constitutional process. Opposition leaders, including former presidents and prime ministers, criticized the amendments and urged adherence to the original election timeline. The country continues to face security challenges from the al Shabaab group despite African Union peacekeeping efforts.