Supreme Court Stops Somalia President’s Term Extension

Somalia’s Supreme Court has ruled that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud unlawfully extended his term, escalating a political crisis and a standoff between the presidency and judiciary.

Thursday’s ruling came a day after Mohamud dismissed Chief Justice Bashe Yusuf Ahmed – a move which the court said the president lacked the authority to take.

The court also ordered political leaders to agree on an electoral plan within 30 days and hold elections within 90 days, potentially disrupting government plans for nationwide polls next year.

Mohamud’s four-year mandate expired in May, but his administration extended it by a year through law changes approved by parliament in March.