Baidoa(Mogadishu24)-Somalia’s Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has initiated a new round of consultations on the review of the provisional constitution, focusing on Chapters 5 to 9, with the Southwest State Parliament in Baidoa.

The discussions, which began on Monday, are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to amend and finalize the country’s foundational legal document.

Deputy Minister of Constitution and Justice Affairs, Mumino Sh. Omar, emphasized the significance of this phase in the constitutional review process.

“Following extensive efforts to review and amend the initial chapters of the provisional constitution, we are now honored to present to you another phase of our work, aimed at accelerating the review of Chapters 5 to 9,” she said.

The Ministry aims to ensure a comprehensive approach, engaging diverse stakeholders in the process.

Farhia Mumin, a member of the Independent Constitution Review and Implementation Commission, highlighted the inclusive nature of the consultations.

She underscored the importance of gathering input from various regions, noting that “every word, idea, and input will be respectfully gathered during the nationwide endeavours to finalize the constitutional amendment process.”

The consultative session in Baidoa marks the start of state-level discussions aimed at building consensus on the amendments.

Deputy and Interim Speaker of the Southwest State Parliament, MP Mohamed Nur, praised the Ministry’s efforts, commending the consultative approach to ensuring an inclusive and thorough review.

Despite challenges, including opposition earlier this year when four chapters of the constitution were approved in March, the government remains committed to advancing the process.

The controversial approval led to Puntland State withdrawing its confidence from the government, illustrating the delicate political landscape surrounding the constitutional amendments.

The Ministry of Justice has expressed its determination to continue engaging all regional administrations and stakeholders, reinforcing its commitment to a collaborative and all-encompassing process for finalizing the constitution.