Africa Judges and Jurists Forum (AJJF) is concerned about reports which suggest harassment of the Chief Justice of Somalia, Hon Bashe Yusuf Ahmed and interference with judicial independence. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia has announced that he has dismissed Chief Justice, Hon Bashe Yusuf Ahmed from office. AJJF also notes reports that the Chief Justice has been placed under arrest. Commenting on these developments, AJJFSecretary General Mr Martin Masiga said
“The dismissal of Hon Chief Justice Bashe Yusuf Ahmed a day after the Supreme Court of Somalia ruled that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is not permitted by the Constitution of Somalia to extend his term is a serious attack against the independence of the judiciary in Somalia and the reports of the Chief Justice’s arrest constitute persecution of judges as retribution for exercising their powers independently and impartially.”
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term was supposed to end in May 2026. However, in March 2026, the Parliament of Somalia passed a constitutional amendment aimed at extending President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term by a year, purportedly to provide government with more time to prepare for the first nationwide democratic elections, which are due in May 2027. The opposition parties and regional leaders boycotted the vote over this constitutional amendment. A petition was brought before the Supreme Court to challenge the constitutional amendment. On Thursday 5 November 2026, the Supreme Court of Somalia delivered its ruling and declared that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term ended in May 2026 and he is not permitted by the Constitution to benefit from the amendment that was passed by parliament in March 2026, by extending his term.
Africa Judges and Jurists Forum urges President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to refrain from interfering with judicial independence and encourages his government to honour Somalia’sobligations under article 26 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, particularly the duties to respect and protect judicial independence. In this regard, AJJF calls upon President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to reverse his purported dismissal of Hon Chief Justice, Bashe Yusuf Ahmed and to immediately take necessary steps to respect and guarantee the Chief Justice’s liberty and personal security. AJJF continues to monitor the situation and stands ready to provide solidarity necessary for the protection of judicial independence, the liberty of Hon Chief Justice Bashe Yusuf Ahmed and the rule of law in Somalia.
For more information please contact Mr Martin Okumu-Masiga, Secretary General of the AJJF on info@africajurists.org