Somalia faces political turmoil after court rejects president's term extension

Mogadishu residents on Friday expressed mixed feelings after Somalia's Supreme Court ruled an extension of the president's term was unlawful. The country is mired in a political crisis, with the opposition accusing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of trying to dismiss the court's chief justice. What's up, Santa? The Supreme Court is right and its decision is right. In the world, all people and governments abide by court decisions, and the rule of law must be respected. Can you send me a letter, Amo? I don't got the mail. In my opinion, that court decision is right, and I call on the president of Somalia, Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, not to create civil war in the country. I don't know what to say. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has tried to move Somalia towards fully democratic elections, replacing the clan-based system, but his opponents see the reforms as a power grab. The president declared a transition period that gave him an extra year in office when his term ended last May, but the Supreme Court on Thursday ruled against the move, calling for elections to be held within 90 days. I see the court's decision as wrong because when the new constitution was being approved, the court was operational. The court chief was also present at that time. Somalia is supposed to hold its first nationwide democratic elections in April and May 2027.