Office of the President

The Office of the President: Symbol of National Unity and Guardian of the Federal Constitution

The office of the President, Federal Republic of Somalia was established with the proclamation of the Republic of Somalia on 1st July 1960.The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia is elected for a term of office of four years. The term of office of an incumbent president continues until a President-elect takes office.

On assuming office, the president-elect takes the oath before the parliament; “I swear in the name of Allah that I will perform my duties honestly and in the best interest of the Nation, People, and the Religion, and that I will abide by the Constitution and the other Laws of the Country.”

The president is the head of state and is the commander-in-chief of the Somali armed forces.

The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia’s roles and responsibilities as stipulated in the Constitution include:

• Appointing a Prime Minister who then forms the government.
• Assents to draft bills approved by parliament, then the bills become laws.
• The appointment of the chairman of the Constitutional Court, the High Court, and other judges at the Federal Government Level in accordance with the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission.
• The appointment of Ambassadors on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers.