Power struggle mars Somalia’s constitutional reform

Significance The proposals must be approved in a referendum but have already drawn opposition accusations of a power grab by the president. Most notably, Puntland’s president has said his region will operate independently from the federal system until its concerns are addressed. Impacts Puntland may seek to frustrate federal authorities by cooperating with Ethiopia in sensitive areas, such as energy or ports. Another proposed amendment that sets the age of maturity at 15 will fuel fears it will encourage child marriages. A shift to universal suffrage elections will raise questions around how to address expectations of clan balance in political institutions.