The Somali Republics: A Constitutional and Historical Briefing

1. The First Somali Republic (1960–1991)

The Somali Republic was established on 1 July 1960 following the union of the former British Somaliland Protectorate and the Italian-administered Trust Territory of Somaliland. This republic existed under a unitary framework:

1960–1969: A multiparty parliamentary democracy.

1969–1991: A centralized military regime under Mohamed Siad Barre, following a coup d’état.

Despite the change in governance style, the state remained the same republic. A coup does not constitute the founding of a new republic unless accompanied by a new constitutional order. The collapse of central authority in January 1991 marked the end of the First Republic.

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2. The Interregnum and Statutory Vacuum (1991–2004)

From 1991 to 2004, Somalia experienced state collapse. Various reconciliation efforts—Djibouti (1991), Addis Ababa (1993), Arta (2000)—produced transitional arrangements, but none achieved the legal durability or institutional consolidation of a republic. This period was therefore characterized by:

Absence of a functioning central state.

Proliferation of factional and regional administrations.

Internationally mediated but temporary transitional authorities.

This was not a republic but rather a vacuum in national sovereignty.

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3. The Second Somali Republic (2004–Present)

The adoption of the Transitional Federal Charter (October 2004, Nairobi) constituted the founding of a new republic with a federal character. Key features distinguishing it from the First Republic include:

Federalism: The charter established Somalia as a federal state, in contrast to the unitary model of 1960.

Power-Sharing: Clan-based representation (the “4.5 formula”) was formalized as the framework for transitional governance.

Institutional Reset: A new presidency, parliament, and council of ministers were created under transitional mandates.

In 2012, the Provisional Federal Constitution replaced the Charter, entrenching the Federal Republic of Somalia. Despite ongoing political fragility, this framework remains in force, and Somalia is still legally in its Second Republic.

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4. On the Misconception of a “Third Republic”

The idea of a “Third Republic” is a misconception rooted in:

Conflation of regime changes with republics. Military coups or leadership turnovers do not amount to the founding of a new republic without constitutional refoundation.

Weak civic education. The erosion of historical and constitutional literacy has led to blurred distinctions between governments, regimes, and republics.

Political rhetoric. Actors may invoke “Third Republic” for rhetorical or aspirational purposes, but it lacks constitutional basis.

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5. Correct Periodization of Somali Statehood

First Republic (1960–1991): Unitary state, collapsed in 1991.

Statutory Vacuum (1991–2004): State collapse, transitional experiments.

Second Republic (2004–Present): Federal framework, established by the 2004 Charter and entrenched by the 2012 Provisional Constitution.

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Conclusion:
Somalia remains in its Second Republic. Any discussion of a “Third Republic” would only be accurate if Somalis adopt a new constitutional settlement that supersedes the federal arrangement. Until then, the term is historically and legally unfounded.