section_path: Chronology of events
section_name: Chronology of events
paragraph_text: Chronology of events
  
  On 19 March 2024. Over 70 members from both chambers of the federal parliament strongly opposed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's plans to amend the country's provisional constitution following a meeting in Mogadishu.
  
  On March 29, 2024, Human Rights Watch urged and recommended in a statement that Federal Parliament of Somalia reject any proposed constitutional amendments that may weaken the safeguards for children's rights. Laetitia Bader, deputy Africa director of Human Rights Watch. “Somalia’s parliament should resist efforts to weaken constitutional protections for children, especially girls,” she added. “Somalia’s donors should press the government to carry through on its claims that it is taking significant steps to meet its international human rights commitments, Somalia’s parliament appears poised to adopt amendments to the country’s constitution that could subject generations of children to harmful practices,” She added. “Constitutional reform should instead assist the government to better protect the rights of children.”
  
  On 30 March 2024, the federal parliament of Somalia approved several constitutional changes that the government says are necessary to establish a stable political system.
  
  31 March 2024, Puntland said it has withdrawn from the federal system and will govern itself independently until constitutional amendments are passed by the central government and approved in a nationwide referendum.
  
  On 3 April 2024. the Federal Government of Somalia has ordered Ethiopia's ambassador to leave the country within 72 hours, along with the closure of Ethiopia's consulates in Somaliland and Puntland. Diplomats and staff must vacate within a week.
  
  On May 9, 2024, Isha Dyfan, the Sierra Leonean lawyer represent United Nations Expert on Human Rights in Somalia, visited the country for five days. During her visit, she spoke about the importance of dialogue and agreement among Somalia's political leaders to improve the country's provisional constitution.