Despite differences, optimism registered in Somalia's difficult political talks

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Slight optimism has been recorded in Somalia's ongoing pre-election talks in Mogadishu, just as the international community continues to pile pressure on various actors, who have been pulling the country back and forth, amid pre-election stalemate.

Leaders from all member states, the opposition, and the federal government of Somalia have been meeting at Halane Base Camp for over a week now, but the talks have been marred with suspicions from either side of the political divide.

On Monday [today], talks pitting leaders from the five states, the International partners commenced talks at the Halane Base Camp aiming at solving differences involving Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, his Jubaland counterpart Ahmed Madobe and Farmajo.

Int'l partners hail FMS's efforts to find a way out and compromise for the unprecedented electoral and political crisis in Somalia and proceed with talks for peaceful elections after attending today's meeting.

The presidents of Southwest, Hirshabelle, and Galmudug have warned Outgoing President Farmajo against term extension, saying they will not be a party to such an illegal move. Sourced confirmed to Garowe Online.

The firm stand of these presidents and pressure by the international community put a hold on the scheduled sitting of parliament to discuss and pass a mandate extension for the government.

In fact, the current stalemate has been engineered by opposition from Deni and Madobe, who accuse Farmajo of running the country like his "personal property". The main stumbling block now is said to be the security of the venue.

With mistrust, there is a chance all the sides will not be under the same tent until the day of the signing of the agreement - that is if the security arrangement of the venue is solved. However, sources intimate that there is a slight optimism compared to 48hrs ago

Earlier on Sunday, the leaders of the 5 Federal Member States in Somalia convened their 3rd meeting in Halane, Mogadishu, and had consultations with northern politicians led by Senate Speaker Abdi Hashi as they seek a common stance ahead of their attendance of the Afisyoni conference.

Later on Sunday night, Farmajo, the Presidents of Galmudug, Hir Shabelle, South West, Prime Minister Mohamed Roble, and the Governor of Banadir held a meeting at Villa Somalia. The team is facing resistance from the opposition, Jubaland, and Puntland.

The presidents of the three states are said to have shared with Farmajo what they had agreed on with the presidents of Puntland and Jubaland over the past two days, as the country struggles to find a lasting solution to the current electoral impasse.

Among the issues, they are said to have discussed suspicion that the lower house of the federal government will make an illegal extension and the next meeting between the five FGS presidents and Farmajo.

GAROWE ONLINE