Somalia: FNP calls for inclusive dialogue in Mogadishu talks

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's main opposition party the Forum for National Parties [FNP] has now called for a more inclusive dialogue in Mogadishu, arguing that all regional leaders should be called for the meeting instead of limiting it to only two states, in a statement which could change the fortunes of the talks.

For almost five days, leaders from Jubaland and Puntland under the stewardship of Said Abdullahi Deni and Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe, have been in Mogadishu for pre-election talks, having missed in Dhusamareb III conference, but the presence of three other states leaders had caused a standoff.

President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo was due to meet the two leaders on Sunday evening for a consensus in absence of HirShabelle, Galmadug, and Southwest leaders, who were not invited. But leaders from the three states were part of Dhusamareb talks and had endorsed a Constituency Caucus model.

But the FNP under the leadership of former Presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud insists that the talks will only make sense of the country's leadership invites all stakeholders for a mutually acceptable outcome, which would avert possible delay of elections.

Besides the regional leaders, FNP added in a statement, the Mogadishu talks will only make sense if political leaders are also invited to the discussions. Apart from the regional leaders, only Banadir governor who also doubles as Mogadishu Mayor Omar Filish was invited to the talks.

Even though the party supports the Dhusamareb III outcome, it called for various modifications to the proposed electoral model. The agreement stated that at least 301 delegates from each constituency should participate in elections under the supervision of the National Independent Electoral Commission [NIEC].

But a section of stakeholders believes that NIEC should not be a party to the elections, arguing that states should be allowed to conduct the polls. The electoral body had initially called for more time to conduct elections, something which could have led to unprecedented term extensions.

Although details of the Sunday meeting are yet to be revealed, a number of issues that were fronted by the Jubaland and Puntland leadership had been agreed upon. For instance, reports had indicated that the federal government agreed to withdraw Somali National Army [SNA] troops from the Gedo region.

For almost nine months, the troops have been operating in Gedo, often clashing with the regional Jubaland forces. While Jubaland insisted that the main intention was to establish a parallel administration in Gedo, the Mogadishu administration said the troops have an obligation to defend the territorial integrity of the country.

The term for the current administration expires in November but there have been claims of plans to have its mandate extended. The US and a section of international partners have been pushing for consensus among all political players in the Horn of Africa nation, which has been struggling with insecurity for over three decades.

GAROWE ONLINE