Somalia Opposition Meets International Partners – What’s the Link to Hassan Sheikh’s Statement?

Mogadishu – Somalia’s political opposition held a meeting today with members of the international community based in Mogadishu. The meeting came shortly after the opposition, largely composed of former high-ranking government officials, concluded a multi-day political gathering in the capital.

Sources indicate that a statement issued yesterday by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was seen as a preemptive move aimed at countering today’s meeting between the opposition and international representatives. The statement emphasized the President’s willingness to engage with all political stakeholders in Somalia.

Participants in today’s meeting included diplomats and envoys from countries that support Somalia, particularly in areas of security and economic development. These nations are among those that provide direct support to Somalia’s efforts to combat Al-Shabaab and ISIS.

Information obtained from credible sources suggests that Villa Somalia’s statement was intended to get ahead of any potential proposals the opposition might present to the international community. It was also seen as an attempt to prevent new demands from being raised by these international partners.

This is not the first time such dynamics have unfolded. The international community has previously called on President Hassan Sheikh to meet with Somali political actors who oppose Villa Somalia’s current political trajectory. Instead, the President and his Prime Minister chose to convene a separate meeting with allied federal member states. That meeting resulted in the formation of a new political party, uniting leaders from the federal government and three federal member states—each led by presidents whose constitutional terms had already expired.

GAROWE ONLINE