Somalia's Political Rift Deepens as Mogadishu Talks End Without Consensus on Elections

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting collapsed on Wednesday after a number of leaders raised objections, further deepening misunderstandings and conflicts in Somalia’s ever-fragile democracy which is under reconstruction.

According to reports, the NCC meeting will kick off on October 27th but there is no guarantee that Puntland leader Said Abdullahi Deni and his Jubaland compatriot Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe will attend after raising reservations in the collapsed outing.

Throughout the meeting, leaders were unable to forge a consensus on critical issues about the administration of the upcoming regional elections. There is a proposal to merge local and federal elections, a move that could trigger unconstitutional term extensions.

The council, which includes the Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the leaders of the five regional states, the Prime Minister, and the Mayor of Mogadishu, faced a significant setback as two of its key members—specifically, the Presidents of Jubaland and Puntland—boycotted the discussions.

While other regional states acquiesced to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s proposal for a one-year term extension and the scheduling of regional elections for late 2025, Madobe opposed the move before leaving Mogadishu. For Deni, he was absent having cut ties with Mogadishu.

On Wednesday Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre announced that discussions would reconvene on October 26; however, he did not clarify whether his administration would make efforts to reengage the leaders of Jubaland and Puntland in the council.

The Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre says the National Consultative Council meeting, which commenced on October 2, is ongoing at The Villa Somalia, despite a notable boycott by key stakeholders.

The dissent centres on the Federal Government of Somalia's (FGS) unilateral approach to planning the upcoming elections and proposing controversial constitutional amendments. President Hassan Sheikh is a proponent of the constitutional changes and wants the universal suffrage model of elections to be adopted.

The NCC boycott by Puntland and Jubaland reflects deep-seated divisions within Somalia's political landscape, highlighting ongoing tensions between FGS and FMS regarding the constitution and the electoral process.

The Prime Minister's assertion that discussions are proceeding suggests face-saving as the absence of significant participants may undermine the legitimacy and effectiveness of any decisions made, analysts warn.

Former President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed alias Farmajo warned that the failure of the National Consultative Council [NCC] to produce outcomes is a worrying indicator for Somalia's political stability, calling on the Federal lawmakers to stand up for the salvation of the nation.

Historically, a similar term extension was attempted by Farmajo himself but was opposed by Hassan Sheikh and other politicians, leading them to support Ahmed Madobe’s inauguration as President of Jubaland sometime back in 2019.

But President Hassan Sheikh reiterates that Somalia's next leader will come from "the ballot box," promising a one-person, one-vote election, a first in 55 years. He makes this pledge as his government is not in control of most parts of the country and Al-Shabaab posing a threat to security.

GAROWE ONLINE