Where Do Talks Between the Future Council and the Federal Government Stand?

MOGADISHU — Political negotiations between Somalia’s Future Council and the Federal Government have entered a new phase following a joint meeting by Council members who agreed to attend a unified session at Villa Somalia scheduled for Sunday.

The decision comes after earlier efforts to resolve electoral disputes through committee-level engagements and separate consultative meetings failed to produce a breakthrough. Sources close to the Council say the leadership now views direct high-level dialogue as necessary to accelerate consensus on the electoral process.

The Future Council has presented a unified position supporting an indirect electoral model with broader representation than previous cycles, with the aim of completing the process before May. The Council also emphasized that elections in South West State, Galmudug, and Hirshabeelle should be conducted under arrangements consistent with those applied in other Federal Member States, to ensure procedural balance and national coherence.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government continues work on finalizing the constitutional review process and has invited political stakeholders to submit articles they wish to contest or amend. The government maintains its preference for nationwide direct parliamentary elections, in line with the evolving constitutional framework, to be administered by federal electoral institutions.

Government sources indicate that, should consensus on direct elections fail, a fallback option under consideration could involve reverting to a traditional selection model in which clan elders play a role in nominating members of parliament — similar to the process used during the 2012 electoral transition.

The anticipated Villa Somalia meeting is widely viewed as a pivotal moment that could shape the direction of the negotiations, amid continuing differences over the most viable electoral pathway for the country.

GAROWE ONLINE