Mogadishu (WDN) — Somalia’s international partners have reportedly urged the Federal Government and opposition groups to reach a comprehensive political agreement before proceeding with federal elections, amid continuing disputes over the country’s electoral roadmap and the legitimacy of the political transition.

Diplomats representing the United Kingdom, United States, Türkiye, United Nations, European Union and African Union have reportedly conveyed their concerns to both the Federal Government and opposition leaders, emphasizing the need for an agreed electoral framework before any federal election is held.

According to the message delivered to the government, the Federal Government should not proceed with federal elections unilaterally until an agreement has been reached with the country’s principal political stakeholders.

The international partners have also called for the establishment of a joint electoral committee, bringing together representatives of the government and opposition, to negotiate and agree on the structure, procedures and timetable for the next federal elections.

Pressure for a Time-Bound Transition

The international partners have reportedly emphasized that Somalia’s political leaders should work toward holding elections within approximately six to seven months, underscoring the importance of preventing another prolonged political transition.

The proposed timetable would effectively place pressure on the Somali political class to reach an agreement quickly and move from political confrontation toward an electoral process acceptable to the major stakeholders.

The latest diplomatic intervention comes amid months of disagreement over Somalia’s constitutional framework, electoral model and the future distribution of political authority between the Federal Government and the Federal Member States.

The international position could also be interpreted as an implicit acceptance of the additional time created by the Federal Government’s controversial decision to extend the presidential term by one year.

Critics of the extension have argued that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s constitutional mandate expired without a consensual electoral agreement and that the government should not have unilaterally extended its tenure.

However, by urging the parties to organize elections within six to seven months rather than insisting on an immediate transfer of power, international partners appear to be working within the political reality created by the extension.

That does not necessarily amount to formal endorsement of the extension. Rather, it suggests that international partners are prioritizing a negotiated and peaceful electoral transition over an immediate constitutional confrontation.

The central challenge now remains whether the government and opposition can overcome their deep mistrust and agree on an electoral framework.

The proposed joint committee could provide a mechanism for addressing the most contentious questions, including the electoral system, the role of federal and state institutions, the legal framework and the timetable for voting. For Somalia, the stakes are considerable.

A unilateral election could deepen the political divide, while a negotiated electoral process could provide an opportunity to restore confidence in the country’s institutions and prevent another cycle of confrontation.

For now, international partners appear to be sending a clear message: Somalia’s next federal election should not be a unilateral exercise. It should be the product of political agreement—and it must happen within a clearly defined timeframe.

WardheerNerws