Mogadishu (WDN)– Somalia’s opposition coalition, the Council for Somalia’s Future, has reportedly rejected a request for renewed political dialogue from former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, whose mandate expired amid an escalating constitutional and political crisis.

Opposition leaders, dismissed the proposal, accusing Hassan Sheikh of using dialogue merely as a political tactic aimed at buying time and prolonging his hold on power rather than genuinely seeking a negotiated settlement.

The rejection marks a major setback for efforts to revive negotiations between Villa Somalia and opposition leaders as the country drifts deeper into uncertainty and institutional paralysis.

According to political sources in Mogadishu, Hassan Sheikh recently appealed to members of the international community to once again facilitate talks between his administration and opposition groups. The former president reportedly pledged to “open a new chapter” in the stalled negotiations, although he stopped short of offering any concrete concessions or outlining a compromise framework.

The opposition cited what they described as the former President Hassan Sheikh ’s unwillingness to engage in meaningful political concessions. “The problem is not the absence of talks,” one opposition figure said privately. “The problem is the absence of willingness to compromise.”

The opposition argue that repeated rounds of negotiations have failed because the former president remains unwilling to make meaningful concessions on key disputes surrounding elections, governance, and the legitimacy of the current administration following the expiration of its mandate.

The standoff has intensified fears that Somalia is entering one of its most dangerous political moments in years, with relations between the Federal Government and major regional states already severely fractured.

There are also reported mediation efforts by Turkey, which maintains close relations with Hassan Sheikh, to help bridge the divide between the two sides. Nevertheless, opposition figures reportedly have little confidence in Turkey’s neutrality, as well as in Hassan Sheikh’s willingness to engage in genuine negotiations and meaningful political compromise.

Diplomatic attention is also turning toward the United States and the United Kingdom, whose ambassadors have played central roles in previous mediation efforts. Sources say Hassan Sheikh personally reached out to both governments in an attempt to revive the dialogue process and bring the opposition back to the negotiating table.

It remains unclear whether Western diplomats will succeed in persuading the opposition to resume talks or whether Somalia’s political deadlock will continue to deepen.

WardheerNews