Mogadishu (WDN)- In a political climate clouded by distrust and fragmentation, Somalia’s opposition coalition, Madasha Samata-bixinta, has issued a cautious response to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s recent announcement of a national consultative conference, scheduled for June 15, 2025. While officially welcoming the initiative, the opposition’s carefully worded statement reveals more skepticism than celebration — and leaves many wondering whether this proposed dialogue could be a genuine turning point or yet another political spectacle.

The President’s call for talks comes at a time of growing national discontent, constitutional uncertainty, and a faltering war on terror.

“We welcome the consultative dialogue,” read the statement from the opposition Forum, “but to deliver real outcomes in these turbulent times — politically, economically, and in terms of national security — the agenda must be made clear and the discussions substantive.”

The Forum’s call for clarity is anything but symbolic. Opposition leaders demand that the conference address the country’s most explosive issues: the unresolved constitutional review, the stalled federal and state elections, and the ever-worsening security crisis driven by Al-Shabaab and other extremist groups.

Behind the diplomatic language, however, lies a palpable air of suspicion. The opposition warns that without transparency and full inclusion — particularly of all Federal Member States and opposition parties — the dialogue risks becoming yet another monologue, staged for political optics.

“This gathering must not be a closed-door affair,” the statement urges. “It should bring together all political stakeholders, and the public must know exactly what’s on the table.”

The timing of the President’s announcement — coming just days after the opposition released a scathing statement highlighting his administration’s failures in governance, corruption, and counterterrorism — adds yet another layer of intrigue.

Is this a sincere attempt at reconciliation, or a calculated move to reclaim narrative control amid growing dissent?

As June 15 approaches, the country watches with bated breath — uncertain whether this meeting will bridge divides or deepen them. One thing is certain: the stakes could not be higher.

WardheerNews