MOGADISHU (WDN) – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held a rare and high-stakes meeting with the Somali Salvation Forum—an alliance of prominent opposition leaders—at the Presidential Villa Somalia in Mogadishu, amid escalating tensions over the future of Somalia’s electoral process and constitutional reform.

The Somali Salvation Forum, which includes former presidents, prime ministers, parliamentary speaker, members of parliament, and other senior political figures, had previously boycotted the recently concluded National Consultative Forum in Mogadishu. They criticized the gathering as unrepresentative and disconnected from the political realities facing the nation.

According to a statement from Villa Somalia, the meeting is part of President Hassan’s broader efforts to continue consultations with key political stakeholders. However, the talks highlighted deep divisions over the direction of the country’s governance.

At the heart of the dispute is the format of the upcoming elections. President Hassan remains adamant about implementing a one-person, one-vote electoral model, describing it as essential for democratic progress. The opposition, however, argues that the current political and security environment makes such a model unfeasible and potentially destabilizing. They also raised legal concerns about the legitimacy of recent constitutional amendments, accusing the government of bypassing due process.

While the meeting was described as preliminary, both sides agreed to continue dialogue—an indication that space for negotiation still exists, despite entrenched differences.

Meanwhile, in Garowe, a separate and potentially pivotal political consultation is underway between Puntland and Jubaland—two federal member states that have also distanced themselves from the Mogadishu conference. Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madoobe) is currently visiting Garowe, where it’s expected to release a joint statement with Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni on the future political trajectory of Somalia.

The coming days may prove critical, as political alignments shift and Somalia’s leaders face increasing pressure to forge a national consensus.

WardheerNews