MOGADISHU (WDN) – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has officially announced that the much-anticipated Political Consultation Forum, bringing together politicians and community leaders, will be held in Mogadishu on June 15, 2025. But the announcement has done little to quell rising political tensions—in fact, it may have only deepened the rifts.

Notably absent from the upcoming forum are two Federal Member States (FMS), Puntland and Jubaland, both of which have repeatedly expressed concerns over the president’s unilateral approach and the erosion of federalism. The remaining three FMS presidents expected to attend—South West, Galmudug, and Hirshabelle—are themselves clinging to power with expired mandates, raising serious questions about their legitimacy and the representativeness of any outcome from the meeting.

Adding to the political storm, the opposition coalition released a scathing press statement after four days of intense internal deliberations. The communiqué accuses President Hassan of plunging the nation into constitutional chaos, citing his controversial replacement of the Provisional Constitution without broad consensus, a move many legal experts say lacks legal grounding.

The opposition also denounced the president’s failing security campaign against Al-Shabaab, which continues to control vast rural areas, and highlighted what they describe as rampant corruption within his administration—allegations that have been mounting in both domestic and international circles.

With the nation teetering on the edge of political crisis, the June 15 forum could be a turning point—but whether it offers a path toward national reconciliation or further descent into fragmentation remains uncertain. All eyes will be on Mogadishu as the date approaches, with speculation swirling about what deals, if any, can be struck in a room where legitimacy is already under heavy scrutiny.

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