In the capital city of Mogadishu, leaders from Somalia’s federal and regional bodies gathered for the National Consultative Council (NCC) powwow. This session zeroed in on critical issues like security, governance, and the hustle and bustle of economic growth.
Meanwhile, Hargeisa (AX) — The provisional authority of SSC Khaatumo stepped up on the podium, formally seeking a voice at the ongoing NCC meetings. They argued their corner, saying that as a legitimate federal entity under the Somali government, they’ve got a right to shape the nation’s playbook.
SSC Khaatumo made their pitch in a press release on Wednesday, calling on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and fellow NCC members for their inclusion in future big-league discussions.
These talks usually have the who’s who of Somalia’s federal and regional government officials, joined by the Banaadir Regional Administration, steering the ship on state affairs like security, governance, and economic matters.
Recently, residents of SSC Khaatumo, perched in a region with a tangled history of disputes, declared they needed to set up their own gig under Somalia’s federal system earlier this year. In October 2023, SSC Khaatumo earned its stripes as an interim federal entity recognized by Somalia’s ruling body. Their leadership stressed that being snubbed denies their folks a fair shot to influence the country’s steering wheel of governance.
“Just sitting on the bench while others draft our political and economic blueprint isn’t cutting it,” as put forth by the administration’s fiery statement. “SSC Khaatumo deserves a fair say at the table.”
SSC Khaatumo’s correspondents vented their dissatisfaction at being left in the lurch in discussions that paint broad strokes for their territory’s future. They flagged the council’s weighty decisions as the compass for Somalia’s future path, covering everything from security ops to economic tactics and federal negotiations.
“We can no longer just be spectators watching outsiders make moves about our turf and kin,” they stated, demanding a place in these critical conversations.
Edited by: Ali Musa
Axadle international–Monitoring
