Key talks to end dead end in Somalia start in Mogadishu
MOGADISHU, Somalia – After many weeks of waiting, the highly anticipated meeting before the election between the federal government of Somalia and the federal member states started in Afisiyooni within Aden Adde International Airport, in what could solve Somalia’s political impasse.
The meeting, mediated by members of the international community, had been delayed due to allegations that the Somali federal government was not eager to attend, or at least the organizers were looking for a way to incorporate outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo on.
Initially, there were concerns about whether Farmajo should be included as president of Somalia or just as a presidential candidate when his term expired on February 8 under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
For the first time in so many months, Northeastern State’s President Said Abdullahi Deni and his counterpart in Jubaland met Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, whom they have accused of sabotage.
On Thursday, the two leaders who have been fierce critics of Farmajo accused the FGS of ignoring them, even after spending over three weeks in Mogadishu. They accuse FGS of not implementing the agreement before the election on 17 September.
Today’s preliminary conference aims to break down barriers and agree on an agenda for the next talks. Also present is the governor of Banadir Omar Filish, who has fought to get more representatives from the region in the Senate.
Although it is not clear whether the leaders agree, members of the international community have pushed them to bury their political differences. The outcome of the meeting will be revealed later in the evening.
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