European Union welcomes Somalia’s opposition joining national dialogue as encouraging progress

EU hails Somali opposition joining national dialogue as positive step

MOGADISHU, Somalia — The European Union’s envoy to Somalia has welcomed the decision by the country’s main opposition alliance to join a government-led consultation, calling it a constructive step toward national stability.

The Somali Future Council — a coalition of regional leaders and former officials — confirmed it will attend the consultations scheduled for Feb. 1, 2026, in Mogadishu. The invitation was extended by the Federal Government of Somalia.

EU Ambassador to Somalia Francesca Di Mauro said in a social media post that the council had accepted the invitation following a meeting, describing the decision as a “constructive step.” She added that what is needed now is a conducive environment to foster productive dialogue among all political stakeholders.

• The Somali Future Council says its participation is conditional on suspending all amendments to the 2012 Provisional Constitution.
• The consultations are planned for Feb. 1, 2026, in Mogadishu and are led by the federal government.
• The council has previously clashed with the government over plans to shift Somalia to a “one person, one vote” electoral system.

The council’s condition on constitutional changes underscores the sensitivity of the process and the level of mistrust that has shadowed talks among Somali political actors. By linking participation to a pause on amendments, the bloc signaled it wants negotiations to proceed on neutral ground.

The EU’s public endorsement places international weight behind renewed dialogue and adds momentum to efforts to bring key political stakeholders into the same room. The focus now turns to whether the environment and safeguards around the meeting will be sufficient to satisfy the council’s terms and sustain talks beyond the opening session.

While differences remain over the pace and shape of Somalia’s political transition, the council’s decision to attend marks a notable opening in a standoff that has centered on electoral rules and the constitutional framework governing federal and regional powers.

The Feb. 1 consultations are expected to test whether trust can be rebuilt and whether a roadmap can be agreed for handling both the electoral model and future constitutional steps. For now, the EU has framed the acceptance as a step in the right direction — one that will hinge on inclusive participation and a climate conducive to meaningful dialogue.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.