MOGADISHU, Somalia — Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo will not attend a political summit set to open Thursday in Kismayo, opposition figures and lawmakers said, underscoring a fluid opposition landscape ahead of Somalia’s 2026 elections.
Abdirashid Xidig, a member of the House of the People and an official with the Somali Salvation Forum, said Farmaajo supports the summit’s objectives but is not part of its organizing structure.
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“Farmaajo is welcome to participate, but he is not part of the organizing committee,” Xidig told reporters, dismissing suggestions that political tensions with Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam were behind the former president’s absence.
The Kismayo summit is expected to bring together opposition leaders and delegations from federal member states to chart a common stance on national priorities as the country eyes the 2026 vote and broader political reconciliation. Organizers say the meeting aims to consolidate views and reinvigorate dialogue across Somalia’s fractious political spectrum.
- Arrangements and timelines for the 2026 elections
- Political reconciliation among federal member states and the center
- Steps to strengthen national dialogue and institutional cooperation
Opposition figures have repeatedly criticized the federal government over delays in establishing key institutions they argue are essential for a credible electoral process, including a constitutional court and a comprehensive voter registry. They contend that such delays risk undermining public confidence and could complicate the transition toward the next election cycle.
Farmaajo’s decision to skip the gathering comes as opposition groups seek to align their messaging and strategies. While he remains a prominent figure within the opposition, Xidig’s comments suggest the summit’s organizers are emphasizing institutional inclusivity over individual political brands, a distinction that may shape how the coalition presents itself to voters and negotiates with the federal government.
Leaders in Kismayo—seat of the Jubaland administration—are expected to weigh proposals on election mechanisms, the role of federal member states in managing polls, and the legal framework to manage disputes. Opposition blocs have called for clear, enforceable rules and independent oversight, arguing that early agreement on these mechanics could reduce tension as the election nears.
The absence of Farmaajo is unlikely to halt the proceedings, but it is a notable signal in a political environment where personalities often drive momentum. For now, the summit’s success will be measured by whether it produces a unified platform on electoral safeguards and reconciliation, and whether that platform draws buy-in beyond the opposition camp.
Despite the former president’s nonattendance, the Kismayo meeting is viewed by participants as a key waypoint in Somalia’s political calendar—an attempt to define priorities and pressure the government to move faster on the institutional groundwork required for a credible 2026 vote.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
