IGAD urges Somali leaders to keep talking after talks end without deal

Sunday May 17, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s stalled political transition has drawn fresh concern from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, which is pressing the country’s leaders to stay at the table after talks between the federal government and opposition figures failed to bridge major divides.

In a statement released Saturday from Djibouti, the IGAD Secretariat said it had followed consultations held in Mogadishu from May 13 to 15 between the Federal Government of Somalia and opposition stakeholders.

The regional bloc welcomed the direct engagement between the parties and encouraged them to continue discussions in a constructive and inclusive manner.

IGAD said sustained political dialogue is vital to protecting Somalia’s stability, deepening democratic governance and moving forward with the country’s state-building efforts.

The organization called on Somali stakeholders to pursue solutions that strengthen national unity, bolster public confidence and support long-term institutional progress.

The statement followed three days of negotiations in Mogadishu that ended without an agreement on elections, constitutional amendments or the broader political transition. The impasse has sharpened tensions between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s government and opposition leaders, who say the administration is pushing reforms without sufficient consensus.

Federal officials have defended the government’s roadmap, arguing that Somalia must advance toward one-person, one-vote elections and finish long-delayed political reforms.

IGAD said it remains supportive of Somali-led efforts to promote inclusive governance, preserve peace and security and secure a stable future for Somalia and the wider region.