Mogadishu — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called for a national consultative conference to be held in Mogadishu from Nov. 14 to 18, 2026, inviting opposition parties and representatives of civil society to resolve disagreements over the country’s federal electoral process.
Formal invitations were sent to the Nabad iyo Nolol Party, Somali Future Council, National Unity Forum and Civil Society Coalition.
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According to the presidency on Monday, the five-day conference will focus on the conduct of federal elections, with the aim of building a shared understanding among political stakeholders through dialogue and consensus.
The call comes as tensions have escalated between the federal government and opposition groups following the election timetable announced at the beginning of this month.
The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has scheduled elections for both houses of the Federal Parliament for April 15, 2027, while the presidential election has been set for May 15.
However, opposition coalitions, including the Somali Future Council, have strongly rejected the timetable, arguing that the decision was announced without an inclusive political agreement.
The council had previously called for negotiations to be reopened to reach an agreement on the electoral framework, warning that unilateral steps could deepen political divisions and weaken Somalia’s federal system.
The planned November forum could provide an opportunity for the government and invited political figures to discuss disagreements arising from the electoral process at the negotiating table.
It remains unclear whether all invited parties will attend the conference or whether the consultations could alter the previously announced election timetable.
