MOGADISHU, Somalia — The first phase of high-stakes talks between Somalia’s Future Council and the federal government concluded Thursday in Mogadishu, signaling a cautious push toward election consensus as negotiators seek to reduce political uncertainty ahead of the country’s next polls.
Held at Villa Somalia, the meeting centered on the structure and scope of upcoming elections — a critical question that has shaped political negotiations for months. Officials said both sides recognized the urgency of striking a comprehensive agreement on the type of elections to be held, a step viewed as essential to stabilizing the political calendar and clarifying the path forward.
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President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud affirmed that the government plans to proceed with local council elections in three federal member states, underscoring a phased approach that could build momentum while other electoral questions are worked out. The president’s statement marks one of the clearest signals yet from the federal side on immediate electoral priorities.
While the session at Villa Somalia wrapped up the opening round, political maneuvering continued elsewhere in the capital. Future Council leaders convened separately at a hotel near the airport to fine-tune their position ahead of continued engagement with the government. The parallel meeting highlighted the effort by council leaders to consolidate their negotiating stance as the process advances.
Negotiators are due to reconvene Friday to address outstanding issues. No timelines or procedural details were announced, but participants framed the initial phase as constructive and focused on narrowing gaps.
The talks, closely watched across Somalia’s political landscape, are designed to produce a shared framework for how and where ballots will be cast. Clarity on the electoral model — from local council votes to broader contests — will influence participation rules, logistics, and the pace of implementation across federal member states. Both sides have emphasized the need to avoid protracted uncertainty that could strain institutions and delay governance priorities.
For now, the government’s intent to hold local council elections in three states stands out as the most concrete deliverable on the table. The sequencing hints at an incremental strategy: move ahead where technical conditions exist and consensus is within reach, while continuing to negotiate broader modalities in parallel.
Still, the substance of a “comprehensive deal” on the election type — mentioned by officials from both sides — remains to be detailed. Key questions include how any agreed model would be harmonized across regions and what mechanisms the parties will use to resolve disputes that may arise as implementation proceeds.
As the process shifts into its next round, both camps appear focused on maintaining momentum. The decision to reconvene Friday suggests an appetite for continuous dialogue rather than prolonged pauses — a sign that, at least for now, the talks retain political will on both sides.
- Talks venue: Villa Somalia, Mogadishu
- Participants: Federal government officials and Future Council leaders
- Focus: Reaching a comprehensive agreement on the election model
- Government plan: Local council elections in three federal member states
- Next step: Talks set to resume Friday to tackle unresolved issues
Whether the next session yields a concrete roadmap or a set of phased commitments, the stakes are clear: Somalia’s political actors are under pressure to translate cautious progress into a durable accord that can guide an orderly and credible election process.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
