Mogadishu (AX) — In an important step toward fostering national unity and addressing pressing governance issues, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has officially announced the commencement of the National Consultation Forum. Scheduled to open in Mogadishu on June 15, 2025, this high-level gathering aims to bring together political and civil society leaders to discuss critical state-building priorities.
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“In times of uncertainty, dialogue becomes not just a mechanism, but a bridge,” President Hassan Sheikh articulated in a recent statement from his office. This forum follows an extensive series of consultations that have engaged former national leaders, presidents of federal member states, political parties, and representatives from civil society organizations. The objective is clear: to create an inclusive environment for national discourse focused on Somalia’s most pressing governance and security challenges.
The President has identified five priority areas for discussion during the forum: national security and countering terrorism, the democratization process and electoral reform, the completion of the constitution, enhancing national unity, and fostering reconciliation among the populace. Each of these issues resonates deeply, touching the lives of Somalis across the nation. Think for a moment about the implications of national security in a region often ravaged by conflict. How does one feel secure enough to build a future when the shadows of past turmoil loom large?
President Hassan Sheikh emphasized the need for genuine consultations that reflect the collective interests of all Somali citizens. “We must engage actively,” he urged, calling upon stakeholders from every corner of society to participate. In the weeks leading up to the forum, preparatory meetings will be held to ensure that diverse voices are heard. It’s impressive to think that the complexity of Somalia’s challenges could be met through a series of constructive dialogues. How often do we find ourselves in situations where listening can pave the way for understanding?
A special committee has been established to manage the logistical and technical aspects of the forum, headed by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hassan Macalin Mahmoud. This step reveals not only an organizational commitment but also a desire for transparency in a country where such qualities are desperately needed. There is something undeniably hopeful about the notion that a group of committed individuals can come together to steer a nation toward a better future.
Nevertheless, the announcement of the forum did not come without challenge. Just hours after the President’s statement, the Somali Salvation Forum—a coalition led by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed—voiced concerns regarding what they perceive as a threat to unity and the state-building process. The opposition has raised alarm over the expired mandates of some federal member states, apprehensive about the prospect of power centralization and engineered electoral outcomes.
On the topic of the electoral process, the opposition has firmly rejected a return to the 2022 model, advocating instead for a more equitable one-person, one-vote system. They propose basing this system on the 2012 provisional constitution and legislative laws from both the 9th and 10th parliaments, including the Direct Election Law. Isn’t it fascinating how various paths to democracy can exist within the same landscape? The inherent complexities of governance, especially in contexts like Somalia, remind us of the challenges inherent in every democratic endeavor.
The stakes are undeniably high. Each conversation, each debate, and every decision made in the coming weeks could ripple through the fabric of Somali society, impacting lives in tangible ways. Anecdotes of individuals in communities across Somalia reveal a deep yearning for stability, for a life free from the shackles of uncertainty. Can a forum like this serve as the catalyst for change? Are we, as a nation, ready to listen to one another and step into the realm of possibility?
As the date of the forum approaches, the anticipation is palpable. Will it lead to significant breakthroughs or will it become another chapter in the saga of Somalia’s governance struggles? Only time will tell. However, the commitment shown by both the President’s office and civil society to initiate this conversation demonstrates that progress, however challenging, is possible. It provokes the question: What might we achieve if we truly come together?
In navigating these complexities, one thing is apparent: the path to national unity and stability may be fraught with challenges, but the willingness to engage in dialogue is a powerful step forward. As President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reminds us, “An inclusive dialogue is not just desired; it is required.”
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
