Somali government, opposition fail to reach election deal in Mogadishu
The negotiations took place within the tightly secured compound of Aden Abdulle Osman International Airport in Mogadishu, at a venue operated by the National Intelligence and Security Agency.
Thursday May 14, 2026
Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s federal government and opposition leaders left the table Wednesday without a deal after hours of hard-fought talks over the country’s contested electoral roadmap, according to sources familiar with the meeting.
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The negotiations took place within the tightly secured compound of Aden Abdulle Osman International Airport in Mogadishu, at a venue operated by the National Intelligence and Security Agency.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama headed the government side, while Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni and former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed led the opposition delegation.
According to sources, officials from the U.S. and British embassies were present when the meeting opened and played a role in getting the dialogue underway before stepping out so Somali leaders could continue one-on-one discussions.
The opposition pushed for a wider conversation on the electoral process, insisting that the role of the federal member states must be part of any settlement. Their leaders voiced concerns about the government’s current drive toward direct elections and argued that the dispute cannot be settled without a broader political understanding that includes regional authorities.
President Mohamud and Deputy Prime Minister Jama defended the administration’s direct election plan, citing ongoing voting in districts of Southwest State as evidence of efforts to widen public participation in the political process.
Government officials said the initiative is meant to move Somalia away from indirect voting and toward a more inclusive democratic model. They also said technical groundwork remains necessary before direct elections can be carried out.
Deni and Sharif, speaking for the opposition, said the move toward direct elections should not advance without broad political agreement. They maintained that any national electoral framework must bring in the federal member states as well as opposition parties.
The talks reportedly grew strained as both sides held firm on the main points of disagreement. Sources said representatives from the U.S. and British embassies later returned to the meeting.
Even without a breakthrough, the two sides agreed to keep negotiating and reconvene Thursday.
The latest round of talks comes against a backdrop of rising political friction over constitutional amendments, direct elections and the division of authority between Mogadishu and the regional administrations. Opposition figures have accused the government of forcing through electoral changes without consensus, while federal officials say direct elections are essential if Somalis are to have a stronger say in choosing their leaders.
