Somali Political Leaders Hold Closed-Door Talks in Kismayo
KISMAYO, Somalia — Senior Somali political figures held closed-door meetings Friday at the Jubaland presidential palace in the southern city of Kismayo, in what participants described as a pivotal bid to shape the country’s political path and the 2026 elections.
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Officials briefed on the discussions said the talks centered on finalizing the structure and mandate of a proposed body called the Future Council of Somalia, which backers say is intended to guide the country’s political direction in the months ahead. The deliberations follow a general conference that opened Thursday in Kismayo.
“The Future Council of Somalia today began closed consultations at the Jubaland presidential palace, following the opening of the general conference yesterday,” said one participant attending the meetings, speaking to Axadle.
What’s on the table
In addition to the council’s makeup and scope, participants focused on drafting the language of a final communiqué. According to officials familiar with the agenda, the document is expected to outline the opposition’s position on the governance model to be adopted and propose a possible path to resolve disputes around the 2026 vote. The talks are framed by ongoing negotiations over electoral reforms and the need to forge broader consensus on how to administer and legitimize the next national election.
Who is in the room
The Kismayo meetings brought together a cross-section of political heavyweights, including the leaders of Puntland State and Jubaland, former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former prime ministers, and current members of Parliament and the Senate, according to attendees. Their presence underscored the breadth of stakeholders seeking to influence the country’s governance architecture and election roadmap.
Why it matters
The Future Council proposal has emerged as a focal point for Somalia’s political negotiations, with supporters viewing it as a coordinating forum for national figures and federal member states at a time of heightened political maneuvering. The closed-door format underscores the sensitivity of debates about the governance model and election rules, issues that have historically divided political actors and complicated timelines.
While details of the council’s composition and decision-making mechanisms remain under discussion, sources said the aim is to present a unified framework that can be sold to a wider political audience and the public through a clear communiqué. The outcome could shape how Somalia approaches the 2026 elections and how federal and regional authorities manage their often-contentious relationship.
The talks in Kismayo come as political camps seek to consolidate their positions and test points of compromise on key reforms. Participants said the emphasis on a single communiqué is designed to reduce ambiguity, define areas of agreement and push forward a structured process for resolving remaining disputes.
Officials have not disclosed when a final statement will be issued. But the focus on process, mandate and shared messaging indicates that the Kismayo consultations are intended to deliver a concrete political blueprint, even as the specifics are still being negotiated behind closed doors.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
