Somali president holds unannounced talks with ex-leader Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, signaling push for national dialogue
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met behind closed doors late Sunday with former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in Mogadishu, an unannounced encounter that signals a possible easing of political tensions as the country grapples with overlapping security, governance and constitutional challenges.
- Advertisement -
The meeting brought together two of Somalia’s most influential political figures after months of strained relations and divergent positions on key national issues. It unfolded quietly but with significant implications for efforts to stabilize the political landscape and accelerate state-building.
In a statement, Himilo Qaran, the party led by Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, said the talks addressed the overall state of the country, focusing on political disagreements, security concerns and the current phase of Somalia’s state-building process. The party said the two sides emphasized the need for national dialogue to bridge divisions that have hampered government performance and reform.
According to Himilo Qaran, Hassan Sheikh underscored the importance of cooperation among political leaders to achieve unity and lasting solutions. “The president expressed his readiness to convene a national consultation conference as called for by opposition political stakeholders,” the party said, adding that he urged Sharif to play a leading role in steering the talks toward a broad national agreement.
Sharif, who served as president from 2009 to 2012, welcomed the initiative and said he was prepared to join any credible effort aimed at bringing Somalis together and resolving political differences. He stressed the value of unity, compromise and genuine dialogue as essential to overcoming persistent crises.
Why it matters
The engagement is a notable signal in Somalia’s fragmented political arena, where disputes over elections, constitutional reforms and power-sharing between the federal government and member states have repeatedly slowed progress. Analysts say the meeting reflects a growing recognition that political accommodation is necessary as the country navigates insecurity, economic strain and institutional reform.
While details of the discussion were not publicly disclosed, the emerging outlines suggest the leaders are testing a pathway toward a broader political arrangement capable of reducing friction in the run-up to consequential decisions on governance and security.
Topics highlighted for potential talks
- Elections: Models, sequencing and timelines to avoid prolonged political deadlock.
- Constitutional reforms: Clarifying the division of powers and responsibilities across federal and state levels.
- Security coordination: Aligning political consensus with ongoing operations and stabilization efforts.
- State-building and institutions: Advancing reforms to strengthen governance, rule of law and service delivery.
- Economic pressures: Addressing fiscal strain and its impact on public trust and reform momentum.
What comes next
No date has been announced for the proposed national consultation conference. Any meaningful process will depend on whether key political actors, including state leaders and opposition parties, accept the framework and guarantees for an inclusive dialogue. The depth of trust between camps—and the mechanism for implementing any agreement—will likely determine whether the initiative can move beyond symbolic meetings.
For now, the quiet encounter in Mogadishu marks an incremental step toward lowering the political temperature. If followed by a structured, time-bound consultation process with clear outcomes, it could help Somalia move past recurrent stalemates and build consensus around core state-building priorities. If not, the moment could join a long list of missed opportunities in the country’s fragile quest for stability.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
