Somali opposition bloc says talks with federal government collapse as election deadline nears
MOGADISHU — The Somali Future Council, an alliance aligned with the opposition, said Monday its high-level negotiations with the federal government ended without agreement after several days of talks at the Presidential Palace, intensifying political uncertainty as the mandates of federal institutions expire in three months.
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The discussions focused on elections and constitutional reform. In a statement, the council said it entered the talks to avert a governance vacuum and secure a negotiated, timely electoral process before the end of the current term.
Points of breakdown
The Future Council accused the government of pushing ahead with unilateral constitutional amendments and of constraining parliamentary participation and opposition activity. It cited the following grievances:
- Continuing constitutional changes without a national consensus
- Blocking more than 50 members of parliament from taking part in sessions
- Intimidation and security pressure on opposition figures
- Defamatory media campaigns targeting council members
The council reiterated that the 2012 Provisional Constitution remains the country’s legal foundation and said any amendments require nationwide consensus and genuine public consultation that preserves the balance of federal powers. The federal government has maintained that the constitutional review process will proceed.
State-level elections and the electoral model
With state contests approaching in Galmudug, Hirshabelle and Southwest, the council said those polls should be conducted in line with existing state constitutions and federal principles. It has advocated indirect elections in the three states, mirroring recent votes in Puntland State and Jubbaland.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has signaled a preference for advancing toward a one-person, one-vote system and has said the administration of state elections rests with the respective state leadership structures. The government has promoted direct voting as its long-term aim.
Clock ticking on federal polls
Another sticking point is timing and administration of Federal Parliament elections. The Future Council called for a political agreement by April 14 covering the process, timetable and management of the national vote, and for that model to be transparent and inclusive. The government has not publicly embraced that deadline.
“The Future Council made it clear that it would not allow ‘a constitutional amendment, a snap election, or an extension of the term,’” the statement said, adding that the alliance views its role as defending the constitution, federalism and negotiated elections.
Despite the breakdown, the council said it remains open to “genuine and fruitful dialogue” aimed at reaching an electoral agreement before the current mandates expire and halting unilateral constitutional changes.
What’s next
Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe, a senior member of the council, returned to Kismayo following the announcement, underscoring the fragility of the talks. The federal government has not issued detailed remarks on the outcome but indicated that further engagement remains possible.
With the end of the term approaching, the impasse leaves Somalia’s political actors with little time to reconcile differences over constitutional review and the path to elections. Whether the parties can agree on rules, timing and administration in the coming weeks will determine if the country avoids a dispute over legitimacy as mandates lapse.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
