Somalia’s Future Council sets one-month deadline for President Mohamud to convene election talks

KISMAYO, Somalia — A coalition of Somali opposition leaders on Saturday gave President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud one month to convene an inclusive national dialogue on elections, warning they will move to organize an alternative process if he fails to act by Jan. 20, 2026.

In a communiqué issued after a three-day meeting in Kismayo from Dec. 18–20, the Somali Future Council (SFC) said an urgent, consensus-based agreement is needed to avert a “constitutional vacuum, security crisis and the threat of terrorism.” The newly formed political alliance urged the president to bring together all national stakeholders to agree on a credible timeline and framework for the next polls.

The statement sharply criticized Hassan Sheikh’s administration, accusing it of failing on governance, security and development. “The conference agreed that President Hassan Sheikh has changed the country’s Constitution, hijacked constitutional institutions meant to balance executive power, and allowed some federal member states to remain in office beyond their legal terms, representing a major shift in Somalia’s political system,” the communiqué said.

On security, the SFC claimed the campaign against the Al-Shabaab insurgency has stalled and alleged the government’s approach has weakened the armed forces. “The poor policies of the president and his government have resulted in security failure and a loss of morale within the armed forces, driven by corruption, favoritism, and abuse of power,” the statement read.

The alliance also blamed the administration for deepening economic and humanitarian strain, citing what it described as widespread corruption, forced displacement of vulnerable communities, the sale of public land and eroding confidence among domestic and foreign investors.

While leveling strong accusations, the SFC said it is prepared to engage Hassan Sheikh in talks to design a negotiated and transparent election that advances beyond the 2022 model, “strengthens local representation and the legitimacy of parliament,” and delivers an efficient process acceptable to major political actors.

The council rejected ongoing electoral steps in the Banadir region, which includes the capital, Mogadishu, characterizing them as a one-party exercise that divides the population and infringes on citizens’ rights. It argued the process is unconstitutional given the unresolved legal status of the capital. The warning comes as the National Independent Electoral Commission prepares one-person, one-vote local council elections in Benadir on Dec. 25, 2025 — a milestone the government has promoted as proof of democratic progress.

The SFC further urged leaders of federal member states whose mandates have expired to organize elections for their institutions in line with their constitutions and electoral laws, and to participate in efforts to secure credible, timely national elections.

Formed in October, the Somali Future Council brings together the leaders of Puntland State and Jubaland alongside members of the Somali Salvation Forum. The alliance aims to coordinate positions on political and security issues, including the road to 2026 elections, and has signaled it will not accept a national vote conducted without broad consensus.

At the core of the dispute are the election model, timing, security conditions, constitutional amendments and who manages the process. Political analysts warn that moving ahead without the participation of major stakeholders could harden divisions and generate new political dynamics, increasing the risk of post-election unrest. They say a consensus-based framework remains the most viable path to preserving stability and legitimacy as Somalia seeks to consolidate its electoral system.

Hassan Sheikh’s office has not publicly responded to the communiqué. The SFC’s deadline and the impending Benadir vote set up a contentious political calendar in the coming weeks, with significant implications for Somalia’s security and governance if talks fail to materialize or fragment further.

By Ali Musa

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.