UN and partners meet Somali leaders after government-opposition talks collapse

MOGADISHU — The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) and other international partners met Monday with senior representatives of the Federal Government of Somalia and the opposition-aligned Somali Future Council, hours after high-level political talks collapsed without agreement as constitutional deadlines approach.

In a statement posted on social media, UNTMIS said it was disappointed the two sides had not reached a deal in the discussions held so far. “Along with other partners, UNTMIS leadership met earlier today with senior representatives of both the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali Future Council,” the mission said, adding that it welcomed each side’s stated commitment to continue efforts toward a resolution.

“We strongly encourage further dialogue in good faith. Together with other partners, we stand ready to assist Somali efforts to find a workable compromise on the outstanding issues,” the statement added.

The latest talks faltered over core questions shaping the transition: the electoral model, the sequencing and management of federal and state elections, and the ongoing constitutional review process. With mandates for federal institutions set to expire in roughly three months, the failure to secure a roadmap increases pressure for a negotiated settlement that can uphold timelines and preserve institutional legitimacy.

The Somali Future Council has accused the government of advancing unilateral constitutional amendments during negotiations and of preventing more than 50 lawmakers from attending parliamentary sessions. It also alleged intimidation and political pressure against its members. The government has not publicly addressed those claims in detail.

Key points:

• Talks collapsed without agreement, prompting swift outreach by UNTMIS and partners to both camps.
• Disputes focus on the electoral model, election sequencing and management, and the constitutional review process.
• Mandates for federal institutions expire in about three months, heightening urgency for a deal.
• The Future Council alleges unilateral moves and pressure tactics by the government; authorities have not offered a detailed public response.

International engagement underscores concern that protracted deadlock could fuel political instability if a consensus on elections and constitutional matters is not reached before the current mandates lapse. Diplomats and observers say shuttle efforts by partners are likely to intensify in the coming days as mediators seek to reestablish a framework for dialogue that both sides can accept.

For now, the pathway back to the table hinges on whether the parties can narrow differences on who oversees the vote, how the sequencing between federal and state processes is structured, and what guardrails apply to constitutional changes before the transition. UNTMIS’s message — that it stands ready to assist but expects good-faith engagement — aims to keep channels open while the window for compromise remains.

Both sides have signaled willingness, in principle, to continue talks. With timelines compressing and the risk of a governance gap rising, the next round of engagement will test whether the parties can translate that stated commitment into concrete steps toward a workable, legally grounded electoral and constitutional settlement.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.

Tuesday February 24, 2026