UN supports planned talks between Somali government and opposition groups

Monday May 4, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) has backed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s call for talks with the Somali Future Council, adding fresh international weight to efforts to ease mounting political tensions as his term nears its end.

In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday, the mission urged all sides to approach the May 10 meeting in Mogadishu with a spirit of compromise and mutual responsibility, saying Somalia’s national interests must come first.

“UNTMIS welcomes the Federal Government of Somalia’s invitation to the Somali Future Council for a meeting aimed at jointly finding a way forward on critical national priorities,” the mission said. “We renew our call for all parties involved to participate in further dialogue constructively and in good faith, with the interest of all Somalis as the foremost consideration. Together with other partners, UNTMIS stands ready to support Somali efforts to resolve outstanding issues.”

The statement comes after similar endorsements from other international partners, including the United Kingdom and the European Union. Earlier, UK Ambassador to Somalia Charles King and EU Ambassador Francesca Di Mauro both welcomed the federal government’s invitation to the Somali Future Council.

According to a presidential statement released Saturday, the invitation was issued after President Hassan Sheikh held consultations with a range of sectors across society. The proposed meeting is expected to address major national issues, among them Somalia’s political future and the electoral process.

The timing is critical: fewer than two weeks remain before the president’s current term expires on May 15, and no agreement has yet been reached on either the electoral model or the timetable.