Somalia: Farmajo sets date for meeting with FMS leaders, identifies 5-point agenda for talks

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MOGADISHU, Somalia - The leaders of the Federal Member States and Federal Government of Somalia will meet for the first time in a year, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo announced on Wednesday, in a meeting at least five points have been enlisted for debate and possible adoption.

The international partners, including European Union and the United States, have been pushing for a face to face meeting between FGS and FMS, but the opposition has been accusing the Villa Somalia of "derailing" efforts to solve a myriad of issues before the next polls.

Early this week, Farmajo held a virtual meeting with federal states' leadership where he agreed to come up with a date and venue for the much-awaited dialogue. In the meeting, federal states called for the suspension of debate surrounding proposals on electoral law until the meeting is convened.

Through a statement released by the office of president, FGS confirmed that the vital meeting will take place from July 5 to 8, three days in Mogadishu, with all the federal leaders and Mogadishu Mayor Omar Filish being special guests.

"President Mohamed Farmaajo will host Federal Member States Presidents and Governor of Banadir Administration in Mogadishu to deliberate on a vast of issues significant to the Federal Republic of Somalia. The leadership has already held a virtual discussion this week," read the statement in part.

According to the statement, both parties are expected to hold a "substantive" meeting which will cover national elections, security, fight against Al-Shabaab militants, constitutional review, and revival of the economy.

But top among those that would probably stir contest from both parties is the controversial electoral law which was effected early this year and has since rattled the opposition and federal states. The FGS has been accused of plotting to extend its term against the constitution.

The parties have also substantively differed on the electoral model that would be used later on this year, despite calls to have universal suffrage. While all parties have endorsed the one-person-one-vote model, the opposition is of the opinion that the status quo remains due to limited time before the elections.

Per the group, the universal suffrage model should be applied in subsequent elections after December because the country is yet to "register voters". Also lined up for robust debate is the proposed representation for both Somaliland and Banadir regions.

Despite a suggestion by federal states that the critical electoral proposals be halted until the meeting is held, the Lower House has continued to enact some of them. On Wednesday, Senate Speaker Abdi Hashi insisted that the proposals from the ad-hoc committee have been "substantially" mutilated.

The fight against terrorism also comes amid increased also attacks across Puntland, Jubaland, HirShabelle, Southwest, Galmadug, and Banadir region, which hosts Mogadishu. For instance, the militants raided a Turkish-run military base on Tuesday leaving one person dead.

A report by the US State Department on Wednesday also raised doubts about the capacity of the Somali National Army [SNA] to counter the militants. Somalia, the US said, has been unable to implement serious security reforms despite having the urge to do so.

"I am convinced a strong Somali state with functional control over the whole country impossible without a peace settlement," says Rashid Abdi, a security analyst. "Defeating Al-Shabaab is impossible. The alternative to a forever war is engagement, power-sharing. Risky, deeply fraught, uncertain but only viable option."

On the economy, the controversial signing of Petroleum Law would likely reemerge during the meeting, following protests by certain member states. The Forum for National Parties, which is the defacto opposition party, warned international oil firms on Wednesday against "signing shoddy" oil deals with Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE

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