Somalia: Hassan Sheikh Insists Election Talks Must Follow Regional Votes

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud whose term ended in May this year is maintaining that his administration's term remains constitutionally legitimate and that discussions on the process for the next federal election should only begin after planned regional elections in Galmudug and Hirshabelle, according to sources.

The report said Mohamud had conveyed the position to members of his political camp and international representatives, arguing that federal election discussions could proceed once elections had been completed in Jowhar, the capital of Hirshabelle, and Dhusamareb, the capital of Galmudug.

According to the report, the president is also open to reviving a National Consultative Council process after the regional elections, potentially bringing back Puntland and Jubaland, which previously withdrew from the forum.

The proposal has raised concerns among opponents that the sequencing of regional and federal elections could lead to further delays in the country's electoral timetable.

Somalia has been embroiled in a prolonged political dispute over the electoral process, with the federal government and opposition groups divided over the timing, framework and inclusiveness of the next national vote.

The report also said Mohamud has been working to strengthen alliances with politicians who share interests in the country's political power-sharing arrangements.

Several days earlier, he reportedly rejected efforts to exclude the opposition from discussions on the electoral process, including talks facilitated by Western countries.

The president's position comes as political tensions remain high over Somalia's transition toward direct elections and disagreements between the federal government, federal member states and opposition groups.

Puntland and Jubaland have been among the strongest critics of the federal government's approach to electoral and constitutional reforms, while opposition figures have called for an inclusive political process involving all major stakeholders.

The federal government has maintained that its electoral reforms are intended to establish a more direct voting system and strengthen democratic institutions.

Critics, however, have raised concerns over the timing of the reforms and whether political disagreements could delay the national electoral process.

The reported position attributed to Mohamud suggests that the dispute over the sequencing of regional and federal elections is likely to remain a central issue in Somalia's political negotiations in the coming months.

GAROWE ONLINE