Somalia: Opposition Boycotts Hassan Sheikh's Talks Over Lack of International Mediation

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia's main opposition alliance, the Somali Future Council, has decided to boycott talks convened by the term-ended President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, deepening a political standoff over efforts to resolve a dispute surrounding the country's electoral process.

The council has reportedly informed an international mediation quartet comprising the United States, Britain, the European Union and Turkey that it would not attend the proposed meeting scheduled for Saturday, November 14, at the presidential palace in Mogadishu.

However, the opposition alliance has indicated that it remains open to negotiations, provided they are conducted under the facilitation of the four international partners rather than at Villa Somalia, the seat of the Somali presidency.

The decision represents a setback for Hassan Sheikh's efforts to bring government officials and opposition leaders together for national consultations aimed at addressing major political disagreements, particularly constitutional amendments and preparations for the next elections.

The president had invited several political groups, including the Somali Future Council, the Nabad iyo Nolol party, the National Unity Forum and the Civil Society Coalition, to participate in the consultations scheduled to run from November 14 to 18.

The proposed dialogue comes amid persistent disagreements between the federal government and opposition figures over constitutional changes, the electoral framework and the mandates of federal institutions.

The Somali Future Council, which includes former presidents Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire and the leaders of Puntland and Jubaland, has repeatedly called for a negotiated political settlement.

The alliance has opposed the government's approach to constitutional amendments and the proposed transition to a direct electoral system, arguing that major political decisions should be reached through broad-based consensus.

Meanwhile, two other opposition formations are expected to hold separate consultations on Friday evening to determine whether they will participate in Saturday's proposed talks.

One group is led by former prime minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, while the other comprises political figures aligned with former president Farmaajo.

Their decisions could influence the level of opposition participation in the consultations and determine whether the meeting proceeds with representatives from outside the government.

The international quartet has been viewed by opposition figures as a potential facilitator for negotiations, amid growing calls for external involvement to help bridge differences between the rival political camps.

The latest developments come after previous rounds of discussions between the government and opposition failed to produce a substantive agreement, leaving the country facing continued uncertainty over its political transition.

The presidency has said preparations for the national consultations are continuing and that contacts with invited groups remain underway, maintaining that the forum will open in Mogadishu despite the delay to its original schedule.

It remains unclear whether the government will accept the opposition's demand for international facilitation or whether the two sides can agree on a common framework to resume negotiations.

GAROWE ONLINE