Somalia: Somali Future Council Calls ‘Salvation’ Summit as Election Deadlock Looms

MOGADISHU, Somalia — The Somali Future Council [SFC] announced Saturday it will convene a "national salvation" summit on April 10, accusing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of blocking an agreement on the country's elections as key constitutional deadlines loom.

The council, a coalition of Puntland, Jubaland leaders, ex-president, PMs, federal MPs, politicians, and civil society leaders, issued the statement following a high-level meeting in Mogadishu on Friday.

The SFC warned that the mandates for both houses of the Federal Parliament are set to expire on April 14, creating a potential power vacuum.

In a communique, the council alleged that the presidency and the leadership of both parliamentary chambers have violated the constitution and internal parliamentary rules. Specifically, the group pointed to a breach of Article 134, which governs the legal process for constitutional amendments.

The council also claimed that more than 50 lawmakers have been "illegally barred" from attending parliamentary sessions due to their opposition to the ongoing constitutional review process.

Beyond the federal level, the Somali Future Council raised alarms over expired mandates within regional states. The group argued that the lack of certainty surrounding regional elections threatens a peaceful political transition for the country.

The council called for the immediate holding of regional elections in accordance with their respective constitutions and federal principles regarding the separation of powers.

GAROWE ONLINE