Standoff Threatens Somalia’s Election Talks, UN Calls for Urgent Dialogue

MOGADISHU, Somalia — The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) on Sunday called on Somalia’s federal government and regional leaders to prioritize dialogue on elections and other national issues, after a security dispute prevented delegations from Puntland and Jubaland from reaching the capital for a planned consultative forum.

In a statement posted on social media, UNTMIS expressed regret that preparatory teams from Puntland and Jubaland were unable to travel to Mogadishu due to missing technical clearances. The mission urged both sides to resolve the impasse quickly to allow talks to proceed.

“We urge rapid completion of the preparatory work by the technical teams, and further efforts by the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali Future Council leadership to create favourable conditions to convene the dialogue and reach agreement,” the statement said.

The intervention comes amid rising political tensions ahead of the expiration of key constitutional mandates and renewed efforts to address Somalia’s long-running electoral disputes.

Earlier, the federal government refused to allow two planes carrying security personnel for the presidents of Jubaland and Puntland to land at Aden Adde International Airport, citing security concerns. Officials said the move was necessary to maintain stability in the capital as leaders prepared to attend the consultative forum.

The Ministry of Interior said the aircraft were carrying armed personnel and weapons in violation of established security protocols governing Mogadishu and its international airport. Authorities said the restrictions reflected the government’s constitutional duty to safeguard public safety and preserve recent security gains.

Federal officials said they had approved a limited security presence for visiting leaders, allowing up to 30 uniformed guards and 10 plainclothes personnel per president. They accused both Jubaland and Puntland of attempting to deploy more than 100 security personnel each, which officials said posed a serious threat to national security.

The government warned it would not tolerate actions that undermine security or involve the use or threat of force to achieve political objectives, saying any uncoordinated armed movement into the capital would be treated as a direct challenge to national sovereignty.

UNTMIS’ appeal highlights growing concern among international partners that deepening mistrust between the federal government and key regional administrations could derail efforts to reach consensus on elections and governance during a critical phase of Somalia’s fragile political transition.

GAROWE ONLINE