Somalia: Outgoing PM Heads to Dhusamareb for Talks on Galmudug Election Standoff

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre is scheduled to travel to Dhusamareeb, the capital of the Galmudug State, amid escalating political tensions between regional President Ahmed Abdi Karie (Qoorqoor) and the federal government in Villa Somalia.

Reliable sources confirmed the Prime Minister's upcoming visit, stating its primary objective is to mediate and resolve the deepening political rift in Galmudug.

In recent days, Barre has been conducting a series of consultative meetings in Mogadishu aimed at defusing the situation, reportedly working in coordination with Mahad Salad, the director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).

Preparations to welcome the Prime Minister are currently underway in Dhusamareeb, according to local journalists, where Barre is expected to immediately begin high-level talks.

According to the itinerary, Barre will meet with President Qoorqoor, who has recently distanced himself from the federal presidency due to disagreements over the framework of the upcoming Galmudug regional elections.

The Core Conflict: The federal government in Villa Somalia is reportedly pushing for a political shift in Galmudug, aiming to back a candidate from the JSP in the July presidential election. Local speculation points to businessman Liban Ahmed Hassan, known as Liban Shuluq, as the potential federal favorite, provided Mogadishu's stance remains unchanged.

Conversely, the Galmudug constitution permits Qoorqoor to run for a second term, creating a sharp divide between local leadership and federal ambitions.

Residents in Galmudug are closely watching the developments, with many expressing concern that the ongoing friction poses a significant threat to the state's stability and social cohesion. The Somali government deployed troops to Dhusamareeb city in an attempt to take full control of the Federal State.

GAROWE ONLINE