Two opposition figures—former Banadir Regional Governor Thaabit Cabdi and Member of Parliament Mohamed Abukar Islow (Ducaale)—have rejected the letter that the Future Council (Golaha Mustaqbalka) sent to the international community, which has generated widespread public debate.
In a statement, Islow Ducaale said:
“I was very surprised by a document said to have been issued by the Future Council, in which the international community was asked to establish a transitional council for Somalia.
If that document is authentic, it is deeply regrettable that there are people who aspire to lead this country while seeking to return Somalia to a period of transitional rule.”
Meanwhile, Thaabit Cabdi said:
“Statehood is not something that can be discarded lightly, nor should we return to a transitional arrangement.
Accepting the weakening of our state’s legitimacy, only to later seek international recognition and a new political framework again, would be a major setback. If the proposal to establish a transitional council that takes over the country’s leadership is brought to negotiations, it could set Somalia back by 15 years.
A better approach—and one that serves the national interest—is to negotiate with the current leaders whose constitutional terms are disputed and reach a compromise through mutual concessions by both sides.”
