Over the past two nights, closed-door meetings have taken place in Mogadishu between government security chiefs and opposition leaders, with the media excluded from the discussions.
The first meeting was held at the Mogadishu residence of former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble. He was accompanied by former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, and CCW. Government officials attending the meeting included the commanders of the Somali National Army, the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), the Police Force, and the Chairman of the Military Court.
The officials, who were carrying a message from Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, conveyed the President’s request to the opposition, urging them to participate collectively in the national dialogue forum he has proposed, which is expected to take place in the middle of this month.
The opposition leaders, who are united under the Salvation Forum, focused their discussions on strengthening political dialogue and creating an atmosphere conducive to reaching an understanding on security issues and the future of the country’s elections.
The security officials and the Future Council reportedly agreed on the importance of working together to maintain security, fight Al-Shabaab, and participate in peaceful elections free from political unrest.
On the second night, the commanders visited the Mogadishu residence of former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and conveyed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s request for him to participate in the proposed dialogue forum.
Farmaajo welcomed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s request. However, he asked the military officials to ensure that the dialogue forum includes all opposition groups. He also requested that the dialogue efforts facilitated by the international community should continue.
These meetings come amid concerns that the dialogue forum proposed by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud could fail to take place following opposition from the Future Council, which brings together many of the country’s leading opposition figures. This situation prompted the security officials to intensify their efforts to reinforce the President’s call for dialogue.
Last month, the National Electoral Commission announced that the country was heading towards elections. The commission also announced the scheduled dates for the parliamentary and presidential elections, setting May 15, 2027, as the date for holding the elections.
