Somali opposition warns of political crisis amid failed talks with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
Talks between the president and opposition groups have been part of broader efforts to address disagreements over constitutional reforms, the future of elections, and the structure of Somalia’s federal system.
Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) in Somalia have expressed concern over the lack of progress in ongoing political negotiations with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, warning that continued deadlock could worsen the country's political crisis and reduce public confidence in national governance.
In a joint statement, members of the National Salvation Council (NSC), a political alliance made up of former presidents, prime ministers, and sitting members of parliament, criticised the dialogue process as ineffective and said it has failed to address key national concerns.
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The statement followed a meeting between opposition leaders and the president at Villa Somalia, the official residence of the head of state.
The MPs said that two months of political talks with the president have not produced any meaningful outcomes. They described the most recent meeting as unproductive and said it reflected a broader failure to advance dialogue on important national issues.
“The meetings between the president and the opposition, especially the most recent one, ended in vain and offered little hope,” read part of the statement.
They further noted that the process has reached a political impasse and that the Somali public is becoming increasingly disillusioned.
Talks between the president and opposition groups have been part of broader efforts to address disagreements over constitutional reforms, the future of elections, and the structure of Somalia’s federal system. However, according to the NSC, no consensus has been reached on any of these subjects.
Discussions have stalled over several unresolved issues. These include setting a timeline for upcoming national elections, defining the responsibilities of federal and regional security forces, and determining how power and resources should be shared between the central government and federal member states.
The opposition MPs warned that without progress, there is a growing risk of political instability that could further damage efforts to maintain national unity and development.
“The meeting concluded in deadlock and growing despair,” they said.
One of the key concerns raised was the federal government’s strained relationship with certain federal member states.
Puntland and Jubbaland have publicly opposed the current reform agenda advanced by the central government.
Leaders from both regions argue that the reform process has been carried out without proper consultation and undermines the principles of federalism.
This lack of agreement has further complicated national dialogue and weakened attempts to achieve a unified political vision.
The NSC warned that the current trajectory could deepen political divisions and limit cooperation between different levels of government.
The lawmakers also raised new security concerns, pointing to recent reports of illegal arms entering Somalia. They described this as a threat to national security and the country’s fragile political order.
“The MPs also expressed concern over what they described as illegal arms shipments entering the country. They called for urgent efforts to safeguard Somalia’s future and protect the aspirations of its people,” the statement said.
In light of these developments, the opposition called for the launch of a new dialogue process that includes wider political participation, clear constitutional arrangements, and measures to prevent political and security breakdowns.
They urged all parties to work toward a stable and transparent political agreement that reflects the interests of all regions and communities in Somalia.
The Office of the President has yet to release any official comment on the opposition’s claims or provide any public update on the status of the negotiations.
It remains unclear whether further meetings will be scheduled or adjustments will be made to the negotiation framework.
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