Political apparatchiks in Somalia are still sweating over the country’s protracted transition which reached a stalemate on Friday.
The conclusion of the three-day talks on Friday coincided with the official end of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s four-year term.
Sticking points such as the nature of future elections and the provisions of the constitution seemed too challenging to resolve as federal authorities met stiff opposition from a hardline section of the opposition.
Somalia has long resorted to a traditional clan-based voting system which the federal government is keen on replacing with one-person vote. Regional leaders of the Somali federation led by Puntland and Jubaaland distrust the central government’s motive of extendng its term, accusing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his supporters of attempting a power grab. They argue that amending the constitution was made without the consent or participation of regional governments.
International stakeholders such as the African Union (AU) Commission and the United Nations have expressed concern over the end of three-day political negotiations between the Somali federal government and opposition groups without reaching consensus.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the continental bloc said that it was closely following the high-level negotiations between the federal authorities and representatives of the Somali Future Council, convened in Mogadishu from 13 to 15 May 2026, related to the transition process.
The AUC cautioned against the entrenchment of divergent positions and called upon all political stakeholders to promptly recommit to an inclusive and substantive political dialogue through genuine negotiation, mutual compromise, and strict adherence to constitutional order.
Equally concerned, the United Nations on Saturday urged Somali leaders to continue dialogue after the failure to resolve key political disputes related to the transition process.
The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) welcomed the stated commitment by both sides to continue efforts to find a constructive way forward.
“As Somalia enters a period of transition, UNTMIS hopes that, during this phase, the Federal Government of Somalia will prioritize engaging all stakeholders to build consensus around an electoral model that is practical and unifying,” the UN mission said in a statement.
President Mohamud’s political circle appears to be thinning thanks to his former allies opposing his bid to extend his term in office as Somalia remains deadlocked over how to proceed with the political transition which should culminate in landmark elections.
WN/as/APA