The long-anticipated National Consultative Council (NCC) summit officially commenced on Tuesday in Mogadishu, with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud presiding over the opening session. The high-level summit brings together leaders from the Federal Government and Federal Member States to address critical national issues.
Notably absent from the forum are the presidents of Puntland and Jubbaland, who opted not to participate, signaling ongoing political rifts and governance challenges within the federal system. In a significant development, the leader of SSC-Khaatumo—a region seeking recognition within Somalia’s federal framework—was in attendance, marking a potential shift in regional political dynamics.
The forum’s agenda includes a broad range of urgent national matters: the deteriorating security situation, ongoing political developments, and the worsening humanitarian crisis impacting millions of Somalis due to conflict, displacement, and climate-related shocks. The summit is seen as a pivotal opportunity for dialogue, consensus-building, and coordination among Somali stakeholders at a time of national fragility.