MOGADISHU — The Federal Cabinet of Somalia, acting upon the recommendation of President H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has formally extended an invitation to the Somali Future Council (Golaha Mustaqbalka Soomaaliyeed) to participate in upcoming national dialogues.
As part of continuous initiatives to enhance national unity and foster a democratic process rooted in consultation, the administration announced plans for a National Consultative Forum. The event is scheduled to commence on February 1, 2026, in Mogadishu.
To facilitate the process, a ministerial committee has been established to oversee the forum’s organization, chaired by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, H.E. Hassan Moallin Mahmoud Sheikh Ali.
Full Text of the Official Invitation
Below is the full translation of the official statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister:
The Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia, acting on the recommendation of the President of the Republic, Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, extends an official invitation to the Somali Future Council (Golaha Mustaqbalka Soomaaliyeed).
Furthermore, the Government, considering the efforts to strengthen the unity of the people and the cohesion of the country, the implementation of a democracy based on consultation and compromise, and while referencing Article 6 of the declaration of the Somali Future Council, announces a national consultation forum which will open on 1st February 2026, to be held in the city of Mogadishu.
The Government has assigned the organization of the conference to a committee of ministers led by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Mr. Hassan Moalin Mohamud Sheikh Ali. It calls upon the Somali Future Council to nominate their representatives responsible for the organization of the conference so that the agendas can be jointly analyzed, ensuring the conference becomes fruitful.
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Potential Delays and Political Obstacles
Despite the scheduled date, political analysts and observers remain skeptical that the forum will convene on time, citing significant hurdles in bringing all stakeholders to the table. A primary concern is the participation of key regional actors; the Presidents of Puntland and Jubaland are widely considered unlikely to travel to Mogadishu given the current political climate and ongoing rifts with the Federal Government.
Furthermore, deep disagreements persist regarding the composition of the participants. The Somali Future Council has reportedly expressed strong reservations about a open-ended attendance list, insisting that independent politician should not be included and this event to be exclusively between the Federal Government an the Somali Future Council. This demand for exclusivity is likely to cause deadlock before talks even begin.
Additionally, determining the scope of the forum is expected to be a contentious issue. Sources indicate that defining the agenda will likely involve a long and complicated negotiation process, with parties differing on which constitutional and electoral issues should take precedence. These procedural disputes suggest that the February 1st timeline may be optimistic as pre-talks regarding the agenda and guest list are likely to drag on.
