Differences have emerged during the ongoing elections talks in Mogadishu between Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member States.
Reports from multiple sources at the talks indicate that the two sides are yet to reach any agreement on some of the most contentious issues.
The talks were organized between FGS and FMS leaders to find common solutions to the issues likely to impede timely and credible elections in the country.
One issue that remains unresolved is the management of elections.
President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo wants the National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) to continue managing the elections.
However, that presents a problem since NIEC indicated that the earliest it could organize elections would be March 2021.
The issue of the number of delegates to elect their representatives also remains unresolved.
During Dhusamareb III talks in August, leaders agreed on a model that allows 301 delegates to vote in the elections.
However, Puntland’s President Said Abdullahi Deni and Jubbaland’s Ahmed Islam Madobe believe that the number is too high. Instead, they prefer to limit it to between 100 and 150.