Mogadishu, Somalia – Opposition leaders in Somalia have unanimously agreed to participate in a significant political conference scheduled for December 17 in Kismayo, bringing together leaders from Jubbaland and Puntland alongside numerous politicians and civil society representatives for discussions considered crucial to the nation’s political trajectory.
The consensus emerged during a gathering in Mogadishu on Saturday, according to attendees, with Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe connecting remotely. The leaders emphasized their willingness to approach the conference as a united front, highlighting the pressing need for synchronized opposition involvement during a period of national instability.
This announcement comes amid several days of speculation suggesting the event might be delayed due to alleged interference by Kenyan authorities acting on behalf of Somalia’s federal government. Opposition representatives rejected these claims, clarifying that conference arrangements were moving forward as scheduled.
The Kismayo discussions are anticipated to center exclusively on Somalia’s upcoming elections, an issue of growing contention.
Federal authorities in Mogadishu have maintained their commitment to conducting a universal suffrage election within five months, notwithstanding inadequate logistical preparations and ongoing security and governance obstacles.
According to critics, the federal government’s practical authority extends primarily to the capital, casting uncertainty on the viability and legitimacy of a nationwide election within the suggested timeframe.
Beyond representatives from the Somali Salvation Forum, the principal opposition alliance, the conference is anticipated to attract politicians from Somalia’s divided political landscape and influential civil society figures.
Former President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo has not yet confirmed his attendance, despite his presence in Mogadishu during the past few weeks.
Both organizers and attendees indicate that the purpose of the Kismayo conference is to establish a unified stance regarding the electoral process and prevent what many anticipate could develop into a disruptive political impasse as Somalia manages a delicate transition characterized by security risks, regional conflicts, and differing electoral frameworks.
