MOGADISHU — Under intense pressure from international partners, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has consented to permit heavily armed security details from Jubaland and Puntland to enter Mogadishu for the upcoming electoral talks.
Villa Somalia has reportedly agreed that each of the two regional leaders may bring up to 50 presidential guards without limitations on the type of weaponry they carry.
Significant Policy Reversal
This decision represents a rapid policy shift from just 24 hours prior, when the federal government ordered the redirection of two aircraft carrying advance security teams from the regions. At the time, officials justified the move by citing concerns about the capital’s stability and public image.
However, on Monday, the federal government embraced the arrangement it had previously dismissed. Leaders from Jubaland and Puntland had characterized the earlier flight ban as an attempt to obstruct negotiations intended to resolve the prolonged electoral deadlock.
Venue Dispute and New Demands
Despite this concession, political tensions remain elevated. Disagreements persist regarding the venue for the high-stakes meeting. Reports suggest President Mohamud is insisting that talks occur at the presidential palace, while opposition figures and regional leaders are demanding the meeting convene at the Halane base, which houses foreign diplomatic missions and is protected by African Union peacekeepers.
Furthermore, local media sources indicate that the regional presidents are now declining to participate in any discussions until the federal government issues a formal apology for turning back their advance teams last Sunday. The Puntland leadership has notably escalated its rhetoric, characterizing the flight diversion incident as a “criminal act” and an “assassination attempt.”
The standoff highlights the precarious nature of efforts to resolve Somalia’s political crisis, even as international stakeholders continue to push for immediate dialogue and compromise.
