Mogadishu, Somalia— Hopes for a political breakthrough dimmed on Wednesday after the fifth round of talks between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and leaders of the Somali Salvation Forum ended without agreement.
The meeting, which began in a cordial atmosphere marked by smiles and public displays of goodwill, was seen as a key opportunity to bridge deep political divides between the federal government and the opposition alliance. The Somali Salvation Forum has been pressing for reforms on governance, electoral processes, and power-sharing arrangements, while also voicing concerns over security and political freedoms.
Despite initial optimism, sources close to the discussions confirmed that the two sides were unable to reconcile their positions on core issues. Neither camp provided details of the sticking points, but both reiterated a commitment to continue dialogue.
In a brief statement after the talks, Villa Somalia said the President remains open to “constructive engagement” with all political stakeholders, while the Forum emphasized the need for “genuine concessions” to resolve Somalia’s political stalemate.
The failure to reach an agreement underscores the persistent challenges facing Somalia’s fragile political landscape, with tensions over governance and opposition participation coinciding with ongoing security threats from Al-Shabaab and regional instability.
Analysts warn that the absence of progress risks deepening political polarization ahead of upcoming electoral milestones, potentially complicating efforts to maintain stability and implement long-term reforms.
It remains unclear when the sixth round of talks will take place.