MOGADISHU — A deepening disagreement over the venue for high-stakes electoral talks has emerged between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the opposition coalition known as the Somali Future Council (Golaha Mustaqbalka), threatening to delay critical negotiations as mandates near their expiration.
While political leaders remain deadlocked, members of the federal parliament convened on Saturday to continue deliberations on controversial constitutional amendments.
Villa Somalia vs. Halane
The standoff centers on the location for internationally supported dialogue designed to address the nation’s forthcoming elections. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his allies are insisting that discussions occur at the presidential palace, Villa Somalia.
However, Council leaders, including Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe, are demanding that negotiations be conducted within the fortified Halane base at the airport.
Opposition figures argue that Halane, protected by African Union peacekeepers, is the only setting that guarantees their safety and offers a neutral environment free from Villa Somalia’s influence.
The mistrust was exacerbated earlier this week when security forces briefly blocked several opposition figures, including former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, from entering the Halane compound. While Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre later visited these leaders to de-escalate tensions, the incident has hardened the opposition’s stance.
Behind-the-Scenes Diplomacy
With President Hassan Sheikh currently in Addis Ababa for the African Union summit, lower-level engagements are ongoing.
Reports indicate that NISA Director Mahad Salad met with the presidents of Jubaland and Puntland at their airport accommodations on Sunday, though details of the conversation remain undisclosed.
Observers warn that if the venue dispute is not resolved quickly, discussions could be pushed past the holy month of Ramadan, dangerously shortening the window to resolve electoral disputes before federal terms expire in April and May 2026.
Parliament Continues Work
Despite the political friction, the Federal Parliament proceeded with its legislative agenda on Saturday.
In a joint session presided over by Deputy Speaker of the Upper House Ali Shacbaan Ibraahim, lawmakers continued deliberations on Chapter Six of the Provisional Constitution, specifically reviewing Articles 80 to 95.
Critics view the continuation of the constitutional review process in the absence of a political consensus as a divisive move, with opposition parliamentarians largely absent from recent proceedings.
