Monday June 16, 2025

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s federal government has delayed the opening of its national consultation forum by one day, as opposition parties call for greater transparency and demand the inclusion of all federal member states.

Originally slated for Sunday, the forum has been rescheduled for Monday in Mogadishu, according to state media. Government officials cited logistical preparations as the reason for the postponement, while critics say deeper political disagreements remain unresolved.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced the forum on June 5, describing it as a Somali-led platform to address critical national issues—including constitutional reform, the electoral roadmap, federalism, and long-term security—through broad-based participation. Organized by a special committee, the conference aims to be an inclusive, transparent, and consultative process that involves civil society, traditional elders, and political stakeholders.

In the lead-up to the meeting, Mohamud held a series of consultations with civil society groups, political party leaders, and elders in an effort to generate buy-in. “We want this forum to be a platform for honest dialogue—not limited to politicians, but open to all segments of Somali society,” he said during a meeting with civil society representatives in early June.

But opposition groups remain skeptical. Several political parties, including those affiliated with the Somali Salvation Forum, issued a joint statement calling for specific preconditions before the talks could proceed. Among their demands: a jointly organized technical committee to set the forum’s agenda and timeline, a commitment to focus solely on constitutional and electoral matters, and full inclusion of all federal member state leaders.

“The president’s call must not become another symbolic gesture,” the opposition said in a statement. “Without genuine guarantees of inclusivity and transparency, this forum risks repeating the mistakes of the past.”

The absence of Puntland and Jubaland leaders has raised questions about the forum’s national legitimacy. Both states have maintained a strained relationship with the federal government, particularly after Puntland rejected controversial constitutional amendments passed by parliament in 2024 and subsequently suspended its cooperation with Mogadishu.

Puntland announced earlier this month that it would not attend. President Said Abdullahi Deni expressed deep skepticism over the forum, dismissing it as a “fruitless” exercise and calling instead for a more substantive national summit involving federal and regional leaders, former presidents, and influential political figures. 

Speaking on Sunday, Deni said Somalia does not need consultative gatherings where decisions are predetermined by one side, but rather joint decision-making forums where all parties share responsibility. 

“Somalia needs real dialogue that leads to joint decisions, not unilateral declarations,” Deni said Sunday, suggesting that the government should first secure consensus with regional leaders before moving forward.

He further called for international partners to continue their support, noting that the National Consultative Council (NCC) has become defunct and should be replaced by a broader, consensus-based mechanism to address Somalia’s political challenges.

Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe has not publicly commented on whether he will attend, and his administration has previously boycotted federal-level discussions over perceived marginalization.

Traditional elders have urged all parties to participate. In a statement issued Sunday, they warned that political fragmentation could derail Somalia’s path toward constitutional settlement and democratic reform. “This forum is a vital opportunity to unify, not divide,” the elders said.

The national consultation forum comes as the country is preparing for a new electoral cycle ahead of the 2026 elections and faces increasing pressure from both domestic and international actors to finalize the provisional constitution and build a more transparent and inclusive political framework.