MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday held his first meeting with opposition leaders, including former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, in a significant step toward dialogue over the country’s ongoing electoral dispute.
The meeting took place at Villa Somalia, the presidential palace, following mounting international pressure to resolve the crisis through dialogue.
In a statement, Villa Somalia said the meeting was part of the president’s commitment to engaging with the opposition on key issues, including constitutional amendments and the electoral process. Despite this outreach, President Mohamud and his administration continue to insist on holding a one-person, one-vote election—an approach that the opposition questions, citing the federal government’s limited control outside the capital, Mogadishu.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre reaffirmed the government’s stance, stating that Somalia would not revert to its traditional indirect electoral system. Under that model, which has produced the country’s last six presidents, parliamentarians—selected by clan elders—choose the head of state.
President Mohamud has consistently reiterated that there will be no reversal on the decision to abandon the indirect voting system. However, opposition figures and leaders of federal member states such as Jubaland and Puntland have called for an inclusive electoral process that is based on national consensus.
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