MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s government said Monday it will not, under any circumstances, abandon its push for a universal suffrage election after talks aimed at breaking a political deadlock over upcoming presidential and parliamentary votes collapsed.
The discussions between the federal government and the Somali Future Council – a grouping that brings together a wide array of political stakeholders – had sought to resolve disagreements over the electoral process. The council comprises the presidents of Jubaland and Puntland, as well as opposition figures.
Responding to a post on X by the U.N. political mission in Somalia, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Omar said that while the government remains ready for dialogue, the principle of universal suffrage is nonnegotiable.
“The Federal Government remains open to dialogue, compromise on modalities, and broad national consultation. But on the principle of universal suffrage, our direction is firm. Somalia’s democratic evolution cannot be indefinitely postponed,” he said.
The statement came after the country’s international partners expressed disappointment at the collapse of the talks between the federal government and the Somali Future Council.
The breakdown in negotiations leaves unresolved tensions over the framework for the forthcoming elections, even as the government insists it will continue to pursue a one-person, one-vote system.
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