MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s federal government and the Somali Future Council are locked in an intensifying standoff over the venue for internationally backed talks aimed at resolving a protracted impasse over the country’s upcoming elections.
The dispute, centered not on substance but on setting, underscores the depth of mistrust between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and an alliance of regional leaders and opposition figures that includes the presidents of Jubaland and Puntland.
Mr. Mohamud and his team insist that the talks be held at the presidential palace, known as Villa Somalia. Council leaders, however, are demanding that negotiations take place at the heavily fortified Halane base inside Mogadishu’s airport. They argue that the federal government cannot be trusted to guarantee their security after years of acrimony that at times escalated into armed confrontations.
Halane, secured by African Union peacekeepers and home to foreign diplomatic missions, is viewed by council leaders as the only venue insulated from the influence of Villa Somalia and therefore the only setting capable of providing a credible and neutral environment for talks.
The deadlock over location has already slowed momentum. Mr. Mohamud is attending the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, and journalists say that if the delay extends into Ramadan, negotiations could be postponed until after the holy month, effectively pushing discussions back by another month.
In a sign of quiet maneuvering behind the scenes, Somalia’s intelligence chief, Mahad Salad, visited the presidents of Jubaland and Puntland at their hotels inside the Mogadishu airport complex on Sunday. The substance of those discussions has not been disclosed.
Even if talks convene, analysts say the atmosphere is likely to be fraught. Both sides remain entrenched in their positions, and Mr. Mohamud appears determined to advance his broader political agenda. That includes a contentious debate in Parliament over constitutional amendments, a process currently being carried out by lawmakers aligned with Villa Somalia. Opposition members of Parliament have been barred from entering the chamber.
The impasse has deepened concerns that the internationally encouraged dialogue, should it begin at all, will unfold under severe strain. With neither side signaling willingness to compromise on the venue – a proxy for deeper political distrust – the prospects for a breakthrough appear slim.
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