MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s opposition leaders said Thursday they would continue talks with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, following a fifth round of inconclusive talks aimed at resolving a deepening political impasse over the country’s electoral framework and constitutional amendments.
In a statement issued after a meeting in Mogadishu, the opposition coalition reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing all diplomatic avenues to ease political tensions and urged the inclusion of broader political stakeholders, including regional leaders, in future discussions.
At the center of the deadlock are two divisive issues: sweeping amendments made by the federal government to Chapter Four of Somalia’s provisional constitution, and the proposed one-person, one-vote electoral model. Despite multiple high-level meetings, no substantial progress has been made on either front.
“The dialogue so far has not yielded any results,” the opposition said in its communiqué, characterizing the five rounds of talks as stalled. “We remain committed to peaceful resolution and inclusive dialogue to safeguard the country’s stability.”
The coalition called on the federal government to prioritize national unity, security, and the fight against insurgents, warning that unilateral actions could inflame political divisions and risk plunging the country into further unrest. It also stressed the urgency of organizing timely and credible elections.
President Mohamud has reportedly signaled a willingness to reverse the controversial constitutional amendments approved by parliament, which the opposition claims were rushed and lacked broad consensus. However, the president is said to be conditioning this reversal on the opposition’s acceptance of his proposed one-person, one-vote electoral model – a system critics argue is currently unfeasible due to persistent insecurity, financial limitations, and time constraints.
The standoff threatens to derail Somalia’s fragile state-building efforts at a time when the country faces mounting threats from the militant group Al-Shabaab and struggles to stabilize its governance institutions.
With no resolution in sight, opposition leaders are pressing for a renewed framework for talks – one that includes regional and civic stakeholders – as the country navigates a critical juncture in its political transition.
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