MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – The United Nations and the European Union have strongly condemned Somalia’s federal government for preventing planes carrying advance security teams for Jubaland and Puntland leaders from landing in Mogadishu ahead of critical election talks.
The European Union’s envoy to Somalia, Francesca Di Mauro, issued a firm rebuke of the federal authorities’ decision, describing it as a regrettable setback to dialogue. She expressed hope that all parties would resolve the misunderstanding and create a conducive environment for substantive discussions, enabling progress on the country’s elections.
“Shame that advance teams fr PL & JL could not arrive today in Moga. Whatever the misunderstanding, the 🇪🇺 hopes that all sides will find a solution for this key dialogue to happen, and set a conducive environment for substantive discussions, leading to a way forward on elections,” she said on X.
The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) also expressed “regrets that advance teams from Puntland and Jubaland could not arrive for the national consultative forum scheduled to begin in Mogadishu, as the necessary technical clearances were not granted.”
“We strongly encourage all sides to prioritize the agreed dialogue forum to reach consensus on elections and other national issues ahead of the upcoming end of Constitutional mandates.”
Leaders from Jubaland and Puntland accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of deliberately obstructing the talks, which were intended to bring together the opposition Somali Future Council – of which they are members – and the federal government to resolve a longstanding dispute over elections. They further claimed that turning back the planes constituted both a criminal act and an attempted assassination.
The incident marks a significant escalation in tensions between Somalia’s federal authorities and regional administrations, raising concerns over the country’s fragile political stability as it approaches critical electoral deadlines.
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