Somalia’s Political Talks Stalemate Over Elections and Constitutional Reform
MOGADISHU — Direct talks between Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the opposition-aligned Future Council concluded without agreement on Monday, council members confirmed, deepening a protracted political standoff.
The meeting, held in the capital, aimed to address the nation’s ongoing political crisis but failed to resolve core disagreements. Central to the deadlock are divergent visions for the country’s electoral framework and the pace of constitutional amendments. According to a council member who spoke with local media, the discussions ended without settling the primary agenda items, and no joint statement was released.
The two sides remain fundamentally divided on three interconnected issues: the specific model for organizing future national elections, opposition demands to suspend ongoing constitutional changes, and the establishment of a mutually acceptable mechanism to manage recurring political disputes. These points have consistently hindered progress in Somalia’s fragile political transition.
The impasse highlights the persistent challenge of forging a consensus on Somalia’s democratic future. The country has been navigating a complex political pathway following decades of conflict, with previous electoral models relying on indirect, clan-based systems. The push for a more direct, one-person-one-vote system has been a long-term goal but is fraught with technical, financial, and political hurdles. Simultaneously, the constitutional amendment process, intended to solidify the federal system and clarify power divisions, has been criticized by opposition groups as being rushed and lacking inclusivity.
No date has been set for the resumption of negotiations. Following the meeting, there has been no official public comment from the presidency or the council, underscoring the closed-door nature of the process and the current lack of momentum.
The failure to bridge these gaps has significant implications for Somalia’s stability and international partnerships. The ongoing political uncertainty complicates efforts to advance security reforms, economic development, and the planned withdrawal of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which is contingent on a stable political environment. Donor nations and regional bodies, including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), have consistently urged Somali leaders to find common ground to ensure an inclusive political process.
The stalemate leaves Somalia without a clear roadmap for its next electoral cycle and constitutional finalization, prolonging a period of political uncertainty that risks exacerbating tensions and diverting focus from pressing security and humanitarian challenges.
