Talks in Mogadishu hit ‘semi-deadlock’, say sources 

The National Consultative Council meeting which kicked off on Monday seems the leaders will need more time to fix the contentious issues related to the regional issues, mainly term extensions.

News Keydmedia Online
27 December 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Talks between the president of Somalia Hassan Sheikh, and the five Federal States in Mogadishu have hit "semi-deadlock", Keydmedia Online has learned.

According to KON sources in Villa Somalia, the leaders are at loggerheads over some issues, including the term extension of Southwest State president Abdulaziz Lafta-Gareen, whose mandate expired on December 19.

The President of Puntland Said Abdullahi Deni is said to be supporting Lafta-Gareen in his attempts to extend his term by one more year and demanded Villa Somalia stop the interference. 

Deni called on Somali president Hassan Sheikh to allow the Federal States to exercise their own constitutions and the regional parliament decisions to extend the mandate of their leaders.

There was fighting between the Southwest regional troops and a militia loyal to an opposition candidate on Friday in Baidoa city, 250 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu which left several dead.

The National Consultative Council meeting which kicked off on Monday seems the leaders will need more time to fix the contentious issues related to the regional issues, mainly term extensions.

The NCC forum was expected to focus on its agenda - the security, war on Al-Shabaab, and federalizing the justice system in Somalia, according to a statement by Villa Somalia on Monday.

The talks which are the 4th since Hassan Sheikh's election in May 2022 come as the government forces along with community fighters making gains against Al-Shabaab in central regions.

KEYDMEDIA English