The Consultation Conference on Elections: The Responsibility of the Opposition and Civil Society

The consultative conference on electoral matters called by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for political parties and civil society, scheduled for 14–18 November 2026, creates an opportunity to seek a national agreement. The invitation carries a call for consensus and compromise; however, the value of the conference will be determined by how that opportunity is transformed into an actionable agreement that leads the country to a credible election.

That confidence can be built when citizens feel that their vote matters, and candidates are assured that victory and defeat are determined by fair rules. Achieving a functioning process requires each side to fulfill its responsibilities: the government to provide an equal platform, the opposition to bring forward implementable solutions, and civil society to safeguard the public interest.

The responsibility of the opposition begins with responding to the invitation with a clear position and genuine readiness. Participation in the dialogue provides an opportunity to present their arguments, articulate their concerns, and seek guarantees for resolution. If there are challenges regarding security, the agenda, or the management of the conference, they must specify them and propose reasonable steps to overcome them.

This preparation must also reflect the content of the recommendations being brought to the table. The opposition seeking to lead the country is expected to present a plan outlining the type of election, the timeframe for conducting it, the governing bodies, and the process for resolving grievances. That plan must demonstrate how to ensure a level playing field and results that the parties can trust.

For that alternative to contribute to the negotiations, it is important for the opposition groups to agree on the issues they prioritize. Their differing perspectives are a natural matter, but it is possible for them to unite around the fundamental guarantees of a fair election: the independence of the electoral administration, the neutrality of security agencies, access to media, and the prevention of the use of government resources in campaigning.

These guarantees must be linked to ensuring public participation. The principle that citizens should choose their leadership with their vote requires a plan that addresses the security situation, the registration of voters, technical capacity, and the delivery of elections in various regions. Every challenge must be sought a solution and a specific timeframe.

There, the role of civil society is particularly evident. While politicians discuss the conditions of the competition, there is a need for someone to ensure that the agreement addresses the needs of the people whose voices are sought. Civil society must bring to the platform the perspectives of women, youth, people with disabilities, internally displaced persons, marginalized groups, and citizens who have not had the opportunity to speak directly to political leaders.

This representation will be meaningful when it is based on public consultation. Civil society must gather the grievances and suggestions of citizens, and then transform them into clear proposals to be presented at the conference. Protecting the voter, preventing intimidation and vote-buying, and facilitating the participation of vulnerable people are issues that should have a prominent place in the discussion. This way, the dialogue can be linked to the lives and rights of the people.

To defend that voice with confidence, civil society must maintain its independence. Both the government and the opposition should be evaluated by the same standard, supporting any proposal that protects citizens' rights and prevents the public interest from being turned into narrow interests. This position will enable the parties to come closer together, while also insisting on justice, freedom, and peace.

The efforts of the opposition and civil society bear fruit when the government that has extended the invitation creates an environment for dialogue. This responsibility includes having a shared agenda, allowing participants the opportunity to express their views, and ensuring that the decision-making process is trustworthy. Trust is strengthened when all sides see that their input is heard, and the points of contention are open for genuine discussion.

This environment can enable the conference to reach an agreement with clear obligations and an implementation framework. The resulting agreement must specify what has been agreed upon, who will implement it, the timeframe for execution, and how to resolve any future disputes. Issues requiring legal or institutional decisions must go through the relevant authorities and applicable procedures. This gives the political agreement a pathway to be enacted.

Once the conference concludes, the responsibilities of the parties continue. The government and the opposition must fulfill the obligations they have undertaken, civil society must monitor the implementation, and the public must be regularly informed about what has transpired and where delays are occurring. This monitoring can maintain the established trust and prevent the agreement from being limited to a mere communiqué.

The success of this initiative will be measured by how close Somalia gets to a reliable election and a peaceful political competition. The opposition should come with solutions, civil society should represent the voice of the people, and the government should be ready for a mutually agreed settlement. The Somali citizen deserves for this dialogue to open a path for them to express their voice and secure their rights.

By: Avv. Omar Mohamed Abdulle