The Opposition Responds Quickly to Hassan's Invitation

Mogadishu (Caasimada Online) – Some of the opposition politicians have responded quickly to the call from the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who has invited the Peace and Life Party, the Somali Future Council, the National Unity Forum, and the Civil Society Coalition to participate in a national dialogue that will take place in the city of Mogadishu from 14-18 November 2026.

As stated by the Presidency, the meeting will discuss crucial issues, primarily the country's elections, while also emphasizing the importance of demonstrating goodwill and compromise.

“The purpose of this dialogue is to jointly discuss federal electoral issues, based on mutual understanding and compromise,” the Presidency stated.

Following this, some members of the opposition responded immediately, expressing their rejection of the invitation extended by the President, presenting a strong argument at the table.

Abdullahi Abuukar Haji (Carab), the Secretary of the Somali Future Council, stated that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud does not have the legitimacy to invite anyone, and that his term has ended, as he put it.

“For him to invite anyone, he must first have the legitimacy to do so,” Abdullahi Carab wrote in his statement.

Additionally, Member of Parliament Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame responded, stating that the President is confusing dialogue with negotiation, and that it is first necessary to approach the difficult situation in the country with sincerity.

“He is still confusing consultation with negotiation. Consultation requires that your advice be listened to, accepted, or rejected. Negotiation, however, is a dialogue process where the parties agree on some things, disagree on others, and make concessions to reach a mutually acceptable agreement,” said Cabdiraxmaan Cabdishakuur Warsame.

He also added, “The country needs sincerity in addressing security, humanitarian, economic, political challenges, and the external power struggles that threaten the existence of the nation. It requires genuine negotiation on critical issues to be openly brought to the table, with each side ready to make concessions, prioritizing the national interest over personal ambitions.”

However, the forum set by the President of Somalia comes at a time when there is still a political divergence between the Federal Government and the opposition, with previous long-standing talks between the two sides having failed, further intensifying the conflict in the country.