Somali Future Council Discusses Participation in Upcoming Political Talks

MOGADISHU (SD)— The Somali Future Council has agreed on three steps to help decide whether to take part in upcoming talks called by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to discuss Somalia’s political situation and elections.

According to information from the meeting, the council agreed to respond to a letter sent by international partners on October 17. The letter concerned participation in talks scheduled for November 4, which are expected to focus on the country’s political disagreements and electoral arrangements.

The council also agreed to contact Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam, known as Ahmed Madobe, to encourage them to participate. One council member was reportedly assigned to speak directly with the two leaders and learn their positions.

In addition, the council decided to establish a permanent working committee to prepare meeting agendas and coordinate its activities. The committee is intended to help the council work more efficiently without having to call a full meeting every time an issue needs attention.

The council is expected to make a final decision on whether to accept President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s invitation after receiving responses from Deni and Ahmed Madobe.

The developments come as disagreements between the federal government and opposition figures continue over Somalia’s political future and the arrangements for upcoming elections. The Future Council’s final position on the proposed talks has yet to be announced.

The Future Council’s decision suggests that opposition leaders are still discussing how to respond to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s invitation rather than having reached a final agreement to attend. Their efforts to consult Puntland and Jubaland indicate that they want to coordinate their positions before deciding how to engage with the federal government.

The involvement of Deni and Ahmed Madobe could be important because both leaders have been central figures in disagreements between Somalia’s federal government and some federal member states over elections, constitutional changes and the distribution of political power.

The new permanent committee could also help the council make decisions more quickly and maintain better coordination among its members. However, creating a committee does not by itself resolve the political differences that have prevented earlier talks from reaching an agreement.

The key question is whether the government and opposition can agree on the purpose and rules of the proposed discussions. If the parties enter the talks with different expectations, the meeting could struggle to produce a settlement. If they agree on a negotiating process and are willing to compromise, the talks could provide an opportunity to reduce tensions and move toward an agreed electoral framework.

For now, the Future Council’s position remains conditional on further consultations. Its final decision, along with the responses from Puntland and Jubaland, should help clarify whether the November 4 talks will bring the main political parties closer together.