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GOOBJOOG NEWS|ADDIS ABABA: The African Union Commission has expressed concern over Somalia’s deepening political crisis after high-level negotiations between the Federal Government and opposition leaders ended without a breakthrough. In a statement issued on Friday from Addis Ababa, the AU said it had closely followed the talks held in Mogadishu between 13 and 15 May involving the Federal Government and representatives of the Somali Future Council, an umbrella grouping of opposition politicians and former senior leaders.

The continental body noted that the negotiations concluded “without a consensus,” underscoring growing tensions over Somalia’s electoral process and constitutional order at a particularly sensitive political moment. The statement comes amid heightened uncertainty in Somalia following the expiry of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term on 15 May under the framework of the Provisional Constitution through which he was elected.

The country has been locked in disagreements over the electoral model, governance reforms, and the direction of the state-building process. The AU commended both the Federal Government and the opposition leadership for engaging in direct dialogue, saying such engagement was critical in safeguarding stability and the interests of the Somali people.

At the same time, the Commission warned against further political polarization and urged all stakeholders to recommit to “inclusive and substantive political dialogue” based on compromise, negotiation, and adherence to constitutional principles. “The Commission cautions against the entrenchment of divergent positions,” the statement said, while calling for genuine negotiations aimed at resolving the current impasse.