Friday July 10, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s federal government and opposition groups have resumed direct talks in Mogadishu this week to reach consensus on the country’s disputed electoral process and constitutional amendments.
The talks, organized by Turkey, were attended by representatives of the Federal Government of Somalia and opposition groups, as well as delegates from Turkey, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United Nations.
Jama said the government welcomed the opening of the talks and thanked Turkey and other international partners for supporting the political process.
He said the federal government has focused in recent months on implementing a one-person, one-vote electoral system, including drafting laws, establishing electoral institutions and consulting with different sectors of society.
“Most of the parties participating in the talks share the same view on the principle that the Somali people should have the opportunity to choose their leadership, and that the electoral system should be based on democracy and a multiparty system,” Jama said.
The deputy prime minister said remaining disagreements are mainly related to election procedures and implementation, adding that those issues can be resolved through dialogue and consensus.
He said the government will continue consultations with opposition politicians, regional administrations, civil society groups, religious scholars and other sectors of society to achieve an inclusive electoral process.
Jama expressed hope that the ongoing talks would lead to democratic elections and move Somalia away from its indirect electoral system, allowing citizens to vote directly for their leaders.
The political impasse stems from constitutional amendments backed by the federal government that critics say could extend President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term by one year and delay federal elections until 2027.
Somalia’s presidential election was due in May, after parliament’s mandate expired in April, but the vote has been thrown into uncertainty by disagreements over the electoral framework and the government’s push to replace the clan-based indirect system with direct elections.
Puntland and Jubaland, two of Somalia’s federal member states, have opposed the constitutional reforms, accusing Hassan Sheikh’s government of pushing through changes without broad consensus and sidelining federal regions.
Both states declined to join the Turkey-led meetings in Mogadishu, questioning Ankara’s neutrality, according to sources familiar with the talks.
The leaders of Puntland and Jubaland are also members of the Somali Future Council, a major opposition alliance challenging the federal government’s electoral agenda.
