By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU — Somali political activity intensified on Tuesday as presidential hopefuls Hassan Ali Khaire and Abdi Farah Shirdon Saacid were expected to travel to Nairobi, according to sources familiar with the developments.
The planned trip comes at a time of heightened consultations among opposition leaders and political stakeholders as the country approaches key constitutional and electoral deadlines.
Meanwhile, the president of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni, is expected to return in the coming days to Garowe, where preparations are reportedly underway for the next stage of political discussions involving opposition figures and regional leaders.
Sources say the first phase of talks between the Somali Future Council and Villa Somalia has concluded. The discussions focused on electoral arrangements, constitutional issues and political coordination among opposition groups and federal authorities.
A second phase of the process is expected to take place during a larger conference planned in Garowe. While officials have not yet announced the exact date of the meeting, recent political movements suggest preparations for the gathering are underway.
Political insiders say the discussions are also linked to debates over the possibility of parallel elections and whether some federal member states whose mandates have expired could proceed with their own electoral processes.
Members of the Somali Future Council told reporters that, from their perspective, time pressure is not on the opposition bloc but rather on Villa Somalia, where federal institutions are facing approaching mandate deadlines.
The developments highlight ongoing political maneuvering in Somalia as leaders seek to reach consensus on the country’s electoral framework and broader governance issues ahead of upcoming political milestones.
