MOGADISHU – A high-level meeting between Somalia’s Future Council (Golaha Mustaqbalka) and the country’s senior military commanders took place tonight at the residence of former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein, with discussions focusing on the country’s political situation, the need for an inclusive electoral process and national security.
During the meeting, military commanders reportedly requested a specific period of time to engage with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and establish whether he is prepared to put the country’s leadership and political future on the negotiating table and commit to a genuine, inclusive and consensus-based solution to the ongoing political crisis.
The commanders emphasized the importance of giving the president an opportunity to demonstrate his willingness to pursue a meaningful political settlement that takes into account the concerns of different political stakeholders.
Agreement on an Inclusive Electoral Process
Both sides agreed on the importance of working together to steer Somalia towards an inclusive electoral process that enjoys broad political consensus.
The discussions highlighted the need for political dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation among the country’s political stakeholders to prevent further divisions and safeguard national stability.
The Future Council and military commanders reportedly shared the view that Somalia’s political future should be determined through an agreed process rather than unilateral decisions that could deepen existing disagreements.
Military Commanders Seek Cooperation on National Security
On security matters, the military commanders called on the Future Council to cooperate with the country’s security institutions and support joint efforts to protect Somalia against extremist and terrorist groups.
They stressed that the fight against terrorism remains a national responsibility requiring cooperation among political leaders, government institutions and security forces.
The commanders also underscored the importance of maintaining stability and ensuring that political disagreements do not undermine ongoing security operations against extremist groups.
Future Council Reaffirms Commitment to Peace and Consensus
For its part, the Future Council reaffirmed its commitment to building a Somalia that is free from terrorist groups, governed through political consensus and founded on equality, justice and shared responsibility.
The council emphasized that its political position is based on three fundamental principles:
- A peaceful Somalia free from extremist and terrorist organizations.
- A country governed through dialogue, agreement and political consensus.
- Equal political rights and opportunities for all Somalis, without exclusion or discrimination.
The Future Council also indicated its readiness to cooperate on national security while continuing to advocate for an inclusive political settlement.
Political Future Remains Uncertain
The meeting comes amid heightened political tensions over Somalia’s electoral process and the country’s political direction as disagreements continue between the federal government and opposition stakeholders.
The military commanders’ request for a defined period to engage President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud could become an important step in determining whether the political dispute can be resolved through negotiations.
The central issue remains whether the president is prepared to engage all relevant stakeholders in a genuine dialogue aimed at reaching a mutually acceptable agreement on the country’s leadership and electoral arrangements.
The meeting concluded with a shared understanding that Somalia needs political consensus, cooperation on national security and an inclusive electoral process to protect the country’s stability and prevent further political fragmentation.
