By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU — The Federal Government of Somalia has announced the key issues to be discussed at an upcoming National Consultation Conference scheduled to take place in Mogadishu next week, according to an official government statement.
In a press release, the government said the initiative follows a proposal by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and was formally announced on Jan. 19, 2026. The national dialogue forum, set to open on Feb. 1, 2026, will bring together the federal government and representatives of what the authorities described as the “Somali Future Council,” as part of broader efforts to build political consensus and address the country’s pressing challenges.
As part of preparations for the conference, the Council of Ministers’ Committee on Government Dialogues on Jan. 27 launched a series of consultations with civil society groups and political stakeholders. The first consultation session was held in Mogadishu and included representatives from the Somali Civil Society Organizations Coalition and the Union of Somali Islamic Scholars.
According to the statement, discussions during the consultations will focus on five main priority areas:
• National unity and cohesion, aimed at strengthening social and political solidarity across the country;
• Security and counterterrorism, with a particular emphasis on efforts to combat extremist groups;
• Completion of the provisional constitution, a long-delayed process seen as critical to stabilizing Somalia’s political system;
• Elections, including discussions on the electoral framework and future voting processes; and
• The ongoing drought, which continues to affect millions of Somalis and remains a major humanitarian concern.
The government said the consultations are intended to gather views, recommendations, and practical proposals from different segments of society ahead of the national dialogue.
“The Council of Ministers expresses its appreciation for the constructive consultations held today with civil society groups,” the statement said. It also thanked participants for what it described as “valuable and practical ideas and recommendations” shared during the discussions.
Somalia has faced decades of conflict, political instability, and humanitarian crises, and the government has repeatedly emphasized dialogue and consultation as key tools for advancing state-building, security reforms, and democratic processes.
