A group of Somali federal lawmakers representing the regional states of Puntland, Jubbaland, and Southwest Somalia has convened in Nairobi for a high-level political meeting, signaling growing coordination among legislators from federal member states amid escalating tensions with the central government.
The gathering, which began on Sunday, brings together members of both chambers of the Somali federal parliament. Organizers say the talks aim to strengthen political cooperation among the three regions and unify their positions on critical national issues, including the ongoing dispute between the federal government and federal member states. The decision to hold the meeting in Nairobi rather than Mogadishu reflects the deepening political divide. Lawmakers told Dalsan Media that travel restrictions and the volatile security situation in the capital made it impossible for them to convene in Somalia.
Kenya’s capital has often served as an alternative venue for Somali political dialogue, hosting past mediation efforts between the federal government and regional administrations. However, the sight of sitting MPs organizing a bloc meeting outside the country underscores the severity of the current political estrangement.
According to participants, the Nairobi talks will focus on several pressing matters:
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Federal-state relations: Lawmakers are reviewing the constitutional and political dimensions of the rift between the federal government and member states, with a particular focus on recent developments in Southwest Somalia, where political tensions have flared.
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Security coordination: The MPs are discussing the security situation in their respective regions, including ongoing military operations against Al-Shabaab and the need for a unified command structure.
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Parliamentary advocacy: The legislators aim to develop a coordinated strategy to better represent their constituencies’ interests in budget allocation, development projects, and national policymaking.
The Nairobi meeting comes at a critical juncture for Somalia. Relations between the federal government and federal member states have deteriorated in recent months over disagreements on resource sharing, election timelines, and administrative autonomy. Southwest Somalia, in particular, has seen public confrontations that have raised concerns about stability in the region.
The federal government in Mogadishu has not issued an official response to the Nairobi gathering. Political analysts say the meeting could be perceived as a challenge to the central government’s authority, though others argue that consultation among MPs across regions is a legitimate part of democratic governance.
The meeting is expected to continue over the coming days, with participants planning to issue a joint statement outlining their agreed positions. Observers will be watching to see whether the Nairobi bloc emerges as a formal coalition that could influence parliamentary proceedings and negotiations between the federal government and member states.