The Somali Future Council (Golaha Mustaqbalka Soomaaliyeed) on Tuesday responded to the president’s invitation for dialogue scheduled for May 10, declaring it will only join talks if the government halts unilateral election preparations and establishes independent mediation, as tensions rise over constitutional changes and the approaching presidential term deadline.
The council, which previously participated in negotiations while the president pushed through what it calls unconstitutional amendments, now accuses the administration of displacing vulnerable communities and jailing youths. With the president’s term set to expire on May 15, the warning adds urgent pressure to reach a national electoral agreement before Somalia risks deeper political fragmentation.
In a statement issued on May 5, the council said it remains committed to genuine dialogue but laid down two clear preconditions.
“The council declares it is ready for dialogue, but only if the president takes the following steps: first, demonstrate genuine commitment by halting one-sided election measures that presume their outcome, and second, establish an independent and agreed-upon mediation mechanism,” the statement read.
The council’s position, according to an indirect quote from a political analyst in Mogadishu, reflects damaged trust following repeated broken promises, but there is little opportunity for compromise given the short window of time before May 15.
The council further accused the president of proceeding with a unilateral election schedule while arrests of young people and forced displacements continue. It described the current invitation as “not beyond reproach” and said the president is not yet ready for honest negotiations.
Warning of consequences, the council said that if no political agreement on elections is reached by May 15, it will-in coordination with the Somali people-take “responsible measures to save the unity and existence of the nation’s statehood.”
The statement did not specify what those measures would entail, but analysts fear they could include mass protests or a parallel political process.