MOGADISHU, Somalia – The National Consultative Council [NCC] meeting in Mogadishu, led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and attended by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, his deputy Salah Jama, and regional state leaders, has hit a standstill due to disputes over the upcoming elections. Initially expected to conclude on Friday, the meeting continues to face significant challenges.
Reliable sources indicate that Jubaland State President Ahmed Madobe has become a major obstacle by opposing the consensus plan to transition Somalia to a one-person, one-vote electoral system and refusing to endorse the agreed-upon framework for the country’s elections.
Madobe also demanded the inclusion of the leaders of Puntland and SSC-Khatumo in any electoral decision-making, as Puntland’s absence from the NCC meeting stems from political rifts and uncertainty surrounding Khatumo’s participation. He has called for clarity on Khatumo’s position.
On Friday, Khatumo State issued a statement expressing disappointment over its exclusion from the meeting. They also challenged the Federal Government, demanding inclusion in such discussions and asserting their rightful claim to political recognition, given their status as an interim state administration.
By opposing the proposed extension period, Madobe suggested that regional states should manage their own elections independently this year. He contended that a prior agreement was never finalized and warned that extending the term could lead to political instability.
Concerns are mounting as Madobe’s push for the inclusion of Puntland and Khatumo states in the NCC meeting has ignited a political debate on social media. While some accuse him of obstructing progress in Somalia, others support his stance, leading to a heated uproar over his decision.
Sources indicate that President Hassan Sheikh and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi, along with regional leaders from Hirshabelle, South West, and Galmudug states, have endorsed a plan for one-person, one-vote elections that includes a proposed one-year extension for regional states. However, Ahmed Madobe of Jubaland has opposed the proposal, citing concerns about his chances of success in a one-person, one-vote election in his state.
As the meeting enters its fifth day, leaders are expected to issue a communiqué today. Efforts to persuade Madobe to join the agreement are ongoing; however, if he continues to resist, the meeting may be prolonged, as federal leaders remain steadfast in their position.
Stay tuned to Mareeg.com for the latest updates on the NCC meeting in Mogadishu, which is currently experiencing a deadlock over election issues.
