UN Representative for Somalia, James Swan, has launched a diplomatic mission to help resolve the ongoing political deadlock over Somalia’s upcoming elections.
On Tuesday, Swan met with Galmudug President Ahmed Karie Qor Qor in Dhusamareb to discuss the National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting and potential paths to break the electoral impasse.
He continued his efforts on Wednesday in Baidoa, where he held talks with South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen).
Their discussions focused on forging a consensus-based electoral process and establishing a national dialogue to overcome the stalemate.
Swan is expected to visit both Jubaland and Puntland next. These two states have rejected participation in the NCC talks initiated by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Puntland’s President Said Deni has refused to join the talks unless President Mohamud rolls back recent constitutional amendments.
Deni claims the changes, along with the push for a nationwide election, are designed to enable Mohamud’s bid for a third term.
In Jubaland, President Ahmed Madobe clashed with President Mohamud last year by holding an indirect election, defying the unified electoral process.
The federal government nullified Madobe’s election and demanded his arrest, citing electoral violations and treason.
President Mohamud is set to convene the next NCC meeting in Mogadishu on Monday, without Puntland and Jubaland, to discuss security operations against Al Shabab and the election process.
However, critics warn that excluding the two regional states could render the talks ineffective and deepen political uncertainty.
It remains unclear whether President Mohamud will compromise and opt for an indirect election, as his predecessor Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo did when faced with similar resistance.
