Somalia’s federal government and opposition groups are nearing a political agreement to establish a Democratic Transition Task Force, as talks continue over elections and the country’s political future.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Somali Report) — Somalia’s federal government and members of the political opposition are expected to sign a political agreement in the coming days to establish a task force aimed at supporting the country’s democratic transition, a political representative said.
Mohamed Abdirizak Mohamud, a representative of the Nabad iyo Nolol political group, said negotiations between the government and opposition parties were nearing completion, without giving a specific date for the signing.
In a post on X, the former foreign minister said the talks were progressing well but did not disclose details of the issues already agreed upon, those still under discussion or the final arrangements for establishing the Democratic Transition Task Force (DTT).
The proposed body is expected to play a role in Somalia’s democratic transition and preparations for future elections, as the country continues to debate the electoral system and the broader direction of its political process.
However, authorities have yet to formally announce the composition of the task force, its specific mandate or how long it would operate.
The expected agreement comes amid persistent political tensions in Somalia, with disagreements between the federal government and opposition figures over elections, constitutional reforms and the distribution of political authority.
Mohamud called on all political actors to reject violence and protect the dialogue process, stressing the importance of maintaining negotiations to ensure that the anticipated agreement delivers its intended results.
His remarks came after an alleged attack on the residence of General Mahad Abdirahman “Shub” in the southwestern town of Doolow, an incident in which five civilians were reportedly wounded.
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The incident has added to concerns over the potential impact of security developments on Somalia’s fragile political dialogue.
Mohamud questioned whether the Doolow attack could be connected to efforts to disrupt the political negotiations and attempts to reach an agreement between the government and opposition.
The federal government has previously denied involvement in the incident.
The proposed DTT agreement comes at a sensitive moment for Somalia, where political disputes have increasingly intersected with security concerns and disagreements over the country’s electoral roadmap.
The government has been pushing forward with its plans for a democratic transition, while opposition figures have called for broader political consensus and greater guarantees that electoral arrangements will be accepted by major political stakeholders.
The establishment of a joint task force could provide a formal mechanism for government and opposition representatives to coordinate on key aspects of the transition, although its effectiveness will likely depend on the composition of the body and the powers ultimately assigned to it.
For Somalia, reaching a political understanding could help reduce tensions ahead of the next phase of the electoral process. But disagreements over the rules governing elections and the wider political transition remain significant challenges.
If signed, the agreement would represent a potentially important step toward narrowing the political divide between the federal government and opposition groups, while providing a framework for continued dialogue at a time when Somalia is facing both security pressures and intense debate over its political future.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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