Somalia’s Future Council has rejected the federal government’s election timetable, accusing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of unilateral decision-making and warning that the dispute threatens national unity, federalism and the country’s state-building process.
MOGADISHU (Somali Report) — Somalia’s Future Council has rejected the government’s election timetable, accusing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of pursuing unilateral decisions that could threaten national unity, the federal system and the country’s state-building process.
In a statement, the opposition alliance said it strongly opposed the schedule for elections to both houses of the federal parliament and the presidency, arguing that it had been issued under the president’s direction without an inclusive political agreement on how the elections should be conducted.
The council called for renewed dialogue and mediation to reach a political settlement acceptable to all major political stakeholders, with support from Somalia’s international partners.
It warned that unilateral decisions on the electoral process risked deepening political divisions at a time when the country faces serious security, economic and humanitarian challenges.
Somalia is battling the Al-Shabaab militant group and Islamic State militants, while also confronting the effects of climate-related disasters, including El Niño-linked flooding and recurring droughts, the statement said.
The council said these challenges made political cooperation and unified leadership more urgent, warning that prolonged disputes over elections could undermine efforts to strengthen state institutions and damage social cohesion.
The dispute comes amid broader disagreements between the federal government and opposition figures over the country’s electoral arrangements and the timetable for upcoming national polls.
The Future Council said it remained ready to engage in genuine negotiations aimed at reaching an inclusive agreement on an electoral framework and a realistic timetable.
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But it warned that if Mohamud persisted with what it described as unilateral decisions, the alliance would consider further constitutional and political measures to defend citizens’ rights and the legitimacy of the electoral process.
“No individual or group has the right to unilaterally determine Somalia’s political future,” the council said in its statement.
It also held Mohamud and those supporting his decisions responsible for any consequences arising from the current political standoff.
The council urged Somalis to unite against measures it described as unconstitutional and contrary to the law, warning that they could threaten the country’s unity, federal system and broader state-building efforts.
It also called on international partners and other stakeholders involved in Somalia to help safeguard the country’s political future by supporting a process based on consultation and an inclusive agreement.
Somalia has faced recurring disputes over elections, constitutional arrangements and the division of powers between federal and regional authorities. The latest confrontation risks further complicating efforts to build consensus over the country’s political transition.
The Future Council’s statement did not specify which additional constitutional or political measures it might pursue if negotiations fail.
The federal government’s response to the statement was not included in the material provided.
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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