MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – The National Consultative Council meeting in Mogadishu concluded tonight after a month of indirect discussions, held without the participation of Puntland and Jubbaland state leaders.
President Mohamud’s office announced plans to form a federal electoral committee under the federal government, despite the lack of consensus with all regional states.
The two-page statement was issued following a meeting in Mogadishu with Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama, and representatives from three regional states, with Puntland and Jubbaland notably boycotting the gathering.
The communiqué outlined the establishment of a single electoral committee under federal oversight and noted that a new electoral bill will soon be submitted to parliament.
It also set a timeline for a “unilateral election,” with local elections planned for June 2025, followed by regional elections in September 2025.
This effectively extends the terms of regional state leaders whose mandates had already expired, adding further tension to the standoff over the legitimacy of regional administrations.
The absence of Puntland and Jubbaland leadership raises concerns about the feasibility of conducting regional and direct elections without complete regional consensus.
Security issues also complicate the plan, as Al-Shabaab continues to control significant parts of the country.
Furthermore, it remains unclear how a single, centrally appointed electoral committee will manage elections in regions beyond federal government authority.
Security and political analysts warn that these decisions could escalate the already complex situation in Somalia, potentially widening the rift between Mogadishu and the regional states.
In response, the Himilo Qaran Party, led by former President Sheikh Sharif, rejected the Council’s decisions, warning that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud would bear responsibility for any breaches of the national and regional constitutions.