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Somali President Hassan Sheikh Seeks MPs to Postpone Annual Break To Pass Unilateral Election Model for 2026

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MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, facing mounting opposition from two regional states over his push to amend the federal constitution and implement a unilateral election model for 2026, is now urging federal parliamentarians to postpone their annual break scheduled for November.

In a speech to select members of parliament, including the speakers of both houses and regional leaders from Galmudug, South West, and Hirshabelle on Tuesday night, Mohamud requested a “special meeting” with both houses of parliament this Thursday.

“I will come to both houses in a joint session and will make my formal request. This is going to be a big announcement,” he told the gathered officials at Villa Somalia.

The president also expressed frustration over MPs who have openly criticized his plans on the parliament floor. “Your comments made in parliament are being translated into foreign languages, and foreigners will understand what you said,” he said, suggesting dissatisfaction with members voicing opposition to his proposed constitutional changes and electoral model, which critics warn could destabilize Somalia.

Despite parliamentarians expecting a two-month break, sources report that President Mohamud intends to request a one-month delay to continue pushing his electoral agenda.

“The president’s plan is to ask parliament to postpone their break and then press ahead with a new electoral model that lacks broad consensus. How is this going to be feasible?” said Mohamed Abikarim, a political analyst in Mogadishu.

Speakers of the two houses, accused by opposition MPs of corruption and alignment with President Mohamud, are expected to support his request.

However, regional states Puntland and Jubaland have already voiced strong opposition to the president’s plan, with critics arguing that his proposed electoral model could extend his stay in office under the guise of “one person, one vote.”

The proposal faces logistical and security challenges, with large areas of southern and central Somalia still controlled by the Al-Shabaab militant group, making direct elections impossible in those regions.

The week began with a National Consultative Conference (NCC) intended to address these issues, but it stalled due to the absence of key regional states, Puntland and Jubaland, further exposing deepening divides.

The newly formed Khaatumo State in northern Somalia was also excluded from the conference, despite its request to participate. Meanwhile, Somaliland, which claims independence from Somalia, does not recognize the NCC or the federal government in Mogadishu.

As tensions grow, the rift between Mogadishu and regional administrations underscores the challenges facing Somalia’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 elections.

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