MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – Uncertainty surrounds the potential participation of Abduqadir Ahmed Aw-Ali Firdhiye, the leader of SSC-Khatumo, in the ongoing National Consultative Conference (NCC) in Mogadishu.
Firdhiye’s delegation arrived in the capital this morning, but it remains unclear whether he will be able to join the conference.
The NCC meeting kicked off in Villa Somalia this morning presided over by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud despite Puntland’s absence.
Present at the conference are Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre, Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama, Galmudug President Ahmed Qorqor, South West President Abdicasis Laftagareen, Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe, and Hirshabelle President Ali Guudlawe.
A statement released by the Ministry of Interior of the Federal Government of Somalia earlier today indicated Firdhiye’s intention to participate in the NCC meeting.
However, shortly after its publication on the Ministry’s Facebook page, the statement was revised, stating that “Firdhiye had come to the capital for work purposes.”
Firdhiye, welcomed at Mogadishu airport this morning by Minister of Interior Ali Yusuf (Ali Khoosh) and members of the Federal Parliament, leads the administration of SSC-Khatumo, which was recognized as an interim administration by the Federal Government following its establishment in Lasaanood last August, amid clashes between the Somaliland army and the people of SSC (Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn).
Despite representing an interim administration based in Laascaanood, Firdhiye was not invited to the previous NCC meeting, which failed to convene last month, and has not participated in previous NCC sessions.
This exclusion has sparked considerable debate on social media platforms.