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President Mohamud, regional leaders meet with Parliament speakers
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    Monday May 29, 2023

    Mogadishu (HOL) - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, alongside the leaders of the National Consultation Forum, convened a meeting with the Speakers of the two Houses of the Federal Parliament in Mogadishu on Sunday night.

    The meeting came shortly after the leaders reached a significant political agreement to reshape the country's political system.

    Under the agreement, Somalia will transition from indirect voting to direct voting, marking a pivotal shift in the nation's electoral process. After enduring three decades of conflict and clan disputes, Somalia is poised to elect its president and other officials through direct popular vote starting next year.

    While the National Consultation Forum did not disclose the specific agenda of the meeting, sources indicate that it centered around garnering support from regional and federal leaders to secure the approval of the political agreement, which was reached in the early hours of Sunday.

    However, the agreement has faced opposition from notable Somali politicians, including former Prime Ministers. Both former Prime Minister Abdiweli Gaas and the former President of Puntland expressed concerns, citing potential risks to the country's political stability.

    The upcoming local council elections, scheduled for June 30 next year, will be the first step in the electoral process. This will be followed by regional parliamentary and regional leadership elections on November 30, as outlined in the communique released.

    Another notable aspect of the agreement is the decision to limit the competition for power to two political parties, deviating from the current political parties law that does not impose such restrictions.

    The political agreement, reached by federal and regional leaders along with the Mogadishu Mayor, is expected to be presented to both houses of the parliament for approval during the upcoming session this week.

    As the country navigates its path towards a reformed political structure, these opposing voices highlight the challenges faced in achieving consensus among Somalia's political leaders. The divergent opinions expressed by former Prime Ministers Gaas and Sharmarke underscore the complexity and importance of Somalia's ongoing political reform efforts.

     





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