Somali President and opposition leaders to hold key talks on elections and constitution

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will meet opposition leaders at Villa Somalia on Sunday for high-stakes talks aimed at resolving disputes over constitutional amendments and the country’s 2026 elections.

The opposition has criticized recent changes to the Transitional Constitution, arguing that they were made without inclusive consultation and risk undermining confidence in the political process. The fiercest debate centers on Chapter 4 of the document.

The government favors a nationwide one-person, one-vote model in 2026, while the opposition insists that improved security and a consensus-based framework must be in place first.

President Hassan Sheikh has called for unity in confronting terrorism—particularly the threat from al-Shabaab—and signaled a willingness to compromise to achieve a negotiated electoral roadmap.

While no final agreement is expected from Sunday’s meeting, the renewed dialogue is seen as a crucial step toward stabilizing Somalia’s political climate and fostering cooperation between rival factions.

Ahmed Hussein Adam, 
Goobsan Media Inc
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