By Zamzam Daqare - Reporter
MOGADISHU (Dawan Africa) — A meeting between Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and European Union Ambassador to Somalia Francesca Di Mauro has drawn political attention after Villa Somalia and the EU appeared to present different public messages about the talks and Somalia’s current political situation.
The meeting came days after negotiations between Somalia’s Federal Government and opposition leaders ended without agreement on elections, constitutional amendments and the country’s political transition.
Villa Somalia framed the discussions primarily around bilateral relations and long-term cooperation with the European Union.
In a statement posted on X, the presidency said the talks focused on strategic partnership, state-building and development priorities shared by both sides.
“The discussions focused on the longstanding strategic partnership between Somalia and the European Union and ways to strengthen cooperation in support of Somalia’s state-building and development efforts,” Villa Somalia said.
The presidency also highlighted continued consultation and cooperation on issues of mutual interest.
However, the message issued publicly by Ambassador Francesca Di Mauro placed greater emphasis on Somalia’s political tensions and the stalled negotiations between the government and opposition groups.
“I was briefed by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on his perspective on recent talks,” Di Mauro wrote on X.
The ambassador also disclosed that she had separately spoken with Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni a day earlier, indicating that both sides still appeared willing to continue dialogue.
“Having spoken to H.E Said Deni yesterday, I gather that both sides remain open to dialogue,” she wrote.
The contrast between the two statements quickly became a subject of discussion among political observers in Mogadishu.
While Villa Somalia focused on diplomatic relations, strategic cooperation and development, the EU Ambassador’s statement appeared centered on assessing whether Somalia’s political actors remained prepared to continue dialogue following the collapse of talks held between May 13 and 15.
Di Mauro also added a carefully worded political message:
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“Somalis will decide on their political settlement. As a key partner, the EU hopes for an inclusive and democratic one.”
Another detail that attracted attention was the language used by the EU Ambassador herself.
Unlike some recent diplomatic statements by foreign officials, Di Mauro did not refer to Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as either “President” or “former president,” mentioning him only by name in her public statement.
Political observers interpreted the wording as cautious diplomatic language amid the ongoing dispute over the government’s constitutional mandate.
The issue has become increasingly sensitive after opposition groups argued that Hassan Sheikh’s constitutional term expired on May 15, according the 2012 constitution, while the federal government maintains that constitutional amendments adopted earlier this year extended the mandate until 2027.
Di Mauro’s wording also contrasted with controversy surrounding a recent statement by Turkey’s ambassador to Somalia, who referred to Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as “President,” prompting criticism from opposition figures who viewed the language as political support for the federal government during a disputed constitutional period.
The latest EU messaging comes about a week after Di Mauro publicly urged Somali political actors to continue inclusive dialogue.
Speaking during a May 10 press conference on EU-Somalia relations, the ambassador warned that decisions made during the current political period could shape Somalia’s democratic future and long-term stability.
“Dialogue must start, it must continue, and we believe it should lead to tangible outcomes to preserve peace and stability in Somalia,” she said at the time.
She also noted that the European Union and its member states had invested nearly €5 billion in Somalia over the past two decades in support of state-building, security, humanitarian assistance and economic development.
The European Union remains one of Somalia’s largest international partners, supporting governance, security, humanitarian response and institutional development programs across the country.
Political analysts say the differing tone between Villa Somalia’s statement and the EU Ambassador’s remarks reflects growing international concern over Somalia’s unresolved political disputes, particularly disagreements surrounding elections, constitutional reforms and questions of political legitimacy.