Mogadishu (Dawan Africa) – Villa Somalia has confirmed to Dawan Africa that the opening of the National Consultation Conference, initially scheduled for today, has been postponed to Monday due to logistical delays caused by the late arrival of delegates in Mogadishu.
The National Consultation Conference, a name that has sparked some controversy, will now be held at the Decale Hotel, located within Aden Adde International Airport. The event is set to last three days, with approximately 50 confirmed participants, including former Presidents, Prime Ministers, Federal Member State leaders, Deputy Prime Ministers, registered political party representatives, civil society leaders, and other key political figures.
In an exclusive update, Villa Somalia also revealed the final name of the conference, a detail that had previously been kept under wraps. While the opposition has argued for the term "National Dialogue" instead of "Consultation," believing it better represents the spirit of inclusive decision-making, the official name remains the National Consultation Conference.
Despite the debate over terminology, the conference is expected to serve as a crucial platform for addressing Somalia’s political and security challenges. Its goal is to foster national unity and help resolve the political deadlock by providing a space for open discussion and collaboration among Somalia’s top political figures.
The international community has expressed strong support for the conference, recognizing it as an opportunity to bring together Somalia’s diverse political factions. While opposition parties have called for a "dialogue" to emphasize collaboration and consensus-building, the conference is considered a key step in Somalia’s efforts to find common ground and move forward with a unified political vision.
However, despite the importance of the event, prominent opposition parties in Mogadishu, Puntland, and Jubaland have publicly refused to participate. These opposition groups, which include former leaders and key political actors, have voiced their dissatisfaction with the conference's format and structure.
