By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
Somalia, 20 December 2025 The Somali opposition-led national consultation conference held in Kismayo has issued a sharply worded communiqué criticizing the federal government’s political, security, and economic record, while calling for urgent dialogue to agree on timely, consensus-based elections.
The three-day conference, which ran from 18 to 20 December, brought together members of the Somali Future Council, federal parliamentarians, former senior officials, and representatives of civil society. Participants reviewed the country’s overall situation, focusing on governance, security, humanitarian conditions, and the electoral process.
In its final statement, the conference accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration of failing to deliver effective governance and of pursuing divisive policies that, it said, have weakened national unity and undermined constitutional order. The communiqué alleged that unilateral constitutional changes had weakened institutions meant to balance executive power and allowed some federal member states to remain in office beyond their legal mandates.
The conference also raised serious concerns about national security, claiming the government had scaled back military operations against Al-Shabaab and ISIS, contributing to declining morale and cohesion within the Somali security forces. It attributed these challenges to corruption, favouritism, and mismanagement within state institutions.
On the economy and humanitarian situation, the statement warned that widespread corruption, forced displacement of vulnerable communities, and the alleged sale of public land had deepened hardship and driven away both domestic and foreign investors. The conference expressed solidarity with displaced populations and called for an immediate halt to evictions carried out using state security forces.
Electoral Timeline and Political Dialogue
A central focus of the conference was Somalia’s looming electoral deadlines. The communiqué emphasized that the mandate of the Federal Parliament expires on 14 April 2026, while the president’s term ends on 15 May 2026, rejecting any form of term extension for constitutional institutions.
The conference said it was ready to engage the president in dialogue to agree on an election that is transparent, inclusive, and more credible than the 2022 process. It called for an electoral commission formed through consensus and for elections to be held within the constitutionally mandated timeframe.
Opposition figures urged the president to convene all political stakeholders by 20 January 2026 to reach agreement on the electoral framework. The statement warned that failure to do so could prompt alternative political initiatives aimed at preventing a constitutional vacuum and renewed instability.
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Banadir Elections and Federal Member States
The conference also criticized the ongoing local elections in the Banadir Region, describing them as one-sided and divisive, and arguing that they bypass constitutional and legal requirements due to the unresolved status of the capital.
In addition, leaders of federal member states whose mandates have expired were urged to organize elections for their own institutions in line with their respective constitutions and electoral laws.
Media, Civil Society, and International Community
The communiqué warned against what it described as increasing pressure on independent media and civil society organizations, and called for an end to forcing schools and universities to participate in partisan political activities. It also urged the depoliticization of civil aviation and travel services.
While critical of the federal government, the conference praised Somali security forces fighting militant groups and appealed to religious leaders, business communities, diaspora groups, and humanitarian organizations to step up assistance to drought-affected communities.
The statement concluded by thanking the international community for its continued support to Somalia and encouraging sustained engagement to help ensure timely and consensual elections. It also expressed appreciation to the authorities and people of Jubaland for hosting the conference.
As Somalia approaches a critical political transition, the conference’s resolutions underscore deepening tensions between the federal government and opposition forces, with elections emerging as the central test for the country’s stability in 2026.