By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Mogadishu, 18 September 2026 Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon met in Mogadishu to discuss what they described as the country's political transition, according to statements issued by Shirdon and the Himilo Qaran party.
Sharif leads the opposition Himilo Qaran party, while Shirdon heads the opposition Haybad Qaran and Xaqsoor alliance.
Himilo Qaran said the meeting on Thursday evening focused on the state-building process, the political situation and efforts to find a joint response to what it described as the country's political and security challenges.
In a Facebook post, Shirdon said he also visited former prime ministers Hassan Ali Khaire and Mohamed Hussein Roble and discussed Somalia's broader political situation with them.
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Shirdon said the talks focused on protecting national unity, strengthening political consultations and building consensus among Somali stakeholders.
The meetings come as the federal government seeks to hold direct elections based on universal suffrage, while some opposition leaders and federal member states say any electoral model should be based on a broad political agreement.
Political disagreements also centre on constitutional changes, power-sharing and the framework for managing the country's next elections.