Somalia Defends Partners’ Role in Mogadishu Talks Amid Interference Debate

By Shire Abdi - Reporter

Mogadishu (Dawan Africa) – Somalia’s government defended the international community’s role in recent talks with the opposition as debate grows over foreign influence in the country's politics.

Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama said Somalia’s international partners limited their role to facilitation and support, and did not interfere in Somali of political decisions.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Mizan Podcast, produced by Dawan Media, Jama said the international community had clearly stated that Somalia’s political future must be decided by Somalis themselves.

“Our friends in Somalia have repeatedly told the media that decisions about the country belongs to the Somali people,” the deputy prime minister said.

He added that the role of international partners was limited to political support and encouragement.

“They have no role beyond facilitation and support… They say Somalis should consult among themselves and build their decisions on the constitutional principles of returning power to the people,” he added.

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His remarks come amid public debate over why the talks between the government and opposition were held inside the Halane compound, which hosts several international agencies and diplomatic missions.

Jama stressed that the meetings took place at a government facility inside the country, and said there was no indication that Somalia needed political negotiations to be held abroad.

“The two sides met in a government facility inside the country,” he said, dismissing the argument that Somalia’s political situation had reached a point where talks would need to be held outside the country.

“I do not know of anyone going abroad; people are coming to the country,” he added.

The deputy prime minister also said the most important issue is the political principles and points of disagreement, rather than focusing on the location or technical arrangements of the talks.

The Halane talks ended without an agreement, as political disputes over elections, the constitution, and the system of governance continue to deepen. However, both the government and opposition have expressed the need for broader political consultation.