Somalia: Somali President Meets With International Partners Amid Disputes Over 2026 Elections

Mogadishu, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with international partners on Monday. They discussed the contentious 2026 elections and ongoing security issues. This meeting took place in Mogadishu.

The meeting followed a session held by Somalia's opposition alliance. They also met with representatives from the international community. This highlights the growing focus on Somalia's political divisions.

During their meeting, opposition leaders raised several concerns. They criticized the lack of transparency in the electoral process. They noted key political stakeholders were excluded from national decisions. The collapse of the National Consultative Council was also a major issue. Additionally, they deemed the constitutional review process as unilateral and illegitimate.

The opposition condemned the new national electoral commission as controversial and unrepresentative. They accused President Mohamud of sidelining influential federal member states like Puntland and Jubaland.

Despite their criticisms, the opposition welcomed Mohamud's call for a national dialogue on June 15. However, they stressed that this summit needs a clear agenda. Full participation from all relevant political actors is essential for credibility.

Opposition leaders warned against using dialogue as a cover for government actions. They want it to be a genuine effort to address grievances and prevent instability. They urged the international community to pressure the federal government for timely, free, and fair elections in 2026.

International partners are closely watching Somalia's political situation. They encourage all sides to engage in meaningful dialogue for national unity and democratic progress.