Kismayo, Somalia — Somali political leaders from Puntland, Jubbaland, and opposition groups concluded a high-level political summit in Kismayo with a strong call on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to convene national political stakeholders and agree on a timely, transparent election process.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the conference, the participants urged the president to organize a consultative meeting of all political stakeholders within one month, setting a deadline of 20 January 2026, to reach consensus on elections in line with the Somali Constitution.
The conference emphasized the importance of national unity and warned against actions that could deepen political divisions or lead to a constitutional vacuum. Leaders expressed concern over what they described as growing political uncertainty, security risks, and economic challenges, as well as the ongoing threat posed by militant groups Al-Shabaab and ISIS.
Participants rejected unilateral constitutional amendments made by the federal government, stating that Somalia’s political framework remains based on the 2012 Provisional Constitution. They declared any amendments made without broad national consensus to be “null and void,” warning that such actions could undermine national cohesion.
The summit underlined that the mandates of Somalia’s constitutional institutions are fixed, noting that the House of the People and Upper House expire on 14 April 2026, while the president’s term ends on 15 May 2026. The conference firmly opposed any extension of these terms, arguing that extensions would trigger political instability and security crises.
Leaders expressed readiness to negotiate with President Hassan Sheikh on a new electoral model, calling for an election that would be more transparent, inclusive, and representative than the 2022 process. They also stressed the need for a mutually agreed-upon and timely electoral commission.
However, the conference warned that if the president fails to respond to the call for dialogue, the Somali Future Council should take steps to organize elections aimed at preventing a constitutional vacuum.
The summit criticized ongoing elections in the Banadir region, describing them as “one-party” polls conducted without consensus on the legal status of Mogadishu, which they said violates the constitution and existing laws. It also called on federal member states whose mandates have expired to hold elections in accordance with their constitutions.
In addition, the conference condemned the displacement of vulnerable populations, accusing federal authorities of using security forces against poor communities instead of protecting them. Participants demanded an immediate halt to forced evictions, the sale of public land, and the looting of national assets.
The gathering also raised concerns over alleged repression of journalists, civil society organizations, and the politicization of public institutions, including civil aviation and immigration services.
At the same time, the conference praised Somali security forces fighting Al-Shabaab and ISIS, acknowledged the country’s humanitarian challenges—particularly the ongoing drought—and appealed for urgent assistance to affected communities.
The summit concluded by thanking the international community for its continued support and encouraging it to assist efforts toward credible and timely elections. Appreciation was also extended to the Somali Future Council and to the Jubbaland administration and people for hosting the conference in Kismayo.
