Mogadishu (Dawan Africa) — Leaders of the Somali opposition, united under the Somali Salvation Forum, began a closed-door meeting with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at Villa Somalia on Wednesday morning. This meeting follows the forum's rejection of the President’s earlier call for a dialogue conference.
The meeting includes prominent opposition figures such as former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Ministers Hassan Ali Khaire, Mohamed Roble, and Omar Sharmarke, as well as former Parliamentary Speakers Sharif Hassan and Mohamed Mursal. These influential leaders, who have been vocal critics of the current administration, have come together for this significant session.
The Presidency described the meeting as "part of the extended discussions of the recently concluded National Dialogue Conference," with no specific details about the agenda shared so far. Notably, Abdirahman Abdishakur, a key opposition leader, was absent from the meeting as he is currently in the United States.
On the government side, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister, Salah Jama, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Ali Hosh. As of now, the discussions remain closed, and both sides have refrained from releasing further information about the progress or outcomes of the meeting.
According to Villa Somalia, “The meeting is focusing on issues such as completing the constitutional review process, implementing direct electoral procedures, and collaborating on the joint effort to eliminate terrorism.”
This is a developing story, and more details will be provided as they emerge.
