Somalia’s Powerful Council Welcomes Opposition’s Nod to Participate in National Dialogue

The NCC also agreed to accelerate local council elections across the country, citing the successful completion of the Banadir regional council elections as a key milestone and a model for other federal member states.

In addition, the council reaffirmed its support for the federal government’s constitutional mandate to protect Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity, praised recent gains by Somali security forces against Islamist militants, and called for urgent humanitarian assistance to address the ongoing drought.

The council thanked the United Nations, the African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and other international partners for their continued support of Somalia’s sovereignty, stability and political processes.