Somalia’s opposition leaders and the administrations of Puntland and Jubbaland are expected to convene in Nairobi in the coming days to discuss the country’s escalating electoral dispute and coordinate their response to the federal government’s latest decisions.
The planned meeting comes after Somalia’s national electoral commission announced a timetable for elections to both houses of the federal parliament and the presidency, a move that opposition figures and the two regional administrations have rejected as unilateral.
According to a report published by Caasimada Online on Sunday, October 18, 2026, sources close to the Future Council confirmed that its members were preparing to gather in the Kenyan capital for talks on the latest political developments.
The Future Council brings together the opposition Salvation Forum and the administrations of Puntland and Jubbaland, placing the planned meeting at the centre of efforts by government opponents to formulate a common position on the disputed electoral process.
International partners expected to join discussions
The report also states that members of the Future Council intend to hold separate meetings with representatives of the international community to discuss the political situation and explore ways to resolve the prolonged disagreement.
International partners have been involved in efforts to encourage dialogue among Somalia’s political stakeholders. The planned Nairobi engagements could give the opposition and regional leaders an opportunity to present their concerns about the electoral timetable and press for renewed consultations.
The central question remains whether the competing sides can agree on an electoral framework that commands sufficient confidence among the country’s major political stakeholders.
The opposition and regional administrations have argued that the federal government has made key decisions without adequate consultation, raising concerns about the legitimacy and acceptance of the proposed process.
Former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed criticised the government over what he described as a lack of consultation with other political actors.
Speaking at a press conference in Mogadishu on Saturday, Sheikh Sharif questioned the process through which decisions were being made, arguing that political leaders were expected to accept outcomes without being meaningfully involved in the discussions.
He said the approach was inconsistent with inclusive political decision-making and claimed that even Somalia’s former military government had not acted in the same manner.
His remarks reflect the opposition’s wider objections to the federal government’s handling of the electoral process, although the dispute ultimately centres on the legal framework, procedures and consultations governing the proposed elections.
Hassan Sheikh says dialogue remains an option
The planned meeting comes as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud seeks to address concerns over the political situation.
On Friday, the president denied claims that the federal government was planning attacks against opposition politicians, saying there was no intention to wage war against them.
He maintained that political disagreements could be resolved through dialogue and emphasised that the government remained open to negotiations with parties holding differing views.
The president’s remarks offer a contrast to the opposition’s criticism of the electoral process, with the two sides presenting different accounts of the state of political engagement and the way forward.
Whether the stated willingness to negotiate will lead to renewed talks remains unclear.
The planned Nairobi meeting underscores the continuing divisions over Somalia’s electoral arrangements and the relationship between the federal government, opposition figures and regional administrations.