Somalia’s political chessboard is bracing for a critical week as diplomatic sources confirm that the international community under the C6+ umbrella will convene this Thursday in Mogadishu to assess the country’s deepening political developments.
The high-level meeting, comprising Somalia’s key international partners, will focus on crafting a unified diplomatic response to the outcomes of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s recently announced talks with politicians including members of the National Salvation Forum, a bloc of opposition figures, including former president, speakers and prime ministers, pushing for broader political inclusion.
Diplomats from the U.S., U.K., EU, UN, and other key partners are said to be weighing their role in easing the escalating deadlock between two rival factions: on one side, Villa Somalia, now reinforced by three Federal Member States and SSC Khatumo aligned with the President’s newly expanded Justice and Solidarity Party; and on the other, Puntland and Jubaland, joined by the political opposition in resisting what they call a “centralized grab for power.”
June 15 Summit: A Move to Reclaim Legitimacy?
On late Wednesday, Villa Somalia issued formal invitations to former Somali presidents, ex-prime ministers, past speakers of parliament, and previous state leaders to attend a national consultative summit on June 15. Notably excluded from the guest list, however, are current Federal Member State leaders, including Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and Jubaland’s Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe) – a glaring omission in the eyes of many observers.
Diplomats say Thursday’s international meeting will also serve as a preliminary step toward articulating a joint stance on the June 15 summit, which risks being overshadowed by its exclusivity and growing political skepticism.
Opposition rejects summit without Puntland and Jubaland
Leaders from the opposition camp have already closed ranks, signaling they will not participate in a process that sidelines Puntland and Jubaland; two states whose exclusion calls into question the legitimacy and national scope of the summit.
While Villa Somalia hopes to reclaim the narrative and push forward with its consultative initiative, pressure is mounting both domestically and diplomatically for a more inclusive framework.