A three-day meeting of senior Somali political figures under the umbrella Somali Future Council (Golaha Mustaqbalka Soomaaliyeed) concluded in Nairobi on Wednesday, with the leaders issuing a strong communiqué calling for adherence to the country’s provisional constitution and warning against actions that could undermine Somalia’s fragile federal system.
The conference, which brought together representatives of the Somali Salvation Forum (Madasha Samatabixinta Soomaaliyeed), the Jubaland and Puntland administrations, focused on the country’s political and security situation as Somalia prepares for federal elections expected in 2026.
In its final declaration, the Somali Future Council announced plans to convene a national congress inside Somalia, in line with a timetable developed by its technical committee. The goal, the statement said, is to guide the nation toward “a stable and democratic future” through a consensual and timely electoral process.
Reaffirming the tradition of holding federal elections every four years, the Council emphasized that the upcoming vote must be transparent, inclusive, and based on national consensus, serving as a unifying milestone rather than a source of division.
The communiqué issued a pointed warning to the Federal Government of Somalia, accusing the current leadership of actions that, if left unchecked, could “obstruct the federal system and the foundations of the Somali state.”
The Council cited a range of alleged violations, including:
Abuse of state power, unlawful amendments to the provisional constitution, the dissolution of constitutional institutions, arbitrary arrests of citizens, corruption and misuse of public resources; forced displacement of vulnerable communities; restrictions on internal travel and civilian flights; and misuse of security agencies for political purposes.
According to the statement, such measures threaten national unity, the rule of law, and the democratic values Somalia has sought to build since 2012.
The Council declared its firm opposition to any unilateral amendments to the 2012 provisional constitution that do not follow the established legal procedures for constitutional change. It also rejected any extension of federal institutions’ mandates beyond their legal terms, and warned that elections conducted without broad political agreement would lack legitimacy.
In addition, the communiqué criticized what it described as the politicization of travel restrictions, alleging that economic interests among federal leaders were being placed above the unity of the country.
The Somali Future Council urged President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to return to constitutional order and engage in a dialogue aimed at preventing a “constitutional and leadership vacuum.” The statement stressed that Somalia’s stability depends on holding an open, agreed-upon, and timely election that reflects the will of the people.
Concluding its communiqué, the Council called on the Somali public to strengthen national unity and solidarity, and to prepare to play an active role in safeguarding the country’s future, beginning with participation in the forthcoming elections for federal institutions.