Farmaajo calls for urgent talks with President Mohamud and former Presidents

Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo called Sunday for an urgent meeting between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and former Somali presidents to seek a political solution to the country’s deepening crisis. Speaking at a news conference in Mogadishu, Farmaajo said he would formally invite Mohamud to a meeting at his residence to discuss elections, security and Somalia’s political future. He said Somalia’s disputes should be resolved by Somalis and that external intervention would not be necessary if national leaders were ready for dialogue and compromise. “Somalia is at a critical political juncture, and disputes over the electoral process and governance have affected the country’s overall security and stability,” Farmaajo said. The former president said a lasting solution can only come through dialogue. He called for an end to political tension and conflict and urged all sides to take part in inclusive talks. Farmaajo said he was ready to play a role in efforts to resolve the dispute and called on political leaders to prioritize the national interest and Somalia’s unity. He warned that unresolved political divisions could further weaken the state, saying Somaliland had become more distant, Puntland was in a sensitive position as it awaited the direction of the central government and Jubbaland continued to face disputes requiring a negotiated settlement. Farmaajo said failure to address the current crisis could deepen political fragmentation and threaten Somalia’s unity and statehood. His remarks come after days of violence in Mogadishu and rising tensions over elections, constitutional changes and President Mohamud’s mandate. Opposition leaders accuse the federal government of pushing through reforms without consensus, while federal officials say they are moving Somalia toward one-person, one-vote elections and must protect public order.