In Eid Message, President Mohamud Calls for Urgent Political Consultations Amid Deepening Federal Rift

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Eid al-Fitr called for an urgent consultative meeting bringing together Somalia’s political stakeholders, framing dialogue and reconciliation as essential to preserving national unity at a time of mounting political tensions.
In his Eid message, the president congratulated the Somali people and Muslims around the world, and prayed that Allah accepts the acts of worship performed during Ramadan, including fasting, prayers and charity. Alongside the religious message, he delivered a political appeal, urging Somali leaders to convene and deliberate on the country’s political direction and the need to strengthen unity.
The call comes against the backdrop of a worsening political crisis between the Federal Government and several regional administrations. South West State this week announced it was severing ties with the Federal Government, accusing Mogadishu of interference in its internal affairs and of undermining the federal system. The move followed similar decisions by Puntland and Jubbaland, further exposing widening fractures within Somalia’s federal structure.
The escalation has unfolded amid growing tensions in Baidoa, where recent developments, including restrictions affecting the movement of officials and security personnel, have reflected the increasingly strained relationship between the regional state and the central government.
The president’s appeal also comes after earlier rounds of talks between Villa Somalia, opposition leaders and federal member state leaders failed to produce a lasting breakthrough. Those previous consultations were overshadowed by deep mistrust, disputes over electoral arrangements and disagreements over constitutional authority, leaving key political questions unresolved.
At the heart of the impasse is the debate over Somalia’s political future, particularly the path toward the next elections. While the federal leadership has pushed for political reforms and broader electoral changes, critics have argued that such a transition cannot succeed without inclusive consensus among federal member states, opposition groups and other national stakeholders.