Prime Minister Hamza Visits Former Leaders To Defuse Airport Dispute Ahead Of President–Opposition Talks

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Thursday night launched a series of consultations aimed at defusing political tensions triggered by the security incident at Aden Adde International Airport, as preparations continue for anticipated talks between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and opposition leaders in Mogadishu.

The Prime Minister visited former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed at his residence in the capital, in what officials described as part of broader efforts to calm tensions and safeguard the planned dialogue between Villa Somalia and members of the opposition bloc known as the Future Council.

The airport incident, which involved tightened security procedures affecting senior political figures travelling to attend a meeting hosted by Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madoobe) and Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, sparked criticism from opposition leaders. They accused federal authorities of politicising security arrangements at the airport, Somalia’s main international gateway.

Thursday night’s meeting was also attended by former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire and several traditional elders, highlighting attempts to involve senior political actors and community leaders in de-escalation efforts.In a statement, Prime Minister Hamza said the federal government remains committed to dialogue conducted in good faith and is prepared to pursue a lasting resolution to the dispute to ensure the country continues moving forward.

He later held a separate meeting with former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, continuing what sources described as a reconciliation initiative aimed at restoring confidence ahead of the expected engagement between the president and opposition figures.The outreach comes at a sensitive political moment. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to convene talks in Mogadishu with opposition leaders, including members of the Future Council, amid ongoing disagreements over electoral processes, constitutional reforms and governance issues.

Political observers say the airport episode risked casting a shadow over the planned discussions, particularly given the presence in the capital of key federal member state leaders who have had longstanding differences with the federal government.

The Prime Minister’s consultations are widely seen as an effort to prevent the dispute from derailing the anticipated talks and to preserve the prospects of a negotiated political settlement at a time when Somalia faces pressing security and state-building challenges.