MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – International partners are due to convene talks between Somalia’s federal and regional leaders in Mogadishu on Saturday in last-minute efforts aimed at breaking a deadlock over the country’s elections, nearly two months after president’s term ended.
A summit between president Farmajo and the leaders of five regional states will be held at the heavily fortified Halane base camp, which is home to a number of diplomatic missions, including those of the United Nations, the United States and the African Union.
It comes after Somalia’s leaders failed to bring an end to a long-standing dispute over the electoral process, opening the doors for interference and mediation by foreign ambassadors in the capital Mogadishu.
Two of the demands earlier put forward by Jubaland and Puntland presidents, who have been in a heated dispute with the country’s leader, were met, including discussion on the February 18-19 attacks on presidential candidates and anti-government rally by security forces in Mogadishu, and the presence of foreign ambassadors at the venue where talks are due to be held.
In a statement issued, Somali government said president Farmajo had called a meeting with federal member state leaders but Puntland authorities denied, saying that talks are due to be convened by the international community and have come following relentless efforts by foreign ambassadors in Mogadishu.
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