Somalia: Jubaland, Puntland leaders again absent as NCC talks resume 

Somalia

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Despite the absence of Jubaland and Puntland leaders, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud convened the National Consultative Council on Sunday, weeks after the conference was adjourned amid disputes over proposed election model and term extension for state presidents. 

The meeting was adjourned in mid-October after Jubaland leader Ahmed Madobe vehemently opposed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s proposal for a unified one-person, one-vote election in all states, prompting Madobe to withdraw from the conference and return to his stronghold in Kismayo. 

All state presidents, including those from Hirshabelle, Southwest, and Galmudug, endorsed the proposal, while Puntland notably abstained, having withdrawn from the National Consultative Council months before Jubaland’s exit 

At the time, opposition leaders urged the government to refrain from making a hasty deal with the remaining regional leaders until Jubaland and Puntland return to the negotiating table. This led to the adjournment of talks, which resumed weeks later without their involvement. 

It remains uncertain how the talks can break the weeks-long deadlock or whether the remaining members of the National Consultative Council will be able to reach an agreement in the absence of Jubaland and Puntland leaders.