MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – The leaders of regional states in Somalia are due to meet in Mogadishu’s heavily fortified Halane base camp on Thursday for international community organized talks despite the outgoing president’s disapproval.
A summit scheduled to be held between the country’s president and 5 regional leaders failed to take place, after two of the federal member states refused to attend, arguing that their demands have not been met.
President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo convened a partial meeting at Afisyoni camp inside Halane base in Mogadishu on Monday with only 3 regional state leaders, while the rest of state presidents attended a parallel conference in the military camp, in what analysts said served a significant blow to last-ditch efforts aimed to break deadlock over elections.
According to sources close to Jubaland and Puntland leaders, International Community representatives in Mogadishu have turned focus on bringing an end to disputes between regional state presidents and will lecture them in putting the interest of their country above their personal political motives.
Agenda of a summit between Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and regional state leaders will be set during these talks in Halane on Thursday. A number of foreign ambassadors are expected to be in attendance to mediate a deal between the 5 federal member states, the sources said.
President Farmajo has arrived at Halane base early on Thursday morning and met with allied federal member state leaders in a bid to convince them to boycott talks with Jubaland and Puntland leaders.
It comes a day after Somalia warned foreign ambassadors in Mogadishu against interfering in the country’s internal affairs, saying their statements on the disputed electoral process are “unacceptable”.
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