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Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe are expected to arrive in Mogadishu in the coming hours to participate in a national consultative conference focused on Somalia’s electoral process and constitutional future. Their anticipated visit follows days of political tension between the federal government and regional states, tensions that now appear to be easing as dialogue resumes.
An advance delegation linked to the Puntland and Jubbaland presidencies arrived at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu on Tuesday afternoon. Officials said the team, made up largely of security personnel, is in the capital awaiting the arrival of the two regional leaders. Their presence signals renewed momentum toward national talks after a period of sharp disagreement over security and political authority.
The visit comes after controversy earlier this month when the federal government denied landing permission to aircraft carrying security personnel for the Puntland and Jubbaland presidents. The decision was made ahead of planned discussions with federal leaders and was justified by Mogadishu on security grounds. However, the move quickly sparked criticism from regional administrations and opposition politicians, who viewed it as a political tactic rather than a genuine security measure.
At the time, Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi defended the decision, saying the arrival of heavily armed regional security units posed a serious risk to stability in the capital, especially amid heightened political tensions. He argued that restricting the flights was necessary to prevent potential unrest and protect national security. Despite these assurances, the decision deepened mistrust and threatened to derail already fragile talks on elections and governance.
In recent days, the federal government appears to have softened its position. Reports indicate that authorities have agreed to allow Presidents Deni and Madobe to travel to Mogadishu with the number of security personnel they consider necessary, exceeding earlier limits imposed by federal officials. This reversal has been widely interpreted as a goodwill gesture aimed at restoring confidence and ensuring the success of the upcoming consultations.
Opposition figures have welcomed the expected arrival of the two regional leaders, describing it as an important step toward breaking the political stalemate that has gripped the country. They argue that meaningful dialogue between the federal government, federal member states, and opposition groups is essential if Somalia is to reach consensus on a credible and inclusive electoral process.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who has roughly three months remaining in his current term, has publicly called for dialogue with both opposition leaders and regional administrations. His outreach is seen as an attempt to defuse tensions and build agreement on the path forward for elections and constitutional reform. The president has maintained that the next election will be conducted under a multiparty system and guided by a revised constitution.
Opposition groups, however, have pushed back against recent constitutional amendments passed by parliament, calling for their reversal and insisting that any changes to the political framework be agreed upon through negotiation. In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, President Hassan Sheikh confirmed his intention to seek re-election, a statement that has further intensified debate over the timing and rules of the next electoral process.
The national consultative conference, expected to begin on Thursday, is widely seen as a crucial moment for Somalia’s political future. It will test whether the country’s leaders can move past deep divisions over governance, federalism, and electoral reforms. For many Somalis, the talks represent a rare opportunity to reset strained relationships and agree on a roadmap that can lead to a peaceful and legitimate transition of power after years of delays and uncertainty.