Saturday December 20, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said on Saturday that the federal government is open to dialogue and compromise with opposition leaders, as the Somali Future Council conference continues in Kismayo.
Speaking in Mogadishu, President Mohamud said the meeting in Kismayo should produce constructive ideas that both the government and the Somali public can engage with and negotiate.
The president revealed that political discussions between the government and opposition figures have been ongoing for the past two months, focusing on what he described as fateful national issues. He stressed that mutual acceptance is more important than rigid positions, warning against remaining stuck in political deadlock.
President Hassan Sheikh noted that while some politicians accepted the government’s views and others rejected them, the issues agreed upon were submitted to the Federal Parliament for legal consideration and implementation.
“I do not understand the logic that something cannot be agreed upon at the Jazeera Hotel in Mogadishu, but can suddenly be agreed upon in Kismayo, forming parties and arriving at positions,” he added.
The president also warned against any slide toward armed confrontation, stressing that Somalia must avoid political disputes escalating into violence.
“If a day comes when weapons are threatened, it will be prevented in a brotherly manner to preserve the unity of the country,” he said.
He emphasized that Somalia cannot tolerate dictatorship, but equally needs political stability grounded in consultation, dialogue, and mutual respect.
The remarks come as the opposition-led Somali Future Council conference entered its third day in Kismayo, bringing together politicians critical of the federal government to discuss the country’s political direction and electoral process.