The National Consultative Conference (NCC) which was supposed to officially kick-off today or tomorrow in which the leaders of the Federal Member States were to attend has been postponed. The incumbent Somali President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called for a national dialogue on the 11th of April. The Head of State appealed that the regional leaders will attend the meeting. He fixed that the meeting was scheduled to be held on 1st of May and was due to last on the 2nd of May.
A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, Hamze Abdi Barre stated that the meeting which was due to start in Mogadishu will commence on the 5th of May. The Somali Federal Gov’t has not so far confirmed that the leaders of Puntland, Saed Abdilahi Deni and Jubaland, Ahmed Madobe will attend the National Consultative Conference (NCC).
Puntland President Saed Deni did not participate the last seven National Consultative Conference while Jubaland leader did not show up the last meeting which brought together the leaders of the Federal Member states. The last meeting saw the attendance of Hirshabelle, Galmudug and Southwest state leaders.
The National Consultative Conference (NCC) is a forum where the leaders of the Federal Member states, the federal leaders and Banadir regional administration come together to discuss on national issues that the country is faced with.
Puntland President Saed Deni who spoke in Bosaso on last Saturday made clear that he will not attend any national meeting unless the Federal Leaders return to what has been agreed upon. Deni has urged the Somali President to live up to his words when it comes to the national dialogue that he invited the political stakeholders and community leaders to come together in order to unite when it comes to the fight against the militant group of Al-shabab.
He said: “The Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud invited on Eid day to all Somali people who are stakeholders and are influential among the populace. I request the President to live up to his words.” Deni’s message was interpreted that he was looking for a solution when it comes to the type of elections that will be held in the country in 2026.
President Hassan Sheikh did not so far respond to Deni’s message. The postponement of the National Consultative Conference comes at a time when UN Special Representative to Somalia, James Swan said on Wednesday that the country must hold direct elections.
He is currently holding meetings with leaders of the Federal Member states. On Tuesday, he met with Galmudug leader, Ali Abdi Kaarye Qoorqoor and on Wednesday he met with Southwest state leader, Abdiasis Hassan Mohamed Lafatgaren.
He said that Somalia needs to take clear steps pertaining to the political and security which will be the basis for unity and broad based dialogue which the political and community leaders participate.
