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Somalia’s NCC meeting grapples with electoral reforms and Puntland boycott
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    Friday October 4, 2024


    Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud meets with regional leaders and senior government officials during the National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting in Mogadishu


    Mogadishu (HOL) — Tensions over governance and future electoral processes have dominated Somalia's National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting in Mogadishu, with notable absences and opposition shaping the discussions.

    A well-placed source within the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) told HOL that Khatumo State was not on the agenda. The source added that at least one Federal Member State (FMS) expressed a desire to continue using the title "President" for their leaders despite reaching an agreement at previous NCC meetings to use the term 'Governor.'

    However, much of the focus has been on electoral reforms, particularly the push for a one-person, one-vote system. The FGS views this electoral reform as crucial to strengthening Somalia's nascent democratic institutions and ensuring more inclusive governance. 

    "The federal government is increasingly concerned that some Federal Member States are planning to hold closed elections, similar to previous indirect ones, to manipulate the results." the source said.

    Opposition groups, including the Himilo Qaran Party, have opposed any attempt to extend the terms of regional leaders.

    Puntland, which has boycotted the meeting altogether. , continues to express its defiance. Puntland has voiced strong opposition to recent federal appointments, notably the appointment of General Asad Osman Abdullahi Diyano as Somalia's police chief.  Vice President Ilyas Elmi Lugatoor stressed that Puntland would oppose any leader—whether from Puntland or elsewhere—if their policies conflicted with the state's interests. 

    Despite speculation, no participants have walked out of the meeting, which is still ongoing. Friday's discussions are primarily focused on security matters, as leaders focused on bolstering efforts to combat the militant group Al-Shabaab. Despite recent gains by Somali security forces, the insurgent group continues to carry out deadly attacks across the country, posing a threat to stability.

    Discussions will likely be centred on strengthening federal and regional security strategies as Somalia prepares for the transition from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), set to begin in early 2025. Somalia's proposed exclusion of Ethiopian troops from future AU missions in favour of Egyptian forces has become a contentious regional issue. The Somali government has opposed Ethiopian troops' participation due to Ethiopia's growing ties with Somaliland following a recent agreement granting Ethiopia access to Somaliland's Red Sea coastline. 

     





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