Tuesday May 6, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Tuesday chaired the opening session of the National Consultative Council (NCC) at the presidential palace in Mogadishu amid an ongoing boycott by Puntland and Jubbaland leaders.
The meeting brings together leaders from the Federal Government and participating Federal Member States to discuss pressing national issues, including security, electoral preparations, and intergovernmental relations.
For the first time, SSC-Khatumo State leader Abdiqadir Ahmed Aw-Ali Firdhiye is attending the NCC meeting as a recognized federal member state representative. His presence follows the federal government’s official recognition of the SSC-Khatumo administration last month.
One of the central topics of the NCC meeting is the ongoing voter registration drive in Mogadishu, where thousands have already registered ahead of the local council elections expected in June. The voter registration marks a key step toward Somalia’s shift to a one-person, one-vote electoral system.
However, Puntland and Jubbaland leaders continue to boycott the talks, citing grievances over federal overreach and alleged violations of the provisional constitution. Puntland has reiterated its call for a return to the rule of law and has launched its own electoral initiatives independent of the federal framework.
The international community has urged Somali leaders to resume dialogue and reach consensus on key political and constitutional issues to advance Somalia’s state-building process and secure international support.