MOGADISHU, Somalia – A coalition of Somali opposition leaders known as the Madasha Samata-bixinta (“Salvation Forum”) has agreed in principle to meet with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud following renewed outreach from Villa Somalia, multiple political sources told Caasimada Online.
The move marks a potential thaw in tensions between the federal government and the opposition bloc, which had previously boycotted a four-day national consultation conference hosted by the president in Mogadishu.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, the opposition leaders reached their preliminary agreement during a closed-door meeting late Friday at the residence of former president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in Mogadishu. The talks followed the recent return of several Forum members to the capital after performing Hajj and spending the Eid holidays abroad.
A final internal consultation among Forum members is expected to take place in the coming days to determine the date, format, and delegation that will represent the opposition in the proposed talks with President Hassan Sheikh.
“They initially rejected the president’s invitation to the Mogadishu conference but are now open to direct dialogue,” a political insider told Caasimada Online on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Former PM’s return expected to boost talks
Former Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke is expected to arrive in Mogadishu from Nairobi on Saturday, along with several other absent members of the Forum. Their presence is seen as essential to finalizing the opposition’s collective approach and strengthening their negotiating position.
The Forum’s agreement to engage with the president comes after weeks of political friction, during which they boycotted a widely publicized national conference aimed at resolving Somalia’s deepening political rifts. That summit, held earlier this month in Mogadishu, ended with an official communiqué but without the participation of key opposition figures.
Their absences were prompted by concerns over inclusivity, transparency, and the conference’s perceived failure to address core grievances related to power-sharing, electoral reforms, and federalism.
Somalia remains politically fragmented as it navigates a fragile transition toward stable governance. The federal government under President Hassan Sheikh, who returned to power in May 2022, has been under pressure to secure broad consensus among federal member states and political stakeholders, especially amid ongoing security threats from al-Shabaab insurgents and looming questions over constitutional reforms.
The Madasha Samata-bixinta comprises prominent former officials and political heavyweights, including past presidents and prime ministers. The bloc has emerged as one of the main sources of organized political opposition to the current administration, frequently calling for greater accountability, institutional balance, and clarity on election timelines.
Strategic dialogue ahead
With both sides appearing to recognize the need for dialogue, the upcoming meeting — if it materializes — could play a pivotal role in shaping Somalia’s political roadmap ahead of the next elections and ongoing national security reforms.
While no date has been publicly announced, insiders suggest the meeting could occur within the next week, depending on how quickly the Forum finalizes its internal deliberations.
President Hassan Sheikh has repeatedly expressed willingness to engage all stakeholders, including opposition groups, to advance Somalia’s political stability. His earlier calls for inclusive dialogue were met with mixed reactions but continue to serve as the foundation for potential reconciliation efforts.