MOGADISHU, Somalia – The United States and the United Kingdom have intensified diplomatic efforts to break a deepening political stalemate in Somalia, with their top envoys reportedly holding a crucial private meeting with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud this week, reliable diplomatic sources have told Caasimada Online

Ambassadors Richard Riley of the US and Michael Nithavrianakis of the UK met with President Mohamud in Mogadishu on Friday, the sources said, as the leader returned from a brief trip to Turkey.

The diplomats are understood to have urged the president to foster a more inclusive political environment and address escalating disputes that threaten to undermine the fight against the Al-Shabaab insurgency and destabilize the country.

Sources familiar with the meeting revealed that during the discussions, the US and UK ambassadors specifically emphasized the pressing need for a credible and inclusive electoral process that accurately reflects Somalia’s complex political realities.

They also stressed the importance of stronger collaboration between the Federal Government of Somalia and its regional member states to reinforce national unity and prevent further divisions that could derail the country’s fragile stability.

“The ambassadors made it clear that an electoral framework enjoying broad consensus is essential for Somalia’s future,” a diplomatic source told Caasimada Online on condition of anonymity.

“They also highlighted that effective cooperation between Mogadishu and the regions is paramount to tackling the nation’s multifaceted challenges.”

Call for dialogue with regional leaders

The envoys called President Mohamud explicitly to initiate meaningful political dialogue with key regional stakeholders, particularly the leaders of Puntland and Jubbaland.

This appeal comes against a backdrop of increasingly strained relations between the federal government and some of the semi-autonomous regional administrations, primarily due to persistent disagreements over the framework for upcoming elections and the allocation of power.

The growing political tensions are a significant concern to international partners as Somalia continues to grapple with the persistent threat posed by the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab militants.

A united political front is considered indispensable for the success of ongoing counter-terrorism operations and for consolidating peace and security in the long-troubled nation.

Sources indicate that Villa Somalia has not officially responded to the recommendations put forward by the US and UK ambassadors.

This silence follows previous instances where the presidency has reportedly shown reluctance to accept similar advice from both domestic opposition figures and the international community.

The core of the current political friction lies in the contentious issue of electoral reforms and the distribution of political power between the federal government and the regional states.

Puntland has been particularly vocal in its opposition to the proposed electoral system, insisting that a broad political agreement must be reached before any significant changes to the electoral framework are implemented.

A push for political stability

The United States and the United Kingdom are key international backers of Somalia, providing substantial financial and security assistance to support its state-building efforts.

They have consistently emphasized that tangible progress on the domestic political front is crucial for the campaign’s overall success against Al-Shabaab and for advancing Somalia’s long-term peace and development agenda.

Both countries have repeatedly warned that the continuation of political infighting risks undermining national reconstruction efforts and jeopardizing the overall stability of Somalia, a strategically important nation in the Horn of Africa.

Somalia now awaits a formal response from Villa Somalia to the recommendations of the US and UK ambassadors.

There are growing concerns that a failure to heed this advice could further escalate the already tense political situation, potentially hindering progress on key national priorities and emboldening extremist groups.

The ongoing political wrangling comes at a critical juncture in Somalia’s efforts to combat the persistent threat of Al-Shabaab. While the Somali National Army, often supported by international partners and local clan militias, has made some gains against the insurgents in recent months, the lack of a unified political front risks undermining these achievements.

Analysts warn that internal political divisions can divert attention and resources away from the counter-terrorism campaign, potentially allowing Al-Shabaab to regroup and regain lost ground.

Furthermore, the absence of a cohesive and broadly accepted governance structure can create vulnerabilities that Al-Shabaab is adept at exploiting. The group often thrives in areas where state authority is weak or contested, capitalizing on grievances and offering an alternative (albeit brutal) form of governance.