Somalia: Opposition figure welcomes president's call for talks

Dr Abdullahi Ali, former Presidential Candidate for Jubaland State, Somalia. [Modachi Okumu] In a statement on March 31, former Jubaland Presidential candindate Abdullahi Ali welcomed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's call for a national conversation aimed at addressing Somalia's political and security challenges. "This initiative is a commendable and necessary step, demonstrating the President's commitment to fostering dialogue and seeking solutions from a place of strength and wisdom," said Ali. He urged to ensure that the initiative be 'broad-based," implying the need for inclusion of political leaders, civil society representatives, and other key stakeholders. "A meaningful and effective national conversation cannot be confined to a small group of politicians; it must reflect the diverse voices and interests of the Somali people," he said. This comes months after the federal State under Somalia held its elections which saw President Ahmed Madobe secure a third term. Mogadishu was, however, opposed to his re-election bid, describing the third term as exceeding the two-term limit. And in the spirit of keeping Madobe's leadership in check, Ali warned Mogadishu against using the dialogue as a tool to stop them from holding the Jubaland leadership accountable. To ensure the success and credibility of this process, we urge President Mohamud to take the appropriate next steps in facilitating an inclusive and transparent national dialogue. "We caution against any attempt to use this initiative as a means to shield leaders, such as Ahmed Madobe and others, from accountability for their failures in governance," the statement read in part. It added: "Those who have neglected to uphold credible elections, foster inclusive political processes, or respect the fundamental principles of power transfer must not be allowed to exploit this dialogue to evade responsibility. The Somali people deserve leadership that is accountable and committed to democratic principles." Ali emphasised that the national conversation must not lead to an outcome where the affairs of the country are decided by a "select few powerful individuals." "Any political settlement emerging from this dialogue must prioritize the collective interests of the nation over individual ambitions," he stated, assuring his commitment to supporting any initiative that strengthens Somalia's democracy, promotes stability, and ensures that governance serves the interests of all its citizens. At the same time, he said, the talks must not divert focus from the critical fight against extremism particularly the war against Al-Shabaab which remains a national priority. "Security and stability are foundational to any political progress, and there should be no compromise in the commitment to eradicating the threat posed by Al-Shabaab," he said.

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