The US Embassy in Somalia has issued a strong statement on the political situation, after the meeting between the federal government and the Somali Future Council ended inconclusively.
A statement published on the embassy’s website said: “Dialogue and compromise are difficult but necessary, and we urge the Somali leadership to continue these efforts. A united political process combats terrorism, strengthens governance, and leads to progress for Somalia and the international community.”
The embassy made it clear that dialogue and compromise, while difficult, are necessary and essential for stability and state-building in Somalia.
In the early hours of this morning, opposition leaders united in the Somali Future Council held separate meetings to discuss the next steps, following the collapse of the talks at Villa Somalia.
Sources say that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has sent a delegation to the Council to continue negotiations and avoid exposing the disagreement to the media. The delegation is said to include the Minister of Education, Farah Sheikh Abdulqadir, who has held meetings with some opposition leaders.
The US statement comes at a time of increasing domestic and foreign pressure, with the international community concerned that the political dispute could delay the electoral process and constitutional reform.
