MOGADISHU (SD) – Somali government has insisted that the consultative forum should be held in Garowe town barely a day after Puntland and Jubbaland suggested the venue to be Mogadishu.

Somali information minister, Osman Abukar Dubbe reiterated the call to hold proposed talks in northeastern Somalia saying Garowe was selected for its relative.

“We have heard calls suggesting change for forum venue but we still insist that the forum to be hosted by Garowe, a town known for its peace,” the minister told BBC Somali Service during an interview.

The remarks of the minister comes two days after Puntland and Jubbaland states suggested that the meeting should be held in Somali capital.

Both states pressed Somali federal government to invite other political stakeholders including the opposition leaders.

The meeting which was welcomed by both the opposition and regional states is expected to kick off on 15th February.

International community has heightened pressure on Somali leaders to end the differences over electoral process.

This week, following a meeting in New York, UN Security Council members have urged government to urgently resume talks with regional states.