MOGADISHU (SD) – The talks between a technical committee drawn from federal government and its member states have today resumed in Mogadishu ahead of FGS-FMS leaders’ summit.

According to sources privy to the talks, the meeting which paves the way for the national consultative forum by FGS-FMS leaders, is said to be a follow up to Baidoa talks over electoral process impasse.

Both Puntland and Jubbaland authorities have confirmed that their representatives have not attended the committee talks.

“No consultative meeting on Somali elections has yet opened in Mogadishu,” Puntland minister of Interior Mohamed Abdirahman said.

Jubbaland Minister of State in the Office of the President Hirsi Ganni made similar sentiments.
“Jubaland is not part of and is not aware of any meeting that has opened for a technical committee as a prelude to a post-conference meeting,” Ganni said.

Last month, the 14-member committee who met Baidoa for three days announced a deal reached on the electoral deadlock.

In a communique, they said all contentious issues had been resolved but did not provide details on how they addressed.

Meanwhile, Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and leaders of Jubbaland, Puntland, Southwest, Galmudug, Banaadir and Hirshabelle are expected to hold talks on the electoral process in the forthcoming days.

Unconfirmed reports say the leaders will meet in Halane base next Sunday to discuss the long-standing political differences. International community will be facilitating the forum.

The contentious issues expected to discuss are management of elections in Gedo region, the controversial electoral committee as well as Somaliland representative elections.

Puntland and Jubbaland states alongside the opposition leaders are also calling the removal of NISA, police and military chiefs, saying the trio have links with the outgoing president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.