Mogadishu (SD) – The Union of Somalia’s Presidential Candidates tonight met with the Speaker of the Somali Parliament Mohamed Mursal Sheikh tonight, hours before the end of President Farmajo’s constitutional term.

The meeting took place at Villa Somalia, the parties discussed the failure of the 4th Dhusamareb conference and other issues the country is currently facing.

The meeting also focused on the state of affairs in the country following the end of the president’s term and the appropriate action to be taken, according to sources close to the candidates.

The speaker of parliament and the candidates have not issued any statement about their meeting tonight.

Meanwhile, representatives of the international community and the presidents of Galmudug, Hirshabelle, Puntland and Jubbaland states in Dhusamareb, had a zoom meeting, discussing the political situation the country could face after February 8th.

Reports say that representatives of the international community have tonight asked the candidates to postpone their planned statement at midnight last night, when the term of the President ends.

But an statement issued by the Union of Presidential Candidates stated that as of 8 February 2021, President Farmajo will not be recognized as the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, calling for the formation of a National Assembly composed of Speakers of both Houses, State Presidents, Representatives of Candidates and Civil Society.