MOGADISHU (SD) – The United States has called on Somalia’s federal leadership and opposition groups to urgently engage in dialogue aimed at resolving growing political tensions surrounding the country’s electoral process.

Justin Davis said Washington is encouraging both the Federal Government of Somalia and opposition leaders to pursue compromise and constructive engagement to reach a mutually acceptable political settlement.

“We have encouraged both sides to talk and reach a middle-ground solution. No one expects to get everything they want when negotiating. A middle-ground solution requires engagement,” Davis said.

The acting ambassador stated that decisions regarding Somalia’s electoral model ultimately belong to the Somali people and their political leadership. However, he noted that there appears to be broad agreement among Somali stakeholders on the importance of eventually holding direct elections.

According to Davis, the current dispute centers not on whether direct elections should take place, but rather on how they should be implemented, when they should occur, and which institutions should oversee the process.

“I believe both sides agree that holding direct elections is essential. The disagreement is about how to carry it out, the timing, and who will oversee the direct election process,” he said.

Davis also stressed the importance of establishing a clear and timely electoral framework capable of ensuring a peaceful transfer of power and avoiding prolonged political uncertainty.

Commenting on the role of the United States, the envoy said Washington has been closely monitoring Somalia’s political developments and maintaining communication with all sides to better understand the situation. He rejected reports suggesting that the U.S. government is leading or hosting anticipated negotiations between the Somali government and opposition groups.

“We would welcome the opportunity to observe talks between the Federal Government and the political opposition, but the United States is neither hosting nor leading the mediation. Somalia’s future is in the hands of the Somali people and their leaders,” Davis added.

The remarks come amid growing diplomatic efforts to ease tensions linked to disputes over constitutional amendments and the electoral process, issues that have increasingly polarized Somali politics in recent months.

The United States’ call for dialogue reflects increasing international concern over Somalia’s deepening political divisions ahead of future elections. Washington appears focused on preventing the electoral dispute from escalating into a broader political or security crisis that could undermine Somalia’s fragile state-building process.

By emphasizing compromise and Somali-led solutions, the U.S. is attempting to balance support for democratic reforms with concerns about political stability. The comments also suggest that international partners are wary of becoming directly involved in mediation efforts, preferring Somali stakeholders to take ownership of the process.

The dispute over direct elections is one of the most sensitive political issues currently facing Somalia. While many political actors publicly support universal suffrage, disagreements remain over constitutional changes, electoral timelines, institutional authority, and security conditions necessary to organize nationwide voting.

If political consensus is not reached, tensions between the Federal Government and opposition groups could intensify further, potentially affecting governance, security operations, and international support for Somalia’s political transition.