Somalia's opposition calls for transitional council to end political crisis

The Somali Future Council (SFC) has called on countries contributing troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) to prioritize a comprehensive political settlement, arguing that lasting security cannot be achieved without resolving the country's ongoing constitutional and political disputes. In an open letter dated July 27, the Council thanked African troop-contributing countries for their decades of sacrifice while urging them to support an inclusive national dialogue.

The Council argued that Somalia is facing a legitimacy crisis, claiming the constitutional terms of both the President and Parliament have expired and that there is no broadly agreed political framework to manage the country's transition. It warned that political fragmentation has weakened national cohesion, undermined the fight against Al-Shabaab and ISIS, and diverted the Somali National Army from its constitutional responsibilities.

The letter also criticized deteriorating relations between the Federal Government and the Federal Member States of Puntland and Jubaland, saying the regional administrations remain on the front lines against militant groups but have been marginalized in national decision-making. According to the Council, divisions between Mogadishu and the federal member states have prevented the formation of a united front against terrorism.

To address the crisis, the Somali Future Council proposed the establishment of an inclusive Transitional Council to oversee constitutional and electoral reforms until new, legitimate national institutions are peacefully constituted. The Council said such a body would restore political legitimacy, safeguard the neutrality of state institutions, rebuild national confidence, and ensure a transparent and credible transition through dialogue and consensus.

The Council urged AUSSOM troop-contributing countries to use the upcoming Kampala summit to encourage a negotiated political settlement and make it the foundation of continued international engagement in Somalia.

The letter comes at a time when Somalia is facing one of its most significant political crises in recent years, marked by disputes over constitutional legitimacy, the electoral process, and relations between the Federal Government and Federal Member States. The political impasse has raised concerns among domestic stakeholders and international partners about the country's governance and security transition.

The constitutional dispute intensified after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's original four-year mandate expired on 15 May 2026. The Federal Government has maintained that constitutional amendments extending presidential and parliamentary terms to five years are valid, while opposition leaders and some federal member states argue that the amendments lacked broad political consensus and therefore cannot serve as the basis for extending the mandates of current institutions.

Relations between Mogadishu and several Federal Member States have also deteriorated. Puntland has repeatedly accused the Federal Government of interfering in its internal affairs, including allegations that federal authorities have armed local actors in areas under its administration.

Political disagreements have also extended to electoral crisis in South West and Galmudug states, where opposition groups have questioned the legitimacy of the electoral process and rejected the election process.

Several rounds of mediation led by regional and international partners have sought to bridge differences between the Federal Government, Federal Member States, and opposition leaders. However, those efforts have yet to produce a breakthrough, leaving Somalia without a comprehensive political settlement.