Wednesday February 3, 2021
DHUSAMAREB (HOL) - Federal and state leaders converging in Dhusamareb are today starting the fifth round of talks to resolve the ongoing electoral stalemate that has seen parliamentary elections put off three times.
The Federal Government said the talks which were set to kick off yesterday were postponed to today ‘because the Jubbaland and Puntland leaders were tired’ having arrived late for the talks. Jubbaland’s Madobe arrived at around noon followed by his Puntland ally Abdullahi Deni who made way into the town at 4 pm having driven from Adado to Dhusamareb.
However, credible sources privy to the talks told HOL the FMS leaders had to meet first separately ahead of a joint meeting with President Mohamed Farmaajo and Prime Minister Mohamed Roble.
Banaadir Regional Governor Omar Filish who is a close ally of the president did not attend the meeting.
Today’s meeting is the fourth in Dhusamareb since last year. The FGS and FMS leaders met in Mogadishu in September after three rounds in Dhusamareb.
The conference is expected to arrive at a final solution and way forward for the delayed elections.
Madobe and Deni, both of whom have been vehemently opposed to Farmaajo agreed to form their respective electoral committees last week following several weeks of grandstanding.
The two political allies had demanded Farmaajo withdraws federal troops from Gedo but that has not happened yet.