MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) — The Somalia National Consultative Council (NCC) concluded a three-day meeting in Mogadishu on Wednesday, deepening political fractures as the country grapples with growing instability.
The meeting notably excluded Jubbaland and Puntland, two key federal member states.
The NCC meeting, which began on Monday, marked the first formal inclusion of SSC-Khaatumo as a federal member state.
“The council unanimously recognized SSC-Khaatumo as a member state of the Federal Republic of Somalia and agreed that the upcoming national conference should be concluded in accordance with the country’s constitution,” the concluding statement read.
Although expectations were high that the meeting would help address the widening rifts within Somalia’s federal system—which are undermining both security and humanitarian progress—the final communique instead appeared to escalate tensions, particularly with Jubbaland.
In a move seen as a direct challenge to the legitimacy of the Jubbaland administration, the NCC announced plans to potentially restructure its governance:
“The council agreed that the Ministry of Interior and Reconciliation of the Federal Government should present a proposal regarding the situation of the Jubbaland regional administration, in accordance with the country’s constitution and laws, in order to establish a legitimate regional governance system,” the communique stated.
Surprisingly, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who chaired the NCC meeting, did not sign the communique, despite its apparent alignment with his political stance against federal rivals.
The communiqué also addressed other contentious issues, including the disputed national electoral process.
While the controversial National Electoral Commission continues with voter registration in Mogadishu, the communique urged federal member states to cooperate and allow registration in their respective regions.
So far, no regional state has permitted voter registration to begin.
This NCC gathering in Mogadishu comes as President Hassan Sheikh’s administration enters its final year in office.
Pressure is mounting for him to build consensus and stabilize the country, especially as Al-Shabaab insurgents continue to overrun towns and villages across southern and central Somalia.