Negotiations between Somalia’s Federal Government and opposition leaders resumed in Mogadishu on Thursday as both sides continue efforts to resolve the country’s prolonged political dispute over elections and the constitutional process.

The talks, which began earlier this week, are being mediated by Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) with the support of Turkish Foreign Ministry diplomats.

The talks are being closely watched as political tensions remain high following disagreements over the country’s electoral roadmap.

Security sources familiar with the discussions said both sides have reached an understanding to continue the dialogue, with Turkish mediators urging compromise and emphasizing that Somalia’s stability can only be achieved through peaceful negotiations and political consensus.

Wednesday’s session marked a significant development after representatives of the Federal Government and a faction of the opposition led by former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo jointly announced their commitment to continue negotiations in search of a comprehensive political settlement.

Farmaajo’s Peace and Coexistence (Nabad iyo Nolol) movement joined the talks for the first time, broadening opposition participation in the dialogue.

The negotiations are primarily focused on resolving disagreements over Somalia’s electoral model.

The Federal Government continues to advocate for a one-person, one-vote election system, arguing that direct elections are essential for strengthening democratic governance.

Opposition leaders from the Somalia Future Council – which includes former president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former prime ministers Hassan Ali Khaire, Mohamed Hussein Roble and others – however, maintain that any electoral framework must be based on broad political consensus and constitutional agreement before implementation.

The talks also involve wider discussions on constitutional issues, governance reforms, and confidence-building measures aimed at easing months of political tensions between Villa Somalia and opposition groups.

International partners have encouraged both sides to avoid unilateral decisions and instead pursue an inclusive agreement that can provide long-term political stability.

Negotiations are expected to continue over the coming days, with diplomats expressing cautious optimism that sustained dialogue could pave the way for a broader political agreement on Somalia’s electoral future and help prevent further political instability.

High-level political talks between the Somali Federal Government and the opposition coalition opened in Mogadishu on Tuesday, in what is being widely viewed as one of the most consequential negotiations in recent years over the country’s electoral process, constitutional dispute, and political transition.

The closed-door meeting is taking place under an unprecedented international mediation and guarantee framework, with Turkey, ambassadors from several Western countries, the European Union, and the United Nations directly participating as facilitators and observers. Journalists have not been granted access to the negotiations.

The involvement of major international partners reflects growing concern over Somalia’s prolonged political impasse and increasing pressure on both sides to reach a comprehensive agreement on elections, constitutional reforms, and the country’s broader political future.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, the negotiations are centered on several critical issues, including the framework for the next national elections, constitutional disagreements, power-sharing arrangements, and the management of Somalia’s ongoing political transition.

The talks come amid heightened political tensions following months of disputes over electoral reforms and governance. Domestic political actors and international partners have repeatedly urged Somali leaders to resolve their differences through dialogue and consensus in order to prevent further instability.

The Future Council, which brings together Puntland, Jubaland, and the National Salvation Forum, enters the negotiations with significantly greater political leverage than in previous rounds. The coalition has increasingly been recognized by international partners as a key stakeholder whose participation is considered essential to any sustainable political settlement.

That recognition marks a notable shift from the Federal Government’s earlier position, which had resisted granting the opposition formal political status in negotiations concerning Somalia’s future governance.

Observers say the active role being played by Turkey and Western partners is intended not only to facilitate dialogue but also to provide international guarantees that any agreements reached will be implemented, rather than remaining political commitments without enforcement.

Diplomatic analysts also view the meeting as evidence that Somalia’s political crisis has entered a new phase, where major national decisions are increasingly being shaped through international engagement alongside domestic negotiations.

The outcome of the talks is expected to have far-reaching implications for Somalia’s electoral roadmap, constitutional reforms, institutional legitimacy, and political stability. With deep divisions remaining between the government and opposition, many observers consider the negotiations a critical opportunity to prevent further political polarization and lay the groundwork for a broader national consensus on the country’s future.

MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Heavy fighting involving various weapons erupted moments ago in parts of Mogadishu, with intense gunfire and explosions reported in neighborhoods near key government facilities, particularly in the Hodan and Howlwadaag districts and around the Dabka intersection.

Kaab TV reporters and eyewitnesses in the affected areas said sustained heavy gunfire was ongoing across several neighborhoods as panic spread among residents and movement in parts of the capital came to a near standstill.

Preliminary reports indicate that the clashes involve forces of the Federal Government of Somalia and armed personnel loyal to former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, who were reportedly stationed at the residence of Member of Parliament Jaafar located along the road connecting the Dabka and Bakara Market intersections.

The fighting is taking place not far from Villa Somalia, raising fears that the security situation in the capital could deteriorate further if the clashes are not quickly contained.

Sounds of explosions and heavy weapons fire have been heard across several districts of Mogadishu, while unconfirmed reports suggest that both sides are using military vehicles and heavy weaponry during the confrontation.

The clashes come amid escalating political tensions in the Somali capital in recent days. The federal government had recently designated specific locations for planned opposition demonstrations, while security forces were heavily deployed across major roads and strategic areas of Mogadishu.

Opposition groups had also been carrying out political mobilization efforts linked to planned protests and ongoing disputes over Somalia’s political and electoral process. No official statement has yet been issued by either the government or opposition leaders regarding the latest fighting.