In a move aligned with the March 31, 2025 National Unity and Consultation Initiative, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has officially invited the leaders of Somalia’s federal member states to attend the upcoming National Consultative Council summit, scheduled for May 1–2.
A statement from Villa Somalia emphasized the importance of this summit, saying:
“The gathering, convened at the President’s request, is crucial for strengthening national unity, completing the country’s liberation operations, and accelerating the fight against terrorism.”
President Hassan Sheikh is also expected to engage in broad consultations with Somali elders, intellectuals, and civil society groups, reinforcing the administration’s message of inclusivity and national interest.
“The Federal Government of Somalia reiterates its commitment to inclusive consultation, cooperative governance, and unified efforts to achieve key national priorities — including the liberation of areas still under militant control, the completion of state-building, and sustainable development,” the statement added.
However, sources close to the presidency reveal that all federal member state leaders have been invited except Jubaland’s President Ahmed Madobe. The deliberate omission is rooted in Villa Somalia’s stance that Madobe no longer holds constitutional legitimacy, citing the expiration of his term.
Villa Somalia insists that invitations were extended only to leaders with recognized constitutional mandates and decision-making authority. This position underscores a deepening rift in Somalia’s federal structure, as the presidency continues to challenge what it deems illegitimate power extensions at the state level.
This marks a notable first: a sitting federal president formally excluding a regional leader from a high-level national conference — a move that has intensified ongoing tensions between Mogadishu and Kismayo.
