MOGADISHU, Somalia — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held a closed-door meeting late Sunday in Mogadishu with former president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, signaling a possible easing of political tensions amid renewed calls for a broad national dialogue.
The meeting, which was not announced in advance, came after a period of political estrangement and differing views between the two leaders, giving the talks added political weight as Somalia faces ongoing security and governance challenges.
In a statement, Ahmed’s Himilo Qaran party said the discussions focused on the overall state of the country, including political disagreements, security conditions, and the current phase of Somalia’s state-building process. The talks also emphasized the need for inclusive national consultations and efforts to reduce existing political divisions.
According to the party, President Hassan Sheikh stressed the importance of cooperation among political leaders to strengthen national unity and find lasting solutions to the country’s challenges. He expressed readiness to convene a long-sought national consultative forum and encouraged Ahmed to play a leading role in ensuring its success.
For his part, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said he was prepared to support any initiative aimed at bringing Somalis together and resolving political disputes through genuine dialogue, compromise, and consensus.
The meeting is widely viewed as a positive signal within Somalia’s fragmented political landscape, where disputes over elections, constitutional reforms, and power-sharing have frequently stalled progress. Officials and observers say the engagement reflects a growing recognition among political leaders of the need for dialogue as the country navigates a sensitive political and security period.
