Senior opposition, FGS leaders hold election talks in Garowe

GOOBJOOG NEWS|GAROWE:   Senior government and opposition leaders held talks in Garowe Friday evening with initial reports indicating the thorny issue of elections was widely discussed.

Puntland president Abdullahi Deni hosted former presidents Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and deputy prime minister Mahdi Guled for a dinner following the conclusion of a three days forum in Garowe. Also attending was Lower House speaker Mohamed Mursal.

Sources said the unending disputes over the upcoming elections was the main agenda of the meeting. Guled had earlier pledged to open room for talks even as Puntland and Jubbaland maintain their stance against the polls.

Meanwhile, former prime minister Hassan Khaire separately held talks with his former deputy Mahdi Guled with sources noting the issue of elections too was discussed.

The opposition has demanded Farmaajo reconstitutes the federal elections committee, FIET but he  has  given the calls a deaf ear and instructed the committee to proceed. The committee announced Thursday it was putting off Senate elections until January 6.