Two crucial meetings underway in Mogadishu ahead of poll talks

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Two key political meetings are currently underway in Mogadishu amid expectations of a new direction for the much-delayed elections.

All the five federal Member State presidents are meeting with envoys from the international community which come together under the C6+ group. The group is made up of US ambassador Donald Yamamoto, UN head in Somalia James Swan, AMISOM chief Francisco Madeira, UK ambassador Kate Foster and a representative of the EU delegation in Somalia.

The meeting comes a day after the FMS leaders met Sunday where they set out ground for today’s talks. Sources at the meeting noted that Jubbaland and Puntland were pressured to accept Farmaajo to chair upcoming talks after they demanded he leaves it to someone else.

The international community also pressured Farmaajo against a vote by the Lower House to extend his stay in office. Speaker Mohamed Mursal called off today’s session Sunday night through a notification to MPs.

Meanwhile, the Council of Presidential Candidates which brings together 15 candidates is also meeting at a hotel within the Halane base camp. The CPC met with the Jubbaland and Puntland presidents yesterday after the conclusion of the FMS meeting.

The CPC is expected to present its position on the next electoral talks at the end of today’s meeting.