The Somali Future Council Conference officially opened today in Kismayo, a city that has once again become the focal point of national politics. The conference brings together a high-profile gathering of former presidents, former prime ministers, leaders of federal member states, particularly Puntland and Jubaland, as well as more than 80 federal members of parliament.
This level of participation gives the meeting significant national weight, especially as it coincides with the end of the constitutional term of the Federal President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Political Context of the Conference
Ahead of the conference’s official opening, the President of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni, delivered a strong political message that clearly framed the spirit and direction of the meeting. He stated:
“The current government remains in power through granted legitimacy, not through real authority. It is dragging on without a future; this path has been seen before. Alternative solutions are emerging that better serve the collective interests of the Somali people.”
This statement clearly reflects the political stance of the conference and the broader struggle it represents.
What the Kismayo Conference Is Challenging
The conference directly and indirectly challenges the current administration in Mogadishu by:
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Questioning the legitimacy of term extensions and unilateral approaches to the electoral process
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Reuniting fragmented political opposition, creating a more coordinated front
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Sending a clear message to the international community that one-sided elections are unacceptable
In this sense, Kismayo is not merely hosting a meeting—it is hosting a political reckoning.
What Outcomes Are Expected?
Several key results are anticipated from the conference, including:
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A national political communiqué (the “Kismayo Statement”) outlining shared positions
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Explicit political backing for Jubaland, strengthening its negotiating position
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Reactivation of the Somali Future Council as an organized political platform
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A strategic political roadmap for the next phase of political engagement
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Momentum toward a broader national conference, potentially larger and more consequential than the one held in Gunaane
Why Kismayo Matters
Kismayo has effectively transformed into the center of political realignment in Somalia. It is here that strategies are being shaped around electoral legitimacy, leadership legality, and the future political order of the country.
The conference signals that Somalia has entered a decisive phase—one where political actors are no longer willing to accept ambiguity in governance, elections, or constitutional authority. What emerges from Kismayo may very well determine the direction of Somalia’s political future in the months ahead.
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