The Federal Government and regional state leaders will meet in Baidoa, the interim administrative capital of South West regional state, for a National Consultative Council meeting today Thursday.
The meeting will be attended by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre, Mayor Yusuf Hussein Jimale of Mogadishu, President of Hirshabelle Ali Gudlawe Hussein, and President of Galmudug Ahmed Abdi Kariye QoorQoor. At the same time, Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe is expected to arrive today.
However, Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni will not be attending the conference. In a statement released on January 9, Puntland announced that it is “now acting as an independent government,” accusing the federal government of trying to return to a centralized federal government.
Said Deni also stated that he refused to sign two articles at the most recent National Consultative Council meeting in Mogadishu because they were against federalism.
Tensions have been growing between Mogadishu and Puntland over the distribution of political, judicial, and security powers in recent months.
The National Consultative Council meeting will discuss a range of issues, including elections, the fight against Al-Shabaab, the country’s security, politics, and economic issues. Daud Aweys, the country’s Minister of Information, confirmed the agenda for the meeting.
This will be the fifth National Consultative Council meeting since President Mohamud was elected President of the country on May 15, 2022.
