Mogadishu, (SONNA) — In recognition of the importance of national unity, political stability, and inclusive good governance — and with priority given to advancing Somalia’s state-building process — the Federal Government of Somalia and a section of the National Salvation Forum (including former Speaker of the Parliament, H.E Mohamed Mursal Sheikh Abdirahman, former Speaker and ex-South West State President Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, former Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke, and former Minister Dahir Mohamud Geelle, the Forum’s Spokesperson) jointly issued the following points of agreement:
- Commitment to safeguarding the sovereignty and unity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
- Agreement to jointly support national security efforts and the ongoing liberation campaign against Al-Shabaab terrorists.
- Confirmation that the Federal Parliament shall elect the President of Somalia, while Federal Member State assemblies will elect their respective Presidents and Vice Presidents.
- Affirmation that the President of Somalia holds the authority to appoint the Prime Minister, subject to approval by the House of the People, which also retains the right to withdraw confidence.
- Agreement that any political organization securing at least 10% of Federal Parliament seats shall be recognized as a national political party.
- The country’s electoral process shall be guided by the 2024 Electoral Law, while also incorporating provisions outlined in this communiqué.
- Commitment to promptly conduct local council, Federal Member State, and Federal Government elections.
- Agreement to expedite the completion of the remaining chapters of the Federal Constitution to ensure legality and strengthen the state-building process.
- Consensus that both government and opposition will participate jointly in advancing the transition to universal suffrage (“one person, one vote”) elections for local councils, state assemblies, and both Houses of the Federal Parliament.
Appeal:
Building on this mutual understanding and the resolution of previous differences, the parties jointly call on all political stakeholders to unite and actively participate in completing Somalia’s democratization process.
