SOMALIA'S opposition is threatening to hold their own elections as the country deals with political problems. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's term is set to end in five months, but no agreement has been reached on how elections should be held.
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A group of opposition leaders, which includes three former prime ministers, a former president, several presidential candidates, and leaders from two strong regions, Jubaland and Puntland, made a statement after meeting for two days in the city of Kismayo.
They warned that if the president doesn't bring together a national meeting that includes everyone by January 20, they will hold their own elections.
Just before this statement, the president said he was ready to talk. But he criticized the meeting, saying it was different from previous ones.
The meeting in Kismayo showed that both parliaments will end on May 14, 2026, and the president's term ends on May 15, 2026.
President Mohamud was elected for a second term in May 2022, after beating then-president Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed in a second round.
The opposition group said they strongly reject the idea of continuing the current government structures, as it would cause political problems, a lack of clear rules, and security issues.
They also criticized the recent elections in the Banaadir region, saying they don't respect the people's rights. No agreement was reached on the status of the capital, and the meeting said the elections go against the country's temporary constitution and other laws.
The meeting took place with the presence of Jubaland's autonomous government, which the federal government does not recognize as a real part of the country.
This disagreement started with recent elections in Jubaland.
Tensions grew when the federal government sent troops to Raaskambooni, leading to clashes.
The situation turned into serious fighting. Eventually, Jubaland's security forces took over Raaskambooni, and then hundreds of troops from the Somali National Army crossed into Kenya.