Today, the much-awaited Afisiyoni Tent Somali leaders’ meeting was opened without Puntland And Jubaland leaders, Said Deni and Ahmed Madobe.
Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo chaired this preliminary meeting of the National Conference on Completing Electoral Issues and the implementation of the September 17, 2020 agreement ratified by the Somali Federal Parliament.
The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia Mr. Mohamed Hussein Roble, regional states leaders Ahmed Abdi Kariye (Galmudug), Mr. Abdi-aziz Hassan Mohamed (South West), Mr. Ali Abdullahi Hussein (Hirshabelle) and the Governor of Benadir Mr. Omar Mohamud Mohamed.
The presidents of Jubaland and Puntland administrations were not present at the meeting, and put forward new conditions for their participation in the consultative meeting scheduled to take place today at the Afisiyoni Tent.
Later in the day, the Minister of Information, Mr. Osman Abokor Dubbe, gave a briefing on the meeting between the heads of state, some regional governments and the Governor of Benadir region at the Afisiyoni Tent in Mogadishu.
Speaking to the media, the minister said that the conference was officially opened and that the presidents of Puntland and Jubaland were absent, adding that he hoped they would rejoin.
He added that the purpose of the meeting was to hold rapprochement talks with various leaders on the first day as there was a rift, but it is noteworthy that Said Deni and Ahmed Madobe, who were at loggerheads with Farmajo, did not come to the meeting.
Finally, the minister said that the conference will continue and called on the leaders who are absent from the conference to be present tomorrow.
