Mogadishu (Raxanreeb Online) – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is scheduled to meet today with the Somali National Salvation Council, led by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, for high-stakes talks at Villa Somalia.

The meeting comes amid sharp political divisions over recent amendments to Somalia’s Provisional Constitution. Opposition leaders have accused the government of altering the document without consulting key political stakeholders, warning that the move could derail the country’s democratic transition.

A major flashpoint is the change to Chapter Four of the Provisional Constitution, which the opposition says was pushed through hastily and without consensus. The government, however, maintains the amendments are necessary to strengthen governance and prepare for the next elections.

The two sides are also expected to debate the format of the 2026 national elections. President Hassan Sheikh’s administration has pledged to deliver a one-person, one-vote poll — a historic step for Somalia — but the opposition argues that persistent security concerns and logistical constraints make such an election unfeasible in the current climate.

The National Salvation Council has repeatedly stressed the need for a political settlement that reflects Somalia’s realities, calling for broad-based agreement on both the constitutional review process and the electoral framework.

Today’s meeting is the latest in a series of efforts to narrow the gap between the federal government and opposition blocs, as the country navigates a sensitive phase in its state-building process.