The United Nations Transitional Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) has expressed concern over delays to the high-level National Consultative Forum in Mogadishu, following the failure of advance delegations from Puntland and Jubaland to access the capital.

In a statement issued on Sunday, UNTMIS said the preparatory teams were unable to travel after the necessary technical clearances were not granted, resulting in the postponement of talks initially scheduled to begin on 1 February 2026.

“We strongly encourage all parties to prioritise the agreed dialogue forum in order to reach consensus on elections and other critical national issues, particularly in light of the approaching end of constitutional mandates,” the mission said.

The delay comes at a critical juncture for Somalia’s political process. Under the constitutional timeline established after the 2022 elections, the mandate of the two chambers of the Somali Federal Parliament is due to expire on 14 April 2026, while President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term is set to conclude on 15 May 2026.

Somali leaders had been expected to use the forum to agree on the model and timetable for upcoming elections. The federal government’s proposal to introduce a one-person-one-vote electoral system has faced opposition from leaders of Puntland and Jubaland, who favour retaining the 4.5 clan-based power-sharing system.

The talks were also intended to address long-standing disputes between the federal government and federal member states over power-sharing arrangements and the coordination of security responsibilities between national and regional forces.

The federal government, through the Ministry of Defence and Aviation, said clearance was denied to aircraft carrying heavily armed security personnel and weapons, citing concerns that such deployments posed a serious national security risk and contravened established protocols governing high-level visits.

UNTMIS called on the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali Future Council to take urgent steps to create conditions conducive to dialogue, stressing that timely consultations are essential to maintaining political stability and reaching agreement on Somalia’s electoral and governance framework.