Mogadishu(Mogadishu24)-The National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting opened today at Villa Somalia in Mogadishu without representatives from Puntland and Jubaland states, highlighting continued divisions among Somalia’s federal member states.

Despite efforts to bring Jubaland State President Ahmed Madobe to the table, he declined, stating that a consensus on election models could not be reached in Puntland’s absence. Puntland had earlier withdrawn confidence in the Federal Government following the Federal Parliament’s passage of four chapters of the provisional constitution in March.

Present at the meeting are representatives from pro-Federal Government states, including Southwest, Hirshabelle, and Galmudug, along with Governor of Benadir region. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and his deputy, Salah Ahmed Jama are also attending the discussions, aimed at setting an election model for Somalia’s future.

However, critics have expressed skepticism, suggesting that the absence of Puntland and Jubaland renders the meeting unproductive. They argue that a comprehensive agreement on election models and other critical issues will be challenging to achieve without the participation of all member states.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had pushed for a unified stance among federal member states on election models, yet ongoing divisions appear to hinder progress. Villa Somalia has not provided details on the expected duration of the talks, leaving questions about the potential outcomes of the meeting amid Somalia’s complex political landscape.