Somalia is facing a political dispute over its next national elections after the Somali Future Council rejected the federal government's electoral timetable, arguing that it was announced without an inclusive political agreement.

The electoral commission has scheduled elections for both houses of the Federal Parliament for 15 April 2027, followed by a presidential election on 15 May 2027.

The opposition coalition is calling for negotiations to resume, warning that unilateral decisions could deepen political divisions and undermine the country's federal system and state-building efforts.

To unpack what is at stake, Mpho Sithole spoke to Abdirahman Jeylani Mohamed, founder and director of Arlaadi Media Network in Somalia...