Somalia's federal government confirmed that talks are ongoing with the regional administrations of Puntland and Jubaland to resolve electoral disputes ahead of upcoming national and local elections, according to Allafrica.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said open dialogue is underway to address disagreements over the electoral process concerning Puntland and Jubaland. He added that the focus is on upcoming local elections and that Puntland is not included in this round because it has already held its local elections, and he expressed optimism that outstanding issues in Jubaland could be resolved, Allafrica reported.

Abdiqadir Mohamed Nur Jama, who serves as Somalia's Minister of Ports and Marine Transport and is a candidate for the position of Speaker of the Federal Parliament's House of the People, held talks on Tuesday with traditional elders, clan leaders and religious scholars in Baidoa, a southwestern city in Somalia, Allafrica reported.