Somalia’s Political Crossroads: A Critical Moment

On June 10, 2025, the Federal Government of Somalia made a move that left the international community reeling. With an unexpected demand, it called for the disbandment of the C6+ group—a coalition that includes global players like the United States, United Kingdom, the EU, the African Union, Ethiopia, and Kenya.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Omar, justified this bold step with the rhetoric of national sovereignty. The C6+, he argued, was merely an “obsolete structure” that no longer resonated with Somalia’s contemporary needs and dreams.

However, as we dig deeper, unsettling concerns begin to surface. Is this truly a stride towards self-reliance, or does it conceal a more alarming reality: a retreat into isolation?

A Critical Moment in Time

This decision arrives at a pivotal juncture, just a year shy of the crucial 2026 elections. The nation is already fragmented, debating not just the elections’ mechanics but also the authority to oversee them.

At the heart of this tumult is the elusive shift to a one-person, one-vote electoral framework. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration claims to champion this model. Yet, critics accuse it of charging forward unilaterally, marginalizing opposition, and turning a deaf ear to regional perspectives.

“This isn’t reform. It’s retreat,” a senior opposition figure lamented. “The government is rejecting not just foreign intrusion—it’s uprooting the very safeguards of accountability.”

The Role of C6+ in Somalia’s Fragile Political Theater

No strong domestic institutions? The C6+ filled a necessary gap, albeit imperfectly. It exerted pressure, navigated mediation, and provided a diplomatic moral compass in Somalia’s chaotic political sphere.

Back in 2021–2022, amidst an electoral crisis, this coalition steered the country back to the dialogue table. It wasn’t about power over decisions, but about striking a balance in a nation prone to political brinkmanship.

Now, with C6+ sidelined, Somalia risks entering its most significant election in years without a neutral umpire. Imagine yanking the fire alarm from the wall, all while flames still threaten the structure.

Sovereignty or Isolation?

Proponents of Villa Somalia present this move as a courageous defense of Somali self-governance. They argue the C6+ imposed foreign will, and that it’s time for Somalia to forge its own destiny.

Opponents—both domestic and international—see a different picture.

“Sovereignty isn’t a cloak for power hoarding,” explains Hodan Ahmed, a democracy advocate in Mogadishu. “If the government valued the Somali people’s choices, it would construct inclusive processes, not dismantle external systems that foster inclusion.”

The timing here speaks volumes. Amid pressured constitutional changes and growing doubts about free and fair elections, Villa Somalia opts for exclusion over engagement.

The Broader Regional Implications

This isn’t just about a single coordination group. It reflects on the very essence of Somalia and the leadership it seeks to embody. Across the Horn of Africa, democracy appears to be in regression—from Ethiopia’s narrowing civic liberties to Sudan’s complete collapse. Could Somalia stand out as the beacon of hope?

The current administration could lead by example: fostering consensus, welcoming oversight, and proving that fragile states can birth robust democracies. Or it could dismantle every inquiry and sink further into repression and solitude.

Somalia’s international allies now face a challenging choice. Should they step back, risking irrelevance? Or should they recalibrate, reinforce principled engagement, and discover fresh strategies to bolster civil society, peacebuilders, and inclusive dialogue?

Reflecting on the Path Forward

Meanwhile, domestic stakeholders must confront difficult questions. If the government can unilaterally dismiss the C6+ today, what—or who—stands to be sidelined tomorrow?

This isn’t just a diplomatic test. It’s a test of democracy itself. Somalia’s future cannot flourish in isolation. The nation requires connections, not confinements, dialogue over decrees, and transparency instead of opacity.

Rejecting the C6+ might offer Villa Somalia short-lived reprieve. Yet it invites a prolonged crisis—a trust vacuum, a dialogue breakdown, and an unraveling of the fragile progress achieved over the past decade.

The pressing question isn’t merely who will stand with Somalia. It’s whether Somalia’s leaders will stand by their own people. When the table grows vacant, the costs are shared by all.

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Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring

© 2025 Abdirahman Jeylani Mohamed, Director of Arlaadi Media Network. Connect on X (Twitter) @JaylaaniJr.