OP-ED: Fourteen years have handed since Somalia launched into its federal path — an extended and sophisticated journey aimed toward rebuilding a nation fragmented by many years of battle. But, in a second that feels eerily acquainted, the nation as soon as once more stands at a crossroads. With current developments, one can’t assist however ask: Are we again to sq. one with a transitional authorities?
The sentiment has echoed in political discourse and on the streets alike. In idea, the present scenario mirrors the early days of the federal authorities experiment fragile alliances, deep political rifts, and mounting stress from the worldwide group. Regardless of the time that has handed, Somalia seems to be revisiting among the similar foundational challenges it confronted greater than a decade in the past.
This well-known grew to become much more pronounced in the course of the Kampala assembly held on April 24, 2025. Within the presence of the Somali President, Troop Contributing International locations (TCCs) and key worldwide donors delivered what can solely be described as a stern and sobering message. Their tone was unmistakably critical — a two-month ultimatum has been handed to the Somali authorities to resolve its inner political variations. If these disputes stay unresolved, they warned, a global “roadmap” could also be imposed to information the nation’s political future.
Such language is just not solely sturdy; it’s symbolic. The reference to a road-map a time period closely used throughout earlier transitional intervals alerts a possible rollback in nationwide sovereignty over key selections. It brings to thoughts the period of externally-driven blueprints for governance, the place Somalia was typically extra of a topic than a participant in its personal political course of.
For a lot of observers, the ultimatum displays deep frustration from worldwide companions over the extended political impasse in Somalia. With AMISOM reconfigured into ATMIS and the transition of safety obligations underway, the hope was for extra unified and secure governance to emerge. As an alternative, unresolved electoral disputes, federal-state tensions, and an absence of cohesive nationwide imaginative and prescient proceed to undermine progress.
Now, with the clock ticking, the Somali management faces a stark selection: come collectively to resolve political fractures or threat dropping the reins of their very own road-map. Whereas the worldwide group has lengthy been a supporter of Somalia’s reconstruction, its persistence seems to be carrying skinny.
The query stays, will Somalia seize this second to reaffirm its dedication to the federal undertaking and nationwide unity, or will historical past repeat itself, pushing the nation again towards transitional oversight? Solely time and the following two months will inform.
The Creator: Mohamed Musse, Former Somali Federal Election Commissioner
