MOGADISHU — Tensions have surfaced between Somalia and the United States after a senior Somali official criticized what Mogadishu views as increasing direct engagement between Washington and Somalia’s regional administrations.
Ali Omar Bal’ad, Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, issued a strongly worded statement on social media warning international partners against bypassing the federal government in dealings with regional authorities. The post was later deleted and replaced with a revised version, drawing renewed political attention.
The initial statement came amid reports that US officials have expanded direct contacts with some Somali regional administrations on issues including security cooperation, economic development and regional stability.
The reported engagement has raised concerns within the federal government, which argues that such contacts risk undermining Somalia’s constitutional framework and national sovereignty.
In his remarks, Bal’ad said Somalia remains open to cooperation with the United States on areas such as counterterrorism, maritime security and stability in the Red Sea region. However, he stressed that all partnerships must go through federal institutions.
“The narrative that Somalia can only contribute to regional security through fragmentation is historically false and strategically shortsighted,” he wrote, warning against approaches that could encourage political division or weaken national unity.
The removal of the original post later fueled political debate in Mogadishu, with some opposition figures suggesting it reflected internal disagreements over how Somalia should manage relations with Washington.
Somali lawmaker Mursal Khalif questioned the deletion of the statement, linking the incident to broader political tensions within the country’s leadership.
Neither the Somali government nor US officials have issued further clarification on the matter.
The episode highlights ongoing sensitivities over Somalia’s federal structure and the balance between central authority and regional administrations in international partnerships.
