By Abdikhadir Abdi Barre
Somalia is facing a growing political crisis, with disputes between the Federal Government and several Federal Member States raising serious concerns about the country’s political stability and national cohesion.
The disputes in South West, Galmudug, and Hirshabelle should not be treated as ordinary political disagreements. They are warning signs that the country’s political institutions and federal system are becoming increasingly divided. At the same time, tensions involving Puntland and Jubaland risk further widening the political gap between the Federal Government and the country’s regional administrations.
The developments surrounding Somaliland and its emerging relationship with Israel also demonstrate how internal political divisions can create opportunities for external actors to pursue their own interests. When political disagreements become deeply entrenched at home, foreign powers may find opportunities to exploit those divisions.
The key question, therefore, is not simply who will win the next political seat, but who will be allowed to participate, whether the election will be genuinely inclusive, and whether the process will reflect the will of the Somali people.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud must recognize that Somalia is approaching a critical political crossroads. The country appears increasingly divided, while disputes in places such as Jowhar and Beledweyne have become more complicated.
This raises a fundamental question: What has been achieved in strengthening the federal system and preserving Somalia’s political unity during the current administration?
Somalia urgently needs an inclusive, credible, transparent, and nationally agreed electoral process. The country cannot afford another political confrontation in which stakeholders feel excluded, as this would further deepen mistrust between the Federal Government, Federal Member States, and political actors.
If the current political divisions continue unchecked, Somalia could face an increasingly dangerous period of fragmentation. The country has already experienced the devastating consequences of political and social divisions, and the current warnings should not be ignored.
There are also growing concerns about the impact of political and clan divisions on the national security forces, including reports of Somali soldiers being subjected to violence in areas where they had spent years confronting the country’s enemies.
This should be a moment of serious reflection for Somalia’s leadership.
Is there still enough political courage, national responsibility, and patriotism to prevent the country from sliding further into division?
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Somalia’s political leaders must prioritize national dialogue, reconciliation, and an inclusive electoral agreement. The country’s future should not be determined by political confrontation, exclusion, or individual interests, but by a process that protects national unity and gives all Somalis a meaningful stake in their country’s political future.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author, Abdikhadir Abdi Barre, and does not necessarily reflect the views of any media organization, institution, or other party.
