By: Abdirahman Abdi Ahmed
For decades, every Somali citizen has carried the aspiration of living in a truly independent state, free from external interference, governed through Somali-led and Somali-owned institutions, and sustained by self-reliant economic and political systems. While this vision remains a legitimate and worthy goal, the path to achieving it requires careful statecraft, inclusive governance, and constructive engagement with both domestic and international stakeholders.
Recently, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud issued a letter to members of the C6+ group—key international partners urging them to refrain from interfering in Somalia’s internal affairs and to respect its sovereignty. This move marks a noticeable shift from his previous stance during the administration of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, when he publicly encouraged international engagement to address internal political challenges. This raises an important policy question: can Somalia, in its current state of heavy aid dependency, afford to diminish the role of the very actors that have sustained its governance, security, and economic frameworks over the last two decades?
The international community’s role in Somalia’s recovery cannot be overstated. From stabilizing key state institutions to providing technical expertise, financial assistance, and political facilitation, their engagement has been pivotal in guiding the country’s gradual transition from a state of complete institutional collapse to one with functioning systems of governance. This partnership has not only helped to restore basic administrative capacities but also fostered an environment where Somali leaders could begin shaping a national vision for peace, stability, and development.
Between 2000 and 2012, Somalia navigated an extended transitional phase under provisional governance structures that limited its ability to participate meaningfully in global trade, diplomacy, and security cooperation. These constraints reflected both the fragility of its internal political settlement and the absence of internationally recognized, permanent state institutions. However, through sustained mediation, targeted capacity-building, and consistent institutional support, Somalia gradually re-emerged as a recognized sovereign state. Today, it holds membership in key regional blocs and participates actively in international organizations, milestones that signal its re-entry into the global community, even as it continues to face complex challenges on the path toward full political and economic stability.
Somalia’s inclusion in the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative championed by donors and multilateral financial institutions was a landmark achievement. The country’s exit from unsustainable debt opened the door to global markets and financing. Expectations were high for a post-HIPC Somalia to embrace robust fiscal reforms, improve revenue systems, and pivot toward investment-led growth. However, those expectations remain largely unmet, as structural reforms have been slow and aid dependence persists.
The decades-long UN arms embargo, while originally intended to limit the flow of weapons to armed groups, severely constrained Somalia’s capacity to rebuild and modernize its security sector. Over the years, persistent diplomatic engagement by Somalia’s international partners, combined with assurances of improved oversight, ultimately led to the lifting of the embargo, a milestone seen as both a vote of confidence and a strategic necessity. This development was accompanied by substantial investments in training, equipping, and professionalizing Somali security forces, aimed at enabling them to take full responsibility for national defense and counterterrorism operations. However, lingering concerns persist over the management, transparency, and accountability of these resources, particularly in light of credible reports of diversion, misuse, and the troubling resurgence of Al-Shabab in strategically significant areas. These risks, if left unaddressed, threaten to undermine both the gains achieved and the broader security transition.
From providing humanitarian relief in moments of acute crisis to driving governance reforms, rehabilitating critical infrastructure, and delivering social services, donor-funded programs have been central to sustaining the essential functions of the Somali state. In the face of recurring droughts, floods, and conflict-driven displacement, these interventions have played a decisive role in mitigating humanitarian emergencies, preventing deeper social and economic collapse, and maintaining a basic safety net for vulnerable communities. Beyond immediate relief, international support has helped strengthen state institutions, enhance public sector capacity, and restore key infrastructure such as roads, ports, schools, and health facilities, laying the groundwork for long-term stability. For millions of Somali citizens, these combined efforts have translated into more than just material assistance; they have provided a tangible sense of recovery, renewed trust in public services, and hope that a more resilient and self-sustaining future is possible.
Despite notable gains, recent developments under the current administration raise serious concerns about the sustainability of Somalia’s progress. Endemic corruption, weak financial oversight, and the mismanagement of aid resources have not only undermined public trust but also strained relations with key international partners. The absence of a cohesive and forward-looking economic policy further complicates recovery, leaving the country heavily dependent on external assistance while failing to generate sustainable domestic revenues. These challenges risk reversing hard-won achievements, weakening institutions, and eroding the fragile confidence that citizens and partners have placed in the Somali state. Unless addressed through stronger accountability mechanisms, improved resource management, and a clear economic vision, Somalia’s path toward stability and sovereignty will remain vulnerable to reversal.
The security landscape is equally troubling. While the National Forces were initially strengthened to combat terrorism, they have at times been drawn into political rivalries, allowing extremist groups to exploit governance vacuums and regain lost ground. On several occasions, the Federal Government has politicized the security forces to suppress dissenting voices and has abused federal governance systems established under the Somali Constitution.
Politically, the dissolution of the National Consultative Council, coupled with a growing shift toward centralizing decision-making within the Federal Government, has eroded the principles of inclusivity and consensus that are fundamental to Somalia’s federal model. The absence of a functional forum for dialogue among federal and state leaders has not only stalled progress on critical governance issues but also exacerbated mistrust between political actors. Attempts to engage with opposition forces have largely faltered, further entrenching divisions and deepening political polarization at a time when unity and collaborative problem-solving are urgently needed to navigate the country’s complex security, humanitarian, and economic challenges.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s current approach to the electoral process appears to prioritize a narrow, self-serving agenda rather than a genuinely inclusive and consensus-driven framework. By sidelining broad-based dialogue and failing to foster political compromise, this trajectory risks deepening divisions and plunging the country into renewed instability. Moreover, the proposed “one person, one vote” electoral model, while desirable in principle, does not reflect the complex realities on the ground, where significant portions of territory remain under Al-Shabab control and basic security conditions are absent. Attempting to implement such a system prematurely could further disenfranchise communities and erode confidence in the democratic process. What Somalia urgently requires is an electoral model that is inclusive, transparent, and rooted in national consensus, one that takes into account security realities, strengthens public trust, and safeguards both peace and unity during this critical transitional period
Balancing Sovereignty and Partnership
Somalia’s sovereignty is a legitimate concern for any national leader, and the desire to guard against undue external influence is understandable. However, in a context where international aid underwrites critical sectors, from elections to security and economic stabilization, an abrupt or antagonistic disengagement risks undermining both governance stability and public trust. The path forward lies in recalibrating, rather than severing, the relationships between Somalia and its international partners, with a focus on building a more balanced and mutually beneficial engagement. This begins with defining clear, Somali-led priorities that reflect the country’s national interests while remaining consistent with the frameworks of international support, ensuring that external assistance complements rather than dictates the national agenda. Equally important is strengthening transparency and accountability in the management of aid to rebuild donor trust and guarantee that resources are directed toward projects and services that deliver tangible benefits to the Somali people. Revitalizing inclusive political dialogue is essential to enhance the legitimacy of governance decisions, foster national cohesion, and prevent the deepening of political divides that could undermine stability. At the same time, sustained investment in domestic revenue generation and economic diversification will be critical to gradually reducing dependence on foreign aid, paving the way for a self-reliant and resilient Somali economy.
Conclusion
Somalia stands at a critical crossroads. The long-sought dream of full sovereignty can only be realized through strong institutions, accountable leadership, and the restoration of trust between the state, its citizens, and its partners. To dismiss the role of the international community while continuing to depend on their financial and technical support is not only contradictory, it risks unraveling two decades of hard-won progress. Genuine independence will not emerge from isolation but from the careful balancing of national ownership with sustained collaboration. If Somalia is to truly “stand on its own,” it must anchor that independence in strategic partnerships, mutual respect, and responsible governance. In Somalia’s current reality, sovereignty and international cooperation are not opposing forces; they are interdependent pillars that must work in tandem to secure peace, stability, and prosperity.
Abdirahman Abdi Ahmed, is the Minister of Planning, Investment and International Cooperation- Jubaland State of Somalia.
