Mogadishu — in a significant move, the Federal Government of Somalia has formally called for the dissolution of the C6+ framework, describing it as outdated and misaligned with the country’s current political landscape. In a letter dated June 10 and addressed to James Swan—the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia and Head of the UN Transition Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS)—Ali Omar, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, underscored that the C6+, an international coordination initiative created during a period of political uncertainty, has lost its relevance.
This announcement follows an exclusive Somali Stream report on a recent C6+ meeting where ambassadors from the US, UN, and UK raised alarms over President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s perceived unwillingness to hold meaningful discussions with opposition leaders and the federal states of Puntland and Jubaland. Meanwhile, EU Ambassador Karin Johansson voiced her backing of the government’s unilateral election procedures.
In the letter, the Somali government emphasized the country’s progress into a fully sovereign nation with established constitutional institutions and a developing democratic system under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Minister Ali Omar further warned that continued dependence on the C6+ might reinforce the perception that Somalia is still under foreign political control, which could undermine the credibility and respect of its own democratic institutions.
“The C6+ was created during a period of intense political fragility and transition in Somalia, when international engagement through ad-hoc coordination platforms was necessary. it was a product of the post-2010 environment when institutions were nascent, and Somalia’s sovereignty was significantly constrained. Today, that context has fundamentally changed,” the letter read.
Somalia urged international partners to collaborate through official bilateral channels and recognized forums that accurately reflect the nation’s present-day realities. “The Federal Government considers the C6+ to be an obsolete structure whose original purpose and logic no longer apply. We therefore urge all partners to engage Somalia through established and recognized frameworks that reflect our current status.” The government stated.
Despite this significant shift, Mogadishu reaffirmed its commitment to building strong, respectful, and productive relationships with all former C6+ allies—stressing that future cooperation should be guided by Somalia’s own vision for peace and progress.
Last week, Somali Stream also reported exclusively that Western embassies and the United Nations Office, located within Mogadishu’s fortified Halane compound, are spearheading preparations for a National Conference. The initiative aims to bring together Somalia’s federal government, leaders of regional states, opposition figures, and former top officials—including ex-presidents and prime ministers—to resolve disputes over elections, constitutional changes, and counter-terrorism strategies. This effort has sparked strong objections from Villa Somalia, leading to the recent letter addressed to James Swan’s office as a clear and unequivocal response.
With key opposition leaders from the Salvation Forum, led by Former President Sherif Sheikh Ahmed, along with the Federal Member States of Puntland and Jubaland, rejecting Villa Somalia’s dialogue conference on June 15, a political impasse between the Federal Government of Somalia and its International Partners seems inevitable.