Thursday June 12, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali government has formally called for
the dissolution of the C6+ international coordination framework, arguing that
the mechanism no longer reflects the nation’s current political and security
realities.
In a letter sent on Wednesday from the Office of the State
Minister for Foreign Affairs, the government stated that Somalia is no longer a
country in transition but a sovereign state with functioning constitutional
institutions, a maturing democratic process, and a clear national agenda for
peace and development.
"Under the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh
Mohamud, Somalia is implementing a comprehensive reform program. In this new
context, the continued use of the C6+ as an external coordination tool is
outdated and counterproductive," the letter said.
The C6+ group—comprising key international donors and
partners—was established in the aftermath of Somalia’s post-conflict
transitional period to coordinate international political engagement. It played
a central role during years of institutional fragility and external dependency.
However, State Minister Ali Omar Bal’ad emphasized that the
structure’s purpose and logic have outlived their relevance. "The
continued reference to C6+ in international discourse gives the misleading
impression that Somalia remains under externally driven political guidance,
which unjustly undermines the legitimacy and maturity of our democratic
institutions," the minister stated.
He urged international partners to engage through current
and recognized frameworks, particularly bilateral cooperation, which reflect
Somalia’s evolving sovereignty and governance capacity.
The letter, addressed to UN Special Representative James
Swan,
expressed gratitude to C6+ members for their long-standing support in
peacebuilding, stabilization, and institutional development over the past
decade. It also called for aligning future cooperation with Somalia’s existing
structures and national priorities.
Despite the government’s call for its dissolution, C6+
member states and UN agencies have not yet publicly responded to the request.
The move also comes at a sensitive time, coinciding with ongoing domestic
political disputes over upcoming elections and national security
responsibilities.