Partnership Agreements to Avoid Accountability.In the midst of national and international efforts to save Somalia from sliding into civilstrife and anarchy because of political deadlock and increased threats from terrorist
group Al Shabab, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, paradoxically ordered his State Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to write a letter to the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General (SRSG) and the Head of the African Union Transition Mission for Somalia (UNTMIS) for immediate end of the C6+ international Platform established under international partnership agreements to coordinate the
international support for political, security, and development needs of Somalia.
The subtle objective of this inopportune action is to shift the focus from the most critical issue of holding national dialogue conference among the Somali political stakeholders
to resolve current political and governance turmoil.
Through the C6+ platform, Somalia, the typical fragile state in the world, has received substantial international support in terms of security, budget support, conflict resolution,debt relief, humanitarian assistance, diplomatic and political support as well as protection and respect of national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence.
The office of the SRSG plays the central role of coordinating international support and of facilitating the resolutions of political crises that frequently endanger the stability and peaceful transfer of power by the end of each political cycle.
The Minister’s letter states that “the C6+ as a tool of external political coordination both outdated and counterproductive. It is not aligned with the principles of partnership, mutual respect, and national ownership that underpin Somalia’s relations with the international community today. Moreover, it’s continued international reference 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.”
First, it’s inaccurate that C6+ is only a tool of external political coordination. Second, the Minister’s claim that Somalia has functioning constitutional institutions with democratic maturity is truly laughable, debunked by the call of President Hassan for national dialogue to address the current political deadlock and by the indicting press statement issued by the Opposition Alliance – the Somali Salvation Council. President Hassan is
accused of abusive of power, corruption, nepotism, incompetence, human rights violations, dismantlement of state institutions, and unlawful amendment of the constitution and election system.
The Minister’s claim insults the intelligence of anyone familiar with the political and security situation of Somalia. Since 1991, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia have never been violated. The basic problem is the absence of national government capable of uniting and governing the entire country. In general, the C6+ Coordination Platform among international partners represents the last resort to diffuse political crises that continually develop among Somali political elite for access and exercise of state power.
Therefore, the letter aims to bully the international partners after taking common position against President Hassan’sdisastrous dictatorial policies that threw Somalia into deeper crises and conflicts, urging
him to engage the opposition and regional states.
It’s suspected that the idea of the letter emerged from a reported split among International Partners, particularly from the wild lone view of the European Union Ambassador Karin Johansson to Somalia, who siding with President Hassan, reportedly scolded other members of the International Partners “not to undermine the authority of Villa Somalia (the President).” It’s not clear the justification behind the outlandish view of
the EU Ambassador after witnessing over the last 3 years the clear deterioration of the political and security situation of Somalia.
The Minister’s letter grossly misrepresents the political, security, economic, and social situation of the country. It ignores the crises Somalia finds itself and the urgent need for
international intervention. Finally, it fails to recognize that the fundamental principles guiding the foreign Aid are based on effective and efficient coordination to avoidduplication and on the promotion of ownership and alignment for the benefit of recipientcountries.
The foreign Aid to fragile States is more complex because of the weak capacities of national Institutions. Donors, accountable to their taxpayers and aid
beneficiaries, scrutinize recipient’s policies for better use of aid resources.
The letter is also part of campaign to force the international partners to accomplice president Hassan’s strategy of power grab and personal rule. On June 10, 2025, WardheerNews published a piece under the title “Ex-Hirshabelle Leader Cosoble Launches Baseless Tirade Against UN Envoy,” criticizing former President of Hirshabelle State Abdullahi Ali Ossoble, who is member of President Hassan Sheik’sPolitical Party, for his unsubstantiated accusations against the SRSG James Swan.
ExPresident Ossoble alleged that James Swan has become the mouthpiece [spokesman] for the Council for the Salvation of the Somali People, a prominent Opposition Alliance.
He also accused the opposition for “standing in front of foreigners every morning.” The motto of president Hassan is “either accept my domination or you are an enemy with norights.”
It's unfortunate that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation failed to impress President Hassan that Somalia is under Chapter VII of UN Charter and the protocol of Peace and Security of the African Union. For that reason, Somalia is supported under multiple coordination frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNCF), C6+ framework (Ethiopia, Italy, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, the African Union (AU), The European Union (EU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)), the Quintet framework for development and security (Qatar, Turkey, UAE, USA, UK) , Troop Contributing Countries (Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Burundi, Djibouti, AU and IGAD),
IMF Strategy for Fragile and Conflict Affected Countries, WB Somalia Multi Partner Fund, African Development Bank), UN Security Council for peace and security maintenance, Debt Relief framework (Paris Club), and many other frameworks. In addition, the Ministry of foreign affairs fails to recognize that C6+ is the result of 2017 London international “New Partnership” and “Security Pact” to support Somalia until it gains selfgoverning capacity.
In his book “Adkeysi,” Presidential Candidate and member of the federal parliament Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame reported dispute over sovereignty claim between Somali leaders that included Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari (AUN), Omar Abdirashid, Sharif Xassan, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gas Abdikarim Guled, Ahmed Madobe and former SRSG Nicholas Key. Late Speaker Jawari (AUN)
argued that Somalia is a sovereign state that can solve its internal political disagreements without external pressure or intervention and the UN should stop pressuring Somali leaders, giving them space and time.
In response, Ambassador Nicholas said: “Aniga meeshaan waxaan ku jooga awoodda Golaha Ammaanka ee Qarammada Midoobay oo ay waajibadkiisa ka mid tahay ilaalinta nabadda iyo xasillonida adduunka, laakin markii aad gaartaan in aadan u baahan in Golaha Ammaanka uusan idiin soo dirin Ergay Gaar ah, markii aad askarta ajnabiga ah ee idiin ilaalineysa ka maarantaan oo kuwo Soomali ah isku aamintaan, markii aad canshurtiinaaad dowladdiina ku maammulataaan, markii aad xuduudaha iyo gobannimada dalkiina ilaashaan kartaan- markaas ayaad sidaas ila hadli kartaa guddoomiye! Waxay aheyddaqiiqad weji gabax leh oo runta la is taabsiiyey (bogga 226-227) In rough translation,
“I’m here on the authority of the UN Security Council which has the responsibility of protection of the world peace and security, but when you achieve a level that you don’t need UN Security Council sending Special Envoy to you, that you don’t need foreign troops protecting you and you trust the protection of Somali security forces, your tax revenue are enough to maintain the running of your government, when you can protect and defend your borders and independence, then you can talk to me like that Mr. Speaker.! It was a moment of embarrassment and bluntness. Somalia has been repeatedly urged to achieve sovereign capability by the end of 2024, but unfortunately, after thorough assessment conducted in collaboration with the Federal government, it has been agreed that Somalia needs at least 6 more years to stand on its feet.
All Partnerships were renewed. It’s inconceivable that the President and the Minister forgot that arrangement. Today, Somalia runs the risk of not only not making progress but losing the small gains made over the last decade, including the
acceptance of the shared constitution. It’s flabbergasting that President Hassan who experienced such embarrassment probably in 2015 and who during his years of opposition had repeatedly appealed to the International Community to play its role in the resolution of the disputes between the federal government and the opposition, conveniently chose to claim sovereignty and democratic maturity to reject the C6+ mediation efforts to resolve current political concerns. Somali leaders have embarrassed themselves and tarnished the honor and dignity of the Somali people. It’s absolutely incredible the level of stupidity andimmorality of the Somali leaders.
Today the Somali people are reminded Albert Einstein’s statement, which is: "The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything." The statement encourages everyone to act and stop the harm inflicted on Somalia by dishonest, incompetent Somali leaders.
Dr. Mohamud M Uluso
MohamudUluso@Gmail.Com
