Somalia has entered a dangerous political stalemate that could unravel the significant progress made on peace-building and state-building since the end of the transition in 2012.
The announcement on 8 September 2018 by the leaders of five federal member states to suspend cooperation with the Federal Government is alarming on many levels, not least because such a coordinated action by the states is unprecedented.
The response – or lack of it – by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) on a crisis of this magnitude is a further cause for serious concern. More than ever before, it is essential that the two sides engage in serious dialogue, in order to reach viable and sustainable compromises.