Mogadishu (Dawan Africa) The Federal Government of Somalia has formally requested the termination of the C6+ coordination framework, arguing that it no longer reflects the country’s sovereign status. The move follows Somalia’s recent election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), signaling the nation's growing role in global governance.
The C6+—a group consisting of the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), United Nations, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Sweden—was established more than a decade ago to coordinate international support during Somalia’s political transition.
In a letter sent on June 10, 2025, to UN Special Representative James Swan, Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ali Omar, declared that Somalia no longer needs ad hoc coordination structures. “Somalia is no longer in transition. We are now a functioning democracy with constitutional institutions and a national agenda for peace and development,” he wrote.
The call comes days after C6+ ambassadors met with opposition leaders in Mogadishu, raising concerns within the Somali government over what officials described as “external political bypassing.”
Political analysts say the Somali government’s decision is a direct response to longstanding concerns over the extent of C6+ influence in the country’s internal affairs. “Over the past decade, the C6+ has operated as a de facto government in Somalia,” said one Mogadishu-based analyst. “They’ve had a hand in nearly every key political decision—from elections to federal-state relations.”
Critics argue that while the C6+ initially played a stabilizing role, its prolonged presence and political weight increasingly undermined Somalia’s sovereignty and national ownership.
“International coordination is valuable, but it must evolve. Somalia’s foreign relations should be managed by the Somali state, not through parallel platforms,” Ali Haji, a former diplomat noted.
Somalia now proposes direct bilateral cooperation with each C6+ member state and organization. The government says this model better aligns with principles of mutual respect and its new status as a sovereign actor on the global stage.
While thanking C6+ partners for their past contributions, the Somali government insisted that future engagement must reflect the reality of a stable Somalia with growing regional and international responsibilities.
“As a member of the UN Security Council, Somalia has both the right and the responsibility to define its partnerships. We remain committed to cooperation—but through equal, sovereign terms,” Minister Ali stated.
