MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somalia has called for dismantling the C6+ diplomatic coordination platform, describing it as outdated and incompatible with the country’s current political and institutional maturity.

In a formal letter addressed to UN Special Representative James Swan, Somalia’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ali Omar, said the framework—established more than a decade ago to coordinate international political support—no longer reflects the country’s progress.

“The continuation of the C6+ as a tool of external political coordination is outdated and counterproductive,” Ali Omar wrote. He argued that the platform, designed during a period of political fragility, undermines Somalia’s sovereignty and gives the impression that the country remains under foreign oversight.

The C6+ was formed in the post-2010 era to bring together key international stakeholders—including the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden, Ethiopia, the African Union, the European Union, and IGAD—to support Somalia’s state-building efforts after years of conflict and institutional collapse.

The group played a central role in shaping electoral processes, promoting peacebuilding, and guiding the country through successive political transitions.

Somalia cites progress

But Somalia’s government says that era has passed.

“Today, Somalia is no longer a country in transition. It is a sovereign state with functioning constitutional institutions, a maturing democratic process, and a clear national vision for peace and development,” the letter said.

Under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s leadership, the federal government has launched a broad reform agenda, including the development of new electoral legislation, efforts to implement one-person-one-vote elections, and a transition from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to Somali-led security arrangements.

Officials argue that continued reliance on externally driven coordination platforms undercuts the legitimacy of these initiatives.

Somalia is not seeking to end international cooperation, Ali Omar stressed, but rather to engage with partners through channels that reflect the country’s current status and aspirations.

“Somalia remains committed to close, constructive partnerships with all C6+ members, grounded in mutual respect and shared goals,” he wrote.

Villa Somalia–C6+ tensions rise

The letter comes as Somalia attempts to reassert its international standing and secure full control over its domestic political and security agenda.

The Somali government has expressed frustration that mechanisms like the C6+ often function outside official structures and risk diluting national ownership of core reforms.

Diplomatic sources in Mogadishu say the letter has sparked quiet consultations among C6+ partners. While no official response has been issued, discussions are reportedly underway to reassess coordination mechanisms in light of Somalia’s request.

The letter also follows growing friction between Villa Somalia and international actors over a proposed National Conference. As first reported by Caasimada Online, Western embassies, and the United Nations, operating from Mogadishu’s heavily fortified Halane compound, are leading efforts to convene a high-level political dialogue.

The planned conference aims to bring together federal leaders, regional presidents, opposition groups, and former heads of state to resolve disputes over elections, constitutional reform, and security policy.

Villa Somalia has strongly objected to the initiative, viewing it as external interference in Somalia’s domestic political process. The letter to UN envoy James Swan is widely seen as a direct response to what the government perceives as an overreach by international partners.

Tensions have further escalated as leading opposition figures from the Salvation Forum—headed by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed—along with the federal member states of Puntland and Jubaland, rejected the government’s separate dialogue initiative scheduled for June 15.

With both sides entrenched, a political impasse between Somalia’s federal authorities and key international stakeholders appears increasingly unavoidable.