Somalia has officially called for the dissolution of the international C6+ coordination mechanism, stating that the framework no longer aligns with the country’s political maturity and national direction.
In a formal letter from the Office of the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Somali authorities emphasized that the C6+—originally designed to support Somalia during its post-conflict transition—has become obsolete. The government now seeks to reframe international cooperation through direct bilateral partnerships that reflect the country’s evolving sovereignty.
“Somalia is no longer a state in transition,” said State Minister Ali Omar Bal’ad. “We have functioning constitutional institutions, an advancing democratic system, and a national vision guided by reform, peace, and development. Continued reference to the C6+ distorts the image of our political maturity and independence.”
The C6+ group was formed to coordinate international engagement during Somalia’s fragile years after state collapse, bringing together major donor countries and international agencies. While it played a crucial role in the past, Somali officials now view the continued use of the framework as a remnant of dependency-era politics.
A Call for Respectful Partnership
The Somali government thanked international partners for their contributions through the C6+ but insisted that future cooperation must align with current institutional frameworks. “We urge our partners to respect the sovereignty of the Somali state by working through legitimate and updated channels,” Minister Bal’ad added.
The letter, addressed to UN Special Representative James Swan, acknowledged the contributions of the United Nations and donor states in helping rebuild Somalia’s institutions but made clear that ongoing use of the C6+ is counterproductive in today’s context.
The move comes at a critical time, with internal debates intensifying over upcoming elections and the full handover of security responsibilities from international forces to national agencies. It remains to be seen how the United Nations and donor states within the C6+ will respond to Somalia’s request.