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.