Briefing Paper

The National Security Council Meeting in Mogadishu: The Sisyphean Search for Political Agreement in Somalia

The breakdown of relations between the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member States has crippled the peace and state building initiatives in the country for the last few years. The National Security Council Meeting in Mogadishu presents a unique opportunity to the parties to breach this political logjam and reach agreements on the most crucial issues. There are many areas that the two sides can cooperate with each other at the moment. The National Security Plan to liberate and stabilise the country can be reviewed and agreement reached to build strong and effective Somali security forces. Sharing of power, revenues and resources has become Somalia’s Achilles heel.