FPS Quarterly Brief – January, 2026 The Middle East and the Horn of Africa have seen more than their share of foreign-induced and indulged separatist movements in recent years.—Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, and several dormant others. External actors continue to back fragmentation, betting that division will open doors for their own influence. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, by contrast, has consistently…
Dr. Adam Aw Hirsi, Director of Foresight for Practical Solutions. They were born into a country that had already vanished from their parents’ hands. The Somali Democratic Republic collapsed in 1991, and the idea of one meaningful and cherished shared home collapsed with it. Thirty-four years later, the state still hasn’t come back—not in any way that feels solid. In…
FPS Quarterly. September, 2025. On July 30, 2025, Somalia achieved a transformative milestone with the establishment of the North-East State, a new federal member state encompassing approximately 40% of the former British Somaliland Protectorate, including the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn (SSC) regions. This bold and historic achievement, spearheaded by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, marks…
Overview The socio-political landscape of Somalia during the second quarter of 2025 presents a complex interplay of progress and challenges. Key advancements in national priorities are noteworthy; however, these gains are overshadowed by lingering uncertainties within the political arena. As Somalia approaches pivotal elections scheduled for 2026, it becomes increasingly imperative to assess how these developments may influence the country’s…
Executive Summary Al Shabaab’s resurgence in Somalia, marked by recent attacks in Galmudug and Southwest Federal Member States, as well as the failed assassination attempt on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on March 18, 2025, underscores the urgent need for a coordinated, all-encompassing national response. The group’s strategy is, among other things, to exploit political uncertainties during Somalia’s electoral transition, which…
In recent months, the troubling trend of Somali poets, particularly from Northern Somalia, joining Al Shabaab has ignited debates about the interplay between art, resistance, and militancy. Poetry, historically regarded as a voice of the people, has often been employed as a political tool in the Somali peninsula. Prominent figures like Hadraawi, Gaarriye, Maruuryoode Abdi Mohamed Amiin, Dhoodaan, et al….
In recent years, Somalia has been at the forefront of a military struggle against the Islamist militant group Al Shabaab, an affiliate of Al Qaeda. However, under the current leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, there appears to be a significant shift in priorities away from counterterrorism efforts against Al Shabaab. Instead, the political,…
Introduction The establishment of the Independent National Electoral & Boundaries Commission (INEBC) by the Somali Federal Parliament today (173 MPs vs 0 votes) is a pivotal moment in the nation’s journey towards democratic governance. However, this development has not been without its controversies and challenges, which could undermine the very stability and progress it aims to foster. Overview of Recent…
