Federal Governance and Intergovernmental Relations in Somalia: Challenges and Opportunities

Intergovernmental relations (IGR) play a central role in building a stable Somali state: solid cooperation between the Federal Government and the Federal Member States reduces political tension, promotes effective service delivery and prevents fragmentation. Yet federal and state leaders often disagree, the constitution is not fully clear, many institutions remain weak, and there is no permanent system guiding how both levels should work together. Based on a qualitative desk review of policy reports, official documents and the Provisional Constitution (2012), the poster identifies persistent political disputes, overlapping mandates, limited institutional capacity and the lack of a legal platform for structured dialogue as key challenges, and recommends a permanent FGS–FMS consultation council, completion of the constitutional review, stronger institutional capacity and renewed dialogue to rebuild trust.