Mogadishu(WDN) — The United States is reassessing its engagement with Somalia as Washington signals that Somali leaders must take primary responsibility for resolving the country’s deepening political crisis, amid nearly a year of failed negotiations over elections, constitutional changes and the next political transition.

Justin Davis, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Mogadishu, is completing his tenure after taking over the embassy in January 2026. U.S. diplomats say Washington is placing greater emphasis on mutual responsibility, with Somalia expected to determine its own political future.

Davis has previously said that Somalia’s future belongs to its people and leaders and that the United States does not intend to decide how Somalis choose their government.

The message comes as the Federal Government, opposition groups and three federal member states remain deeply divided over the country’s electoral and constitutional framework.

No Deal After Nearly a Year of Talks

Despite months of negotiations and mediation, the political actors have failed to resolve the most basic questions surrounding the transition:

What electoral system should Somalia use? Who has the authority to organize the vote? What constitutional rules should govern the process? And can an election be legitimate if major opposition forces and federal member states reject the framework?

The government has pushed ahead with its electoral agenda, while opposition groups and federal member states have demanded a broader political agreement before the process moves forward.

The result is a growing contradiction: Somalia is discussing elections without agreement on the rules under which they will be held.

The constitutional dispute has made the situation even more complicated, with disagreements over who can amend the Constitution, how changes should be approved and whether the process has sufficient political consensus.

U.S. Focus Remains Security

Washington continues to prioritize the fight against Al-Shabaab, security cooperation, counterterrorism financing and migration. American diplomats have also warned that political divisions could undermine Somalia’s security efforts. But the United States appears increasingly unwilling to take ownership of Somalia’s political settlement.

The shift comes after international mediation efforts repeatedly failed to produce an agreement between the government, opposition and federal member states.

Meanwhile, Turkey, China and the United Arab Emirates are expanding their political, economic and strategic engagement with Somalia, creating an increasingly competitive external environment. The immediate challenge, however, remains inside Somalia.The country does not lack dialogue. It lacks agreement.

Until the Federal Government, opposition forces and federal member states reach consensus on the Constitution, electoral rules and transition arrangements, Somalia risks remaining trapped in a cycle of failed negotiations, disputed elections and contested constitutional authority.

Washington’s message is increasingly clear: Somalia has international partners, but Somali leaders must decide the country’s political future.

WardheerNews