1 January 2021

Ahead of the upcoming elections, the former President of Somalia and also a candidate for the 2021 presidential election, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, was received by Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni. During a warm meeting, the sides discussed ways and opportunities for strengthening cooperation.

Somalia is trying to avoid the potholes dotting its road towards democratization and stabilization as it seeks to build a responsive and responsible nation.

Disagreements are an indication that members of the political class are embracing dialogue to find a settlement that covers all interests. In that light, we can see how Somalia is finally building the foundations of a functional state.

So while the 2020 Somali elections' impasse appears as a crisis, in a different light, it can be seen as the success of state-building efforts. But those political elites must continue to advance their knowledge of state-building that includes a great role for civil society in educating citizens.

How this impasse unfolds into 2021 will reveal the state of the country's journey.