Somalia is in the midst of a dangerous political standoff that has resulted in armed clashes in Mogadishu and other parts of the country. At the heart of the crisis is President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's controversial effort to extend his term in office by one year, from May 2026 to May 2027, through constitutional amendments that opposition leaders and several regional governments reject. Meanwhile, countries in the region are competing for influence in Somalia, raising the specter that outside forces could fuel a wider conflict.
Aweis Ahmed of Chatham House explains what's driving the crisis, what's at stake, and whether a path to de-escalation remains.