The crisis in Somalia’s federal system has opened a new and potentially volatile front. The Ministries of Religious Affairs from Galmudug, Hirshabelle, South West, and the Northeast (Puntland) have jointly announced a complete suspension of cooperation with the Federal Government’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Islamic Affairs.
In a joint press statement released on Monday, the four state-level ministries declared they would no longer coordinate on religious occasions, endowment (Awqaf) management, or strategic decisions until a formal consultation process is established.
The Core Dispute: Authority and Autonomy
The suspension stems from what the state ministries describe as a “protracted dispute” over the management of Somalia’s religious landscape. The joint statement accuses the Federal Ministry in Mogadishu of violating federalism principles and bypassing the constitutional authority of the Federal Member States (FMS).
According to the signatories, the central government has neglected the “role and autonomy” of the states as enshrined in the provisional constitution, particularly regarding the administration of religious services and local endowments.
While the ministries affirmed they would continue to provide services to their local communities independently, the breakdown in vertical cooperation effectively splinters the nation’s religious administration.
A Widening Political Gulf
This move follows a pattern of increasing fragmentation between Villa Somalia and regional administrations. It comes just days after Puntland rejected a federal directive to cancel agreements with the UAE, highlighting a broader struggle over jurisdiction that now permeates every level of governance—from security pacts to mosque management.
See Also: Puntland Rejects Federal Decision to Cancel UAE Pacts, Vows to Maintain Bosaso Port Deal
See Also: Somali President Vows Inclusive Dialogue Amid Federal Rift
The Existential Risk
Analysts warn that the politicization of religious affairs poses a unique threat to national cohesion. In Somalia, Islam has historically served as the “unifying national identity” that transcends clan divisions and political borders.
By severing ties in this domain, the dispute threatens to erode one of the few remaining pillars of shared national life. The suspension affects critical areas of social influence, including: Mosque Management, Awqaf, Public Celebrations and the coordination of national religious holidays and observances.
See Also: Religious Affairs Minister Warns of Rising Immorality in Mogadishu
