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Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called on the nation to move past the long-standing 4.5 clan-based power-sharing system, describing it as an outdated arrangement that no longer serves the country’s democratic ambitions. Speaking on Thursday in Arta, Djibouti—where the formula was first introduced 25 years ago—President Mohamud said the system helped stabilize Somalia after years of state collapse but has now become a roadblock to progress.
“The 4.5 system was created when Somalia had nothing. It was meant to guide us through a difficult time, but it has stayed with us far too long,” he said. The president urged Somali leaders to embrace governance based on fairness, competence, and justice instead of clan affiliation. He emphasized that ending personality and clan-based politics is key to achieving a modern and unified state.
The 4.5 formula was established during the 2000 Arta Peace Conference in Djibouti, held when Somalia had no functioning central government. The conference brought together more than 2,500 delegates, including elders, scholars, women, and business leaders, under the guidance of IGAD and the Djiboutian government. It produced the Arta Declaration, which affirmed Somalia’s unity and sovereignty and led to the creation of the Transitional National Government (TNG) under President Abdiqasim Salad Hassan—the first internationally recognized Somali administration since 1991. This marked Somalia’s return to the international stage through renewed membership in organizations like the United Nations and African Union.
Under the 4.5 system, the country’s 275 parliamentary seats were distributed along clan lines: each of the four main clans received 61 seats, while minority and marginalized groups shared 31. While the arrangement initially brought stability and inclusivity, critics say it later entrenched clan identity in politics, sidelined capable leaders, and limited the participation of women and youth. Many argue that it institutionalized inequality and weakened national unity.
Although Somali leaders have often promised reform, finding political consensus has proven difficult. The 4.5 system remains the foundation of government formation, power-sharing, and resource allocation. Dismantling it without a clear replacement risks destabilizing the fragile balance of power. Nonetheless, pressure for change has grown as Somalia prepares for its first direct national elections in 2026.
Reform advocates believe a shift to a one-person, one-vote system is essential for genuine democracy, while others warn that abandoning clan quotas too soon could reignite old divisions. The issue remains deeply sensitive, balancing the need for equality with the fear of renewed instability.
President Mohamud’s speech in Arta carried both symbolic and political weight. Returning to the birthplace of the 4.5 system underscored Somalia’s progress from the chaos of the 1990s to a nation striving for democratic renewal. He said Somalia’s future must be built on justice, equality, and accountable leadership rather than clan loyalty.
“We must create a system that unites Somalis,” the president said. “One that is built on justice, equality, and good governance.” His message reflects a growing national desire to move beyond the politics of division toward a future defined by unity and democratic values.