Sharif delivered perhaps the most striking comparison of the evening when he argued that Somalia’s political trajectory bears worrying similarities to Afghanistan before the collapse of its internationally backed government. “Afghanistan collapsed because of the absence of political consensus and because corruption hollowed out state institutions,” he said. Future Forum leaders insist that proposal is intended to preserve, rather than replace, Somalia’s state institutions until an agreed constitutional and electoral settlement can be reached. Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre also delivered a sharp warning, arguing that Somalia’s unresolved political crisis could damage the country’s relationships with international partners. Kheyre said prolonged uncertainty risks undermining international confidence in Somalia’s institutions at a time when external security assistance remains essential.