RELEASE:  Priority One: How to fix the broken federal system

The future cannot be built on temporary political handshakes. It requires a fundamental shift from personalized politics to permanent, rules-based institutions. We are pleased to release our comprehensive policy recommendations for Priority 1: Fixing the Federal System, a strategy designed to break the "crisis loop" through a clear, phased approach to a functional federation.

Phase I: Leadership Reconciliation & Consensus

The Political Entry Point Before laws can be enacted, the political deadlock must be broken. This begins by facilitating a high-level dialogue between the Federal Government (FGS) and Federal Member States (FMS) to reach a binding, written consensus on the federal structure. This phase is about establishing a shared commitment to the "Rules of the Game," providing the political legitimacy required to move into the legislative process.

Phase II: The Legislative Foundation

Codifying the Rules Once political consensus is secured, Parliament must act to turn those agreements into law. We propose two cornerstone pieces of legislation to replace ad hoc arrangements with enforceable rules. First, the Federal Mandate Act will define the legal boundaries of cooperation, imposing a "Non-Interference Obligation" to ensure that the FGS and FMS interact without overstepping their constitutional authorities. Second, the Federal Security Act will operationalize the National Security Architecture, establishing a clear division of labor, command authority, and financial accountability across the SNA and Police services. This ensures that security becomes a shared responsibility rather than a political tool.

Phase III: Neutral Authority for Dispute Resolution

The Rule of Law To ensure long-term stability and prevent future crises, the federation needs a neutral "referee." We call for the immediate reconstitution of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to establish the Constitutional Court. This body will serve as the final, authoritative arbiter for all FGS–FMS disputes, ending the era of "forum-shopping" and legal ambiguity under Article 109. Parallel to this, we must establish the Inter-State Commission (ISC) as a permanent statutory body to mediate administrative disputes before they escalate into national crises. Finally, the National Consultative Council (NCC) must be codified by law as a political coordination forum only, ensuring it supports, rather than replaces, our constitutional and judicial institutions.

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Agenda 2028 Series Editor: Mohamed Ahmed Policy and Research Director