The Mogadishu-based The Heritage Institute for Policy Studies published in January 2014 a brief analysis titled "Decentralization Options for Somalia" by Afyare Abdi Elmi, assistant professor of international politics at Qatar University.
The author looks at confederalism, federalism, consociationalism, and devolution. He concludes that Somali consensus on the most appropriate type of decentralization is lacking and the ultimate solution will be unique to Somalia.