1On Sunday, a spokesperson for the Somali government was wounded by a suicide bomber explosion on a road junction in the capital of Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab, an al Qaeda-linked Islamist militant group, has since claimed responsibility for the attempt on Mohamed Ibrihim Moalimuu’s life. After being rushed to the hospital, Moalimuu regained a stable condition. According to state reporters, the bomber targeted Moalimuu by waiting until he was passing in his vehicle. The bomber’s remains were found scattered around the blown-up vehicle – the single fatality resulting from the incident.
The bombing was yet another threat to a Somali official’s life. Al-Shabaab has routinely carried out attacks on government figures, security officials, and Somali civilians for many years now. Since 2007, the terrorist group has steadily risen in prominence and posed a terrorist threat that the Somali government and the United Nations have worked to tackle. In the same year, the U.N. deployed a regional peacekeeping force known as the African Union Mission in Somalia (ANISOM) to aid Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in the battle against al-Shabaab. The following year, the U.S. officially recognized al-Shabaab as a terrorist organization. This later lead to the first deployment of American troops into Somalia in 2013 to assist ANISOM forces. In 2017, the Trump administration escalated airstrikes, killing over one hundred al-Shabaab affiliated militants. The same year, the decision was made to begin downsizing ANISOM as an act of transitioning security operations to the strengthening Somali government.
According to the Council on Foreign Relations, attacks associated with al-Shabaab have seen a resurgence in recent years. At the end of 2019, and into the beginning of 2020, al-Shabaab conducted regular bombing attacks that killed over 80 civilians and 3 U.S. military personnel. Despite Somalia developing a stronger central government, the attacks by the terrorist group have persisted. What are the reasons behind this? A possible explanation for the continued attacks may have to do with the presence of western forces sent by the U.N. and the U.S. The large-scale drone strikes authorized by the U.S. in recent years, combined with a general disdain for Christianity and western culture, may be an indicator as to why al-Shabaab is once again conducting attacks.
Another possible explanation could be found by examining the TFG. In 1991, the fall of dictator Said Barre triggered a long period characterized by civil war and a weak central government. During the ’90s, power was juggled between warlords, clans, and nationalist-Islamist groups. This made the peace-building process in Somalia incredibly difficult. In the early 2000s however, a constitution was created that provided a threshold for clan representation in the central government. This greatly aided Somalia’s peace efforts. Yet, for many years, the government struggled as the TFG became plagued with corruption. This internal conflict made it very difficult for the federal government to unify against al-Shabaab. In 2012, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) was created to provide an inclusive political space that considers clan politics and works against the threats of terrorism. Since its inception, the FGS has been criticized for its inability to put clan interests aside and prioritize a united Somalia. As an example, the strengthening of the security sector has slowed down as political leaders have refused adherence to reforms that include the integration of clan militias into the country’s armed forces. This political background illustrates al-Shabaab’s ability to continue with its terrorist actions without strong pushback from the central government.
Without a strong and united response from Somalia’s government, al-Shabaab will continue to terrorize the entire country and put hundreds of innocent civilian lives at risk. Not only are civilians at risk from bombing attacks, but they have continued to be put at risk of starvation due to al-Shabaab’s control over key regions. With the withdrawal of ANISOM troops, the FGS needs to be prepared to lead peace-keeping efforts in their country. This can only be achieved if political leaders decide to consider the lives of all Somali citizens and not just the lives of the most prominent clans. It is also important for political leaders to consider how they would react if a clan that they represent is attacked. In such circumstances, would they then support a unionized, federal effort?
In the past, Somali leaders have shown that they can come together to create a more centralized government and strive for peace. It is important for leaders to leaders make an effort once more to support their entire country. The next step for the FGS seems to be finding a better balance between clan and federal politics by outlining clear allocations of what clans can and cannot have as well as what the federal government can and cannot do. This would allow leaders to work less strenuously and put more emphasis on the terrorism crisis at hand. Finally, as the FGS is a young government body, it is to be expected that there will be issues that arise as it begins to cement itself. Nevertheless, it may be in Somalia’s best interest for the U.S. to lessen its presence in the country. If political reforms can be made and terrorist threats can be countered without the presence of the U.S. military, morale may be able to build in a way it has not before. This may send a surge of confidence to a country that desperately needs it.
- Danish Intelligence Chief in Custody Over Suspected Information Leaks - January 18, 2022
- Person Who Crossed Into N. Korea Likely Previous Defector, South Says - January 7, 2022
- U.N. Official Condemns Reported Killings Of Civilians In Myanmar - December 29, 2021