Somalia, located i✨n the Horn of Africa, has become synonymous with political instability, chronic violence, and humanitarian criseౠs. The last two decades, in particular, have seen the country dealing with ongoing civil war, terrorism, and devastating cycles of famine.
Somalia’s modern conflicts started with the collapse of Siaꦇd Barre's regime in 1991. This marked the disintegration of the Somali state, which quickly devolved into clan-based rivalries and a civil war. The absence of a central government opened space for warlords to take over, warring between themselves to carve up ꧑the country.
In the 2000s, the rise of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), a coalition of Sharia courts, briefly brought order to sout𝔍hern Somalia. However, neighbouring country Ethiopia, backed by the US, then invaded Somalia in 2006 in order to oust the ICU. This invasion paved the way for al-Shabaab, an extremist group that went on to become one of the largest insurgencies in Africa.
Al-Shabaab And Extremism
Al-Shabaab is Arabic for "The Youth”. The group came to fore in 2006, purportedly a radical offshoot of the ICU. Capitalising on the people’s discontent with foreign intervent💖ions and corruption, Al-Shabaab gained control of large🍌 parts of southern and central Somalia. With over 99 per cent of the population being Muslim, Al-Shabaab exploited religious sentiments to further its agenda. It imposed a harsh interpretation of Islamic law and is known to conduct attacks on civilians, government officials, and international targets.
Al-Shabaab extends beyond Somalia’s borders. The group has carried out high-profile attacks in Kenya, such as the Westgate Mall attack in 2013 and the Garissa University massacre in 2015. These acts of terror have underscored the group’s regional threat and highlighted the porous borders and governance challenges of the Horn of Africa. While the African Un🐬ion Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces have pushed al-Shabaab out of major cities like Mogadishu and Kismayo, the group continues to grow.
In 2012, the establishment of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), following a series of transitional administrations, was considered globally as a ray of hope for the region. However, the FGS has faced significant challenges in uniting the fract🌜ured land.
Somaliland, in the northwest, declared independence in 1991 and has functioned as a de facto&nbs🔯p;state with its own military. It has not yet been recognised internationally. Puntland, another autonomous region, cooperates withꦚ the federal government but maintains its own military and governance structures.
International Interventions And The Fight Against Piracy
In the early 2000s, news of Somali pirates hijacking commercia💫l vessels in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, threatening global shipping lanes, was everywhere. International naval coalitions, alongside local measures, have since reduced piracy, but the underlying economic reasons that drove the activities remain unaddressed.
AMISOM, an African Union-led regional peacekeeping force, p💎layed a vital role in combating al-Shabaab and supporting the Somali government. Backed by the United Nat𓆏ions and donor nations, AMISOM helped secure key territories, but this took a toll in the form of civilian casualties.
The United States and other Wester♑✨n nations have also conducted airstrikes and special operations against al-Shabaab leaders.
Some Hope?
In 2021-2022, Somalia conducted a protracted but ultimately successful parliamentary and presidential election process, electing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The peaceful transfer of power was a testament 🌊to the resilience of Somali political institutions, even amid security challenges.
In re🌜cent years, Mogadishu, once a war zone, has seen businesses reopen and🥀 the Somali diaspora investing in reconstruction.
