U.S. halts support for Somalia’s elite Danab commandos, raising alarm as AU forces prepare to leave
MOGADISHU, Somalia — The United States has suspended its support for Somalia’s elite Danab special forces, reliable sources told Axadle on Monday, a move that could reshape the fragile security balance as African Union troops prepare to withdraw next year.
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The decision, described to journalists by sources who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the subject, follows growing U.S. concerns about “accountability and coordination” within Somalia’s security sector. It comes on the heels of an earlier pause in U.S. funding for the African Union Mission in Somalia — the force long known as AMISOM and now operating as ATMIS — which is scheduled to complete a transition by the end of 2024.
What officials are saying — and not saying
There has been no formal statement from Washington or Mogadishu confirming the suspension. U.S. officials have in recent months signalled frustration with Washington’s partners over issues ranging from human-rights compliance to how Somali forces coordinate operations and manage U.S. equipment.
“This is not a decision taken lightly,” said a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We invested heavily in building Danab as a professional counterterrorism capability. When the conditions for oversight and coordination aren’t met, we have to reassess how we engage.”
Somali officials, likewise, have been reticent. A senior Somali military officer, also speaking off the record, said troops were “surprised and concerned” but hoped diplomatic channels would resolve the matter quickly.
Why Danab matters
Formed and trained with substantial Western assistance, Danab — Somali for “lightning” — has been among the most capable units in the fight against Al-Shabaab, the Islamist militant group that controls parts of central and southern Somalia and continues to carry out deadly attacks in Mogadishu.
Danab teams have led offensives to retake towns, carried out targeted raids, and trained alongside international partners. For years, the unit was the centerpiece of Western hopes that Somali forces could eventually take over security responsibilities from foreign troops.
Now, the suspension of U.S. assistance threatens to hobble a force that many Somalis and international partners see as the best hope for holding gains against Al-Shabaab as ATMIS troops withdraw.
Local reaction — anxiety and questions
In Mogadishu, where people keep a cautious optimism about the gradual pushback against Al-Shabaab, news of the suspension has rippled through neighborhoods and military circles. “You hear stories about airstrikes, commanders changed, then support disappears — it feels like we are always waiting for the next shift,” said a shopkeeper in Hodan district, who gave only his first name, Ali. “People are worried that militants will take advantage.”
For families in central regions recently liberated from Al-Shabaab, the prospect of reduced capacity among elite units brings back memories of insecurity. “When Danab was here, things were better. We could go to market,” said a woman in Beledweyne, who asked that her name not be used. “If support ends, who will protect us?”
Broader implications and regional context
The timing complicates a broader international effort to transfer security responsibilities to Somali institutions by the end of 2024. ATMIS, which has for years included thousands of troops from across Africa, is drawing down under a UN-backed roadmap for transition to Somali forces. U.S. support for units like Danab has been central to that plan.
Analysts say the suspension could reflect a larger trend of donor retrenchment and recalibration. After decades of engagement in the Horn of Africa, partners are demanding clearer lines of accountability and sustainable command structures before committing further resources.
“This is not simply about one unit,” said a security analyst in Nairobi. “It’s about how international partners can be confident their equipment, training and forces are used in a way that furthers stability rather than exacerbating local tensions.”
The move also underscores the delicate balance between counterterrorism priorities and concerns about human rights and political governance. Western governments have increasingly tied military assistance to stronger oversight mechanisms, but in fragile states those checks can be hard to implement.
What could happen next?
Possible outcomes range from a rapid diplomatic fix — in which Washington and Mogadishu agree to improved oversight and training protocols — to a protracted pause that would leave Danab without the airlift, spare parts, intelligence sharing and logistical support that Western backers have provided.
Some in Mogadishu hope the suspension will be temporary. “We need partners; we understand their concerns,” the anonymous Somali officer said. “But we also need clarity on timelines and support so we can plan operations.”
Others warn that any long-term cutoff would likely push Somali authorities to seek support elsewhere, potentially from regional powers or private military contractors — a shift that could alter the character of the fight against Al-Shabaab and complicate Western influence.
Questions for the international community
- Can Washington and its partners establish the oversight mechanisms needed without undermining Somali sovereignty?
- Will the suspension accelerate ATMIS’s withdrawal or force a rethink of timelines?
- How will communities caught between Somali forces and Al-Shabaab fare if elite units lose critical support?
As the clock ticks toward the end of 2024, the stakes are high. The fate of Danab will be watched closely not only in Mogadishu, but by capitals across Africa, Europe and Washington — all of which hope to see a stable, Somali-led transition away from foreign boots on the ground. For now, uncertainty reigns, and the question remains: can a fragile state build lasting security without the very tools its partners helped to create?
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
