Northeastern State’s Approach to Young Militants: A Delicate Balance of Security and Rehabilitation
Garowe (AX) — In the complex landscape of Northeastern State’s response to youth militants affiliated with Al-Shabaab and ISIS, the government has made a firm decision: rehabilitation centers are not an option. The rationale? The perceived danger these young fighters pose outweighs any potential benefits of reintegration.
During a recent session of the Northeastern State Parliament, Justice Minister Mohamed Abdiwahaab Ahmed articulated the government’s stance. “These are not simply misguided youths,” he emphasized, shedding light on the serious nature of their involvement. “They are militarily trained operatives. Some have killed more than 20 people or possess the skills to manufacture explosives. A single one of these individuals could overpower multiple armed guards, so we cannot trust them in typical home environments or open facilities.”
This statement follows a parliamentary tour of various prisons around Northeastern State, where lawmakers encountered numerous former fighters from militant organizations. This visit raised alarms among some Members of Parliament, particularly regarding the sheer number of detainees, many of whom are under the age of 25, that were being held without access to specific rehabilitation programs tailored to their needs.
Yet the Northeastern State administration cites historical precedents as justification for their rigorous policy. Take, for example, the unsettling situation in February 2018 when ten former Al-Shabaab fighters managed to escape from a rehabilitation center in Garowe, a facility which was ostensibly designed for their reintegration. Lax supervision allowed these detainees, many captured during the battle of Suuj and Garmaal in 2016, to access keys and flee. This incident provoked widespread criticism from civil society and raised significant concerns about the efficacy of non-secure reintegration strategies for defectors.
Furthermore, the security breaches at Galkayo Central Prison—a detention facility known for its fortified structure—have only served to amplify these concerns. Despite its high-risk designation, the facility has faced repeated assaults. Most notably, in May 2025, armed militia fighters launched a well-coordinated attack in an apparent effort to liberate convicted Al-Shabaab operatives. This marked the third such breach in a span of three years, following a deadly raid earlier in 2025 and an August 2024 escape involving four death-sentenced militants who vanished under unclear circumstances.
“If even our most secure detention centers are vulnerable, what hope is there for rehabilitating these individuals in open facilities?” Government officials argue, supporting their decision to avoid rehabilitation programs entirely.
However, this security-focused approach stands in stark contrast to the views of international partners and UN agencies. For years, organizations like UNICEF and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have advocated for the rehabilitation and reintegration of defecting fighters, particularly minors. They have decried Northeastern State’s practice of trying minors in military courts and detaining them without legal counsel or adequate psychosocial support—critical elements for any meaningful rehabilitation.
In fact, back in 2017, a UN human rights expert commended Northeastern State for its initial reforms in juvenile justice and urged the region to expand its child-sensitive rehabilitation programming. Regrettably, the momentum gained during that period has dwindled. The pervasive atmosphere of insecurity has hardened public and institutional attitudes toward those accused of terrorism, impeding progress in rehabilitation efforts.
“Our challenge is in finding the right balance,” admitted a Northeastern State official. The pursuit of safety, coupled with the need for justice and reintegration, presents a delicate dance, especially considering ongoing military operations against Al-Shabaab and ISIS cells within the Bari mountains and other regions of northeastern Somalia.
Justice Minister Ahmed encapsulated the dilemma succinctly: “These youths are not just misguided; they are militant professionals. You can’t simply house them in a regular setting or an open rehabilitation facility.” This sentiment raises important questions about the future of young militants in Northeastern State. How do we address the underlying issues that lead to radicalization? What support systems can be developed to help reintegrate these individuals into society safely and effectively?
As Northeastern State navigates this complex issue, the world is watching. The balance between security and rehabilitation remains crucial, not just for the region but also as a broader reflection of our collective understanding of justice, redemption, and the potential for change.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
