Critical Reflections on Somalia’s Current Challenges
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
Life often asks us tough questions, doesn’t it? Recently, in the realm of Somali politics, a significant debate has erupted centering on the leadership—or perceived lack thereof—of the Hirshabelle state. A senior adviser to Somalia’s president, Mohamed Hassan Ibrahim Qoone, has fired pointed accusations at key officials in Hirshabelle. His critique cuts deep: they allegedly failed to step up decisively in the ongoing campaign against the insurgent group Al-Shabaab.
In discussing the Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka once said, “A tiger doesn’t proclaim his tiger-tude. He pounces.” Similarly, leadership requires direct action, fearlessness, and presence—qualities Qoone finds lacking. “Hirshabelle’s leaders, who should be leading the war against terrorism, are instead missing—one is in Jowhar, and the other in Beledweyne,” he lamented. “Their absence is unacceptable,” Qoone observed, urging the people of Hirshabelle to rally and support the offensive efforts in Middle Shabelle and Hiiraan to eradicate Al-Shabaab.
Somalia is once again in the throes of a major security crisis. Al-Shabaab has organized a series of synchronized assaults across Middle Shabelle and Hiiraan. As far back as February 20th, the militant group stormed several towns, claiming strategic locations like Bal’ad, a stone’s throw—merely 30 kilometers—from Mogadishu, only for federal forces to reclaim them after fierce battles. It seems the specter of Al-Shabaab continues to loom large over Somalia.
The government’s resources are under immense strain. Al-Shabaab’s targets aren’t random; they’ve set their sights on military bases and federal troops while also challenging the Ma’awisley clan militias, attempting to claw back lost control. Though the government and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) have retaliated with effective counterstrikes, Al-Shabaab’s resilience remains notable. The group even posted images of its fighters within government-controlled areas, displaying a defiance that’s hard to ignore. What does this resilience say about our counterinsurgency efforts?
It’s clear: vulnerabilities exist within Somalia’s renewed campaigns against insurgency. Although significant territories were reclaimed from Al-Shabaab between 2022 and 2023, the momentum has waned. This stalemate allows the militants to regroup, posing a recurring threat. Among those combating them, the Ma’awisley militias have been essential yet beleaguered by internal clan disputes; these distractions have unfortunately pulled focus away from the concerted fight against Al-Shabaab.
On another front, Qoone has expressed his dissatisfaction with the federal government’s seeming negligence towards Gedo’s intensifying crisis. “It is deeply disappointing that the government has ignored the challenges in Gedo,” Qoone emphasized. “A committee must be established to assess the situation and ensure the people receive basic public services.” Could it be an echo of broader national governance issues?
Qoone brought forth rhetorical questions, echoing sentiments St. Augustine once pondered: “If you would attain to what you are not yet, you must always be displeased by what you are. For where you are pleased with yourself there you have remained. Keep adding, keep walking, keep advancing.” He drew parallels to past Somali administrations reaching back to 1956, claiming they showcased greater dedication and public interest than the current regime. “The current government does not serve the Somali people—it only prioritizes its own interests,” he concluded, leaving us to reflect deeply on those words.
One mustn’t forget the human stories that underpin these grand narratives. Consider a recent, tragic incident—a Somali mother passed away in Baardheere due to the lack of medical care. Authorities failed to secure an emergency flight to Mogadishu. Contrarily, the Somali Civil Aviation Authority insisted that no flight restrictions were in place for the Gedo region. A simple miscommunication or a telling sign of systemic failures?
These themes of despair, agency, and neglected responsibilities permeate Somali governance today. As we parse through the complexities, it begs us to question the nature of leadership and reflect, not just on the answers we receive, but the questions we continue to ask.
