The delicate but peaceful transition of power following the delayed but successful conclusion of legislative and presidential elections in Somalia earlier this year has raised hopes that the conflict-ravaged Horn of Africa country is finally heading for some political stability. but friday Siege of an expensive hotel in the capital Mogadishu – At least 20 killed – a grim reminder of the security challenges facing the country, despite promises made by the new administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamed to defeat violent extremists ideologically, economically and militarily. As claimed by al-Shabaab, armed militants stormed the hotel and took several civilians hostage before security personnel ended the siege. The al-Qaeda-linked terror group, which controls southern and central parts of Somalia, has repeatedly targeted civilians and security personnel in government-controlled areas. In recent years, despite international counter-terrorist measures, al-Shabaab has grown in strength, capitalizing on the humanitarian crisis in Somalia and the security crisis in neighboring countries. According to a 2020 report, it collects more revenue than the government, has built one of the strongest terrorist machinery in the continent, and is now trying to expand its influence in the Horn of Africa .
Somalia has long been called a failed or fragile state. It has also seen one of the biggest failures of international counter-terrorism operations. Civil conflicts in Somalia can be traced back to the dictatorship of General Siad Barre. After the fall of Barre’s regime in 1991, the country fell into chaos and civil war, with various clan-based armed groups fighting each other. Since then, Somalia has seen several attempts to establish a stable state and regional and international interventions to establish security, but none have proved successful. Al-Shabaab emerged from this chaos and became what it is today. Part of the problem is that writs of the government do not operate in areas outside the capital. The country is also facing a massive humanitarian crisis amid severe drought. Since state institutions remain fragile and are at the mercy of international donors, it is easy for extremists to maintain their territorial fiefdoms. There is no magic bullet for Somalia’s woes. But first, the federal government in Mogadishu and its regional and international backers must have a comprehensive security and crisis-response approach. The focus of the government should be on providing essential services, goods and relief to the people, as well as establishing an effective and economical security architecture through broad political consensus. Both state-building and counter-terrorism operations should go hand in hand and the international community should generously support Somalia’s fight for survival.