During the tenure of President Mohammed Farmajo, Somalia has developed a comprehensive transition plan for its security, undertaken reforms of the Somali National Army, and strengthened ties with regional and international security partners. This has been accompanied by a decline in Al Shabaab violence against citizens and the reopening of the Mogadishu Stadium to sporting events. Nonetheless, Al Shabaab remains resilient, regularly mounting attacks on security forces and populated areas alike while maintaining control over large expanses of rural Somalia.
In this Africa Center for Strategic Studies roundtable, Somalia’s National Security Advisor, Abdisaid Ali, shares his perspective on the current security environment in Somalia, efforts to curb corruption and promote reconciliation, and means of strengthening institutions to enable the Somali state to meet its security requirements. He is joined by Andre LeSage from Sage Research and Shannon Smith, Director of Engagement at the Africa Center, who identify operational and structural priorities needed to sustain progress.
Africa Center Experts
- Shannon Smith, Director of Engagement
- Joseph Siegle, Director of Research
Additional Resources
- Africa Center for Strategic Studies, “Q&A: Somalia Charts a Security Transition,” Spotlight, July 17, 2018.
- Africa Center for Strategic Studies, “AMISOM’s Hard-Earned Lessons in Somalia,” Spotlight, May 30, 2018.
- Abdisaid M. Ali, “Islamist Extremism in East Africa,” Africa Center for Security Studies, Africa Security Brief No. 32, August 9, 2016.
- Emile Ouédraogo, “Advancing Military Professionalism in Africa,” Africa Center for Security Studies, Research Paper No. 6, July 31, 2014.
More on: Regional and International Security Cooperation Stabilization of Fragile States Al Shabaab AMISOM Extremism Governance Horn of Africa Somalia