TheSomaliDiary

Somalia long a battleground for internal stability, is increasingly becoming a geopolitical chessboard for external powers. The recent arrival of Turkish-deployed private military personnel  in the south and UAE affliated security contractors in the northeast—marks a dangerous escalation in the militarization of Somali soil. These developments signal not just a new chapter in Somalia’s complex security story, but a stark warning: global and regional powers are using Somalia as a base for proxy operations in broader regional conflicts. Turkey’s Strategic Deployment in the South Under the guise of bilateral defense cooperation, Turkey has deployed trained mercenaries, many with combat experience in Syria and Libya, to Somalia. While officially tasked with supporting counterterrorism operations against Al-Shabaab, their presence suggests a deeper mission: protecting Turkish economic and political interests, projecting military power along the Gulf of Aden, and countering adversaries...

  As Sudan faces what humanitarian agencies are now calling the worst food security crisis in its history , the tragedy unfolding there is not merely a local or regional catastrophe, it is a stark indictment of a global system that continues to fail the most vulnerable. More than 30 million people across the country are in desperate need of food assistance, with conflict-ridden regions like Darfur, Khartoum, and Kordofan teetering on the brink of famine. The crisis serves as a chilling echo of past famines in the Horn of Africa and raises serious questions about the feasibility of achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly the goal of Zero Hunger. The Conflict-Food Insecurity Nexus The current food crisis in Sudan cannot be understood in isolation from the political and military turmoil that has gripped the country since April 2023. A brutal power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has devastated livelihoods, disrupted...

Starlink’s Expansion into Somalia: A Double-Edged Sword for the Economy The arrival of Starlink , SpaceX’s satellite internet service, in Somalia has sparked intense interest across business, tech, and development circles. Known for its ability to provide high-speed, low-latency internet anywhere on the planet, Starlink’s potential impact on Somalia is both transformative and disruptive . Economic Benefits for the Somali People For ordinary Somalis, especially those living in rural or conflict-affected areas with limited digital access, Starlink opens new doors: Increased Connectivity: Reliable internet in underserved regions can empower online education, remote work, digital banking, and telemedicine. Entrepreneurship and Digital Economy Growth: With high-speed internet, Somali youth can tap into global freelancing platforms and build local e-commerce ventures. Support for Humanitarian and Development Actors: NGOs and international agencies operating in remote regio...

In post-conflict societies, civil society plays a pivotal role in shaping governance, promoting accountability, and ensuring that political processes are inclusive. A robust and independent civil society acts as a bridge between the state and its citizens, advocating for marginalized voices and fostering democratic consolidation. However, in Somalia, the landscape of civil society remains fragile, underdeveloped, and, in many cases, co-opted by political and donor interests. This absence of genuine civil society actors presents a significant challenge to the realization of inclusive political participation, particularly for women, youth, and marginalized groups. Structural Constraints on Civil Society in Somalia Somalia’s governance structures continue to be shaped by deeply entrenched clan dynamics, elite bargaining, and external interventions. While these factors have contributed to short-term stability, they have simultaneously constrained the emergence of an independent and repre...

Somalia’s Political, Security, and Economic Landscape  Somalia stands at a critical juncture, grappling with a complex mix of political instability, security threats, and economic fragility. The country, which has long suffered from civil conflict and weak governance structures, has made significant yet fragile progress in state-building. The federal government continues to struggle with power disputes among federal member states, clan-based rivalries, and delayed elections that hinder political stability.  On the security front, armed oppoaition groups remains a potent force, orchestrating frequent attacks on both civilian and military targets. Despite ongoing counterterrorism efforts by the Somali National Army (SNA) and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), the militant group maintains control over strategic areas, disrupting governance and humanitarian operations.  Economically, Somalia faces a daunting reality. With a heavy reliance on external a...

Ethiopia Joins AUSSOM Mission: A New Chapter in Somalia’s Security Landscape The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) has witnessed a significant development with the inclusion of Ethiopian troops among its contributing forces. This decision, the outcome of high-level discussions between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Ethiopia, marks a critical step in the evolving dynamics of Somalia’s security framework. Background of Ethiopia’s Engagement Ethiopia has historically played an active role in Somalia’s stability, both bilaterally and through multilateral mechanisms. The Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) have been involved in countering the Al-Shabaab insurgency for years, often operating outside the formal African Union mandate. However, their recent inclusion within the AUSSOM framework signals a more coordinated approach to peacekeeping in Somalia. The agreement followed strategic negotiations between Somalia's leadership and Ethiopia, emphasizi...

  A New Chapter for Somalia: Examining the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission Somalia's journey towards stability has been a long and arduous one, marked by conflict and instability. The end of ATMIS's mandate has ushered in a new era for Somalia, with the establishment of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM). This new mission aims to further support Somalia in its pursuit of peace and security, but it also faces significant challenges that could determine its success. Funding the Future of Somali Security AUSSOM's success hinges on securing adequate funding. Peacekeeping operations are notoriously expensive, and securing consistent and adequate funding is crucial for the mission to effectively carry out its mandate. Historically, the AU has encountered challenges in financing its missions, often relying heavily on external partners. This dependence can create vulnerabilities and limit the AU's autonomy in decision-making. ...

In December 2024, Ethiopia and Somalia reached a significant agreement in Ankara, Turkey, aimed at resolving tensions stemming from Ethiopia's maritime access ambitions and its dealings with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region of Somalia.  Background of the Dispute The discord originated in January 2024 when Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland. This MoU granted Ethiopia access to the port of Berbera in exchange for Ethiopia's future recognition of Somaliland's independence.  Somalia's federal government, which views Somaliland as part of its sovereign territory, perceived this agreement as a violation of its sovereignty, leading to heightened tensions between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu. Preliminary Agreed Discussion Points Under Turkish mediation, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud agreed to: Respect Sovereignty: Both nations committed to acknowledging and respecting each other's s...

Ethiopia and Somaliland sign deal to boost sea access and regional integration Ethiopia, a landlocked country with more than 100 million people, has taken a major step towards gaining access to the sea by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, a self-declared republic that seceded from Somalia more than 30 years ago. The MoU, signed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi in Addis Ababa on 1 January 2024, grants Ethiopia naval and commercial access to ports along Somaliland’s coast, especially the strategic port of Berbera on the Gulf of Aden. In exchange, Ethiopia will recognize Somaliland’s independence, a significant move given Somaliland’s three-decade quest for international recognition. The deal, which was described as “historic” by both leaders, is expected to boost trade, security, and regional integration in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia, which lost its access to the sea when Eritrea seceded in the early 1990s, has be...