The Somali Political, Security and Economic Dilemma

Somalia is listed as one of the poorest and most volatile countries in the world. More than 25 years of civil war, famine and a lack of government has left the country in fiascos. Unless realistic measures to fix the situation and the underlying causes; the situation will get worse, and time is not our side.

In the past, the international community has assumed that instability in Somalia is caused by its weak government and that the solution is to strengthen the government so it can enforce law and order in the country. However, this is only part of the problem. The real cause of the chaos in Somalia is the fragile economy and lack of security within the country. Unless these problems are solved, nothing will change in Somalia and things will continue to get worse for the country and the people of Somalia.

Somalia locates in the Horn of Africa and is an East African country with a history dating back more than 2,000 years. The country is home to numerous ancient ruins, including the capital city of Mogadishu, which is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the region. Despite its rich history and culture, life in Somalia has been difficult ever since independence from British rule ended in 1960. Since then, the country has suffered from political instability and economic decline.

Despite its rich history, Somalia is one of the most violent and unstable countries in the world. Ongoing conflicts and violence between rival clans, and Islamic insurgents have resulted in widespread human suffering and enormous economic losses.

The prolonged drought, the worst in at least 40 years, has affected about 7.8 million people, nearly half of Somalia’s estimated population. More than 1.1 million people have been displaced since 2021. An estimated 6.7 million Somalis are expected to face crisis-level food insecurity or worse due to the drought between October and December 2022. About 1.8 million children under 5 years of age will likely face acute malnutrition through mid-2023, including over 513,000 children who are expected to be severely malnourished. Even if no famine emerges, given rising death rates in many areas, the large size of the affected population and the likely duration of the crisis, the cumulative levels of excess mortality could be as high as in 2011 when more than 250,000 people lost their lives.

Somalia has one of the highest numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the world, estimated at 2.9 million people in 2022. Conflict and insecurity continue to displace civilians and have compound vulnerabilities, with nearly 770,000 people estimated to be living in areas with extreme access constraints due to the presence of non-state armed actors as of October 2022. Another 2.1 million people live in areas that are hard-to-reach/have high access constraints.

The combined impact of recurring stress factors and shocks has deepened poverty in the country. At least 71 per cent of Somalis are living below the poverty line. Preventable diseases such as acute watery diarrhoea and measles are endemic and cases continue to rise compared to recent years, driven by severe water shortages and poor sanitation, especially in settlements where displaced people live, and limitations in the health-care system.[1]

Why is a Solution Required?

Governments around the world are concerned by the violence and instability caused by political conflict, clan warfare and terrorism, and it is generally agreed that these issues must be resolved for countries to achieve peace and prosperity. Somalia is in desperate need of a solution to help it overcome its many problems and achieve lasting peace and order. However, there is no easy solution to this problem because the root of the problem lies deep inside the fabric of Somali society and cannot be solved by simply strengthening the government. This is a long-term problem that requires long-term solutions if it is to be overcome.

Political conflict and violent extremism lead to insecurity in a country and are therefore major problems that need to be dealt with urgently. Failing to deal with these problems can lead to the collapse of the state and lead to anarchy and civil war, in which millions of people can be killed or injured, and many more forced from their homes and left homeless. Therefore, it is essential that political conflict and violence be addressed as soon as possible before the situation gets any worse.

[1] About OCHA Somalia | OCHA (unocha.org)

Comments

"The Ripple Effect: How USAID Funding Cuts Threaten Somalia’s Fragile Stability"

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...

The Somali Political Crisis Explained: Elections, Opposition, and Security Challenges

Somalia’s Current Political Standoff: A Nation at a Crossroads As Somalia’s current government approaches the final year of its term, the political landscape is becoming increasingly charged and complex. The return of opposition leaders to Mogadishu has injected new energy into the capital, signalling a resurgence of political activity and mobilisation that is impossible to ignore. This renewed opposition presence underscores the growing momentum of political gatherings and movements, reflecting a palpable shift in the country’s political dynamics. The Government’s Vision: One Person, One Vote In response to the evolving political climate, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, alongside Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the Speaker of the House of the People, and influential state leaders from Hirshabelle, Galmudug, and Southwest states, have announced the formation of a new political party. This coalition champions a transformative electoral vision grounded in the principle of “one man, one...

The US Dollar A Common Currency In Somalia

The US dollar is a common currency in Somalia The US dollar is commonly used as a currency in Somalia, especially in urban areas and in international transactions. This is due to the instability of the Somali shilling, which has experienced significant inflation and devaluation over the years. The use of the US dollar in Somalia dates back to the early 1990s, when the country descended into civil war and the central government collapsed. Without a functioning central bank to issue and regulate its currency, Somalia has relied on foreign currencies, such as the US dollar, for trade and commerce. Additionally, many Somalis living abroad send remittances to their families in Somalia in US dollars, further contributing to the widespread use of the currency in the country. How has the use of the US dollar affected the Somali economy? The use of the US dollar in Somalia has had both positive and negative effects on the economy. Positive effects : - Stabilization: The US dollar has pro...

"Proxy Power Plays: How Turkish and Emirati Private Military Deployments Signal a New Era of Militarized Influence in Somalia"

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...

🧭 The Walk of Shame for Going Back to the Tent

🧭 The Walk of Shame for Going Back to the Tent Somalia’s Elusive One Man, One Vote Dream 📅 Published: June 2025 ✍️ By The Somali Diary Introduction For a nation that has spent the better part of two decades trying to untangle itself from conflict, fragmentation, and fragile governance, the promise of “one man, one vote” in Somalia was always more than a procedural ambition. It was a symbolic return to full citizenship , a path toward dignity and democratic legitimacy. But as Somalia stumbles toward another election cycle, the reality has become stark: the country is once again walking back to the "tent" — the indirect, clan-based electoral model. This isn’t just a compromise. To many, it is a national embarrassment . A walk of shame . The Idealism of One Man, One Vote The administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud came into office with a bold commitment to implement direct elections. In April 2023 , the Federal Government and four Federal Member States...

TheSomaliDiary

Search This Blog