TheSomaliDiary

Introduction The article “The Somali Political Crisis Explained” presents a seemingly balanced overview of Somalia’s ongoing political transition, particularly the push for a one-person-one-vote electoral system. However, while the intention to democratize governance is laudable, the piece fails to interrogate the political opportunism, elite engineering, and securitization dynamics shaping the current electoral reform agenda. This response aims to critique the article’s framing and highlight the deeper structural issues that continue to undermine democratic development in Somalia. 1. Myth of Electoral Democratization The original article portrays the push for direct elections as a democratic leap forward. However, it ignores the fact that elections, without institutions capable of ensuring transparency, inclusiveness, and security, merely reproduce elite bargains under the guise of reform. Somalia’s political architecture is dominated by transactional politics, where electoral mechani...

Somalia stands at a critical juncture in its state-building journey as it grapples with the complex and contentious process of finalizing its constitution. Adopted provisionally in 2012 amid ongoing conflict and insecurity, the Somali constitution was meant to be completed by 2016 but remains unfinished, leaving the country’s federal system and political stability hanging in the balance.   The Promise of Constitutional Reform The current constitutional review process aims to address Somalia’s longstanding governance challenges by clarifying power-sharing arrangements between the Federal Government and Federal Member States (FMS), establishing a democratic electoral framework, and strengthening institutions. A landmark moment came in early 2024 when Somalia’s bicameral parliament approved amendments to the first four chapters of the provisional constitution, including provisions to shift from a clan-based indirect election system to universal suffrage and to empower the president wi...

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...

By: Ambassador Idd Bedel Mohamed It is inconceivable that President William Ruto of Kenya would allow opposition leader Rigathi Gachagua to organize armed militias, transport heavy weaponry to political meetings, or deploy such forces to guard his residence. Similarly, in Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni would never permit the return of opposition figures like Bobi Wine or Kizza Besigye under such circumstances—armed, defiant, and roaming freely in Kampala with militias in tow. In Ethiopia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed would not allow Jawar Mohammed to return from the United States, land in Addis Ababa accompanied by armed supporters, and parade through the capital unchallenged. The same goes for President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti—no such chaos would be allowed. In none of these African or Middle Eastern nations would such conduct by opposition groups be tolerated, as it directly violates the principles of national stability and governance. What President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and...

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...