Dialogue | Africa
Somalia: Solving the Puzzle of a Failed State By Bakht Jamshaid Baryar
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omalia – a country devastated by decades of civil war, famine, drought and state failure – has a new challenge in the shape of al-Shabab. Over the recent years, piracy was one of the biggest threats arising from Somalia. Its coastline around ports such as Kismayo , Merka and Eyl were infested with pirates, who struck shipping of all sorts and reaped massive profits from the ransoms. Piracy financed militias across the country and became so profitable that even terrorist outfits such as al-Shabab wanted a share of the market. Somali piracy is now at its lowest levels since 2006 due to international maritime patrolling and strict security on-board ships. The latest threat now is Somalia’s feared al-Shabab militant group which is fast becoming a regional player with attacks being mounted in neighbouring Kenya and Uganda.
“The situation in Somalia is fragile and precarious as al-Shabab have a Sharia enforcing agenda and any links to Islamic State can help their cause.”
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Al-Shabab as a militant outfit has seen drastic cuts in its funding since the decline in piracy but it still retains its edge in guerrilla warfare and supply of fighters with years of experience. The recent U.S strikes in Somalia confirm the fact that al-Shabab is a major international threat and a serious challenge for East African nations especially Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia. International media and community are occupied with the Taliban in Afghanistan and Islamic State more recently in the Middle East. As this happens, al-Shabab grows its numbers and strength becoming a threat to world peace. The situation in Somalia is fragile and precarious as al-Shabab have a Sharia enforcing agenda and any links to Islamic State can help their cause. An al-Shabab aligned with the Islamic State will be much better financed and equipped posing an existential threat to the already failing Somali government in Mogadishu and the African Union forces. It is important to consider why Somalia is a haven for militancy and Islamic extremism. Religious sentiments are very strong among the population and Islam is the principal religion in the country. Historically, Somalia had