The recent siege of an upscale hotel in the capital Mogadishu killing at least 20 people is a grave reminder of the security challenges the country is facing.
What is the current siege about?
The Hayat, a popular spot in Mogadishu where several other hotels are located and frequented by government officials and civilians has come under the attack.
The assault in the Somali capital came after two car bomb blasts and gunfire.
The Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabab armed group claimed responsibility for the attack.
Who are Somalia's al-Shabab?
Al-Shabab means “The Youth” in Arabic.
It emerged as the radical youth wing of Somalia's now-defunct Union of Islamic Courts, which controlled Mogadishu in 2006, before being forced out by Ethiopian forces.
Al-Shabab advocates the Saudi-inspired Wahhabi version of Islam, while most Somalis are Sufis.
It has imposed a strict version of Sharia in areas under its control, including stoning to death women accused of adultery and amputating the hands of thieves.
It is banned as a terrorist group by both the US and the UK.
There have been numerous reports that al-Shabab may have formed some links with other militant groups, such as Boko Haram in Nigeria and al-Qaeda.
According to a 2020 report, it collects more revenue than the government and is now seeking to expand its influence across the Horn of Africa.
What is happening in Somalia?
Fragile state- Somalia has long been called a failed or fragile state that has seen one of the biggest failures of international counter-terror operations.
Political instability- Somalia has not had an effective national government for more than 20 years, during which much of the country has been a war-zone.
Al-Shabab gained support by promising people security, but its credibility was knocked when it rejected Western food aid to combat a 2011 drought and famine.
Mogadishu and other towns are now under government control.
In 2022, there was a peaceful transition of power in Somalia after the successful completion of the legislative and presidential elections.
Security crisis- In recent years, despite international counter-terror measures, al-Shabab has grown in strength, cashing in on the humanitarian crisis in Somalia and the security crises in neighbouring countries.
Humanitarian crisis- The country is also witnessing a massive humanitarian crisis amid a severe drought.
What is the way ahead?
The federal government in Mogadishu and its regional and international backers should have a comprehensive security and crisis-response approach.
The government’s focus should be on providing essential services, goods and relief to the people while at the same time establishing an effective security architecture through a broad-based political consensus.
Both state-building and counter-terror operations should be carried out side-by-side and the international community should generously back Somalia in its fight for survival.
