UPDATE: On 21 August 2013, Soma’s website stated that it had hired Philip Wolfe as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) “with effect from16 [sic] September 2013” and lists a part of his bio in the press release: Philip has over… Read More ›
Int’l Community in Somalia
Lifting The Arms Embargo in Somalia: A Brief Outlook
Lifting the arms embargo is seen by some observers as a means to address the force capacity of Somali security forces and to reassert Somalia’s sovereignty. However, the internal and strategic factors limiting the effectiveness of Somali security forces and… Read More ›
How Al-Shabaab Exploited France’s Failed Rescue Op
On 12 January 2013, French special forces attempted to rescue kidnapped French spy “Denis Allex” in the middle of the night from a hideout in the al-Shabaab-controlled town of Buulo Mareer (about 30 km south of Marka.) However, the operation… Read More ›
Mohamud’s U.S. Visit Foreshadows Federalism Debate
One issue that stuck out during President Mohamud’s largely successful first visit to the United States was the future of federalism in Somalia. After a warm reception in the Washington, D.C. area, Mohamud encountered significant protests in his subsequent visit to… Read More ›
Details and Analysis of France’s Failed Rescue in Somalia
In the early hours of 12 January 2013, French special forces failed in an operation to rescue French intelligence agent Denis Allex from al-Shabaab in the town of Buulo Mareer. Buulo Mareer is firmly controlled by al-Shabaab–although Somalia National Army… Read More ›
Jubaland Close to Becoming Somalia’s Next State
Brief Background on Jubaland Jubaland historically comprised of Lower and Middle Juba states. But military dictatator and ex-President Siad Barre split up the region in 1975, adding Gedo (created as an enclave for Barre’s Darod-Marehan clan members), Bay, and Bakool… Read More ›
2013 in Somalia: A Look at Security
This is the first in a multi-part series about Somalia in 2013. In 2012, the Somali National Army and its partners in AMISOM and Ethiopia retook major al-Shabaab strongholds–including the lucrative port of Kismayo–and essentially confined al-Shabaab to the southern… Read More ›
AMISOM Still Working to Counter al-Shabaab Threat in Kismayo
AMISOM, the Somali National Army (SNA), and Ras Kamboni formally ousted al-Shabaab from its lucrative hub in Kismayo in early October 2012, but al-Shabaab has maintained a heavy informal influence in the port city. The group has carried out improvised… Read More ›
Uganda Withdrawal Threat A Reality Check for Somali Security
Uganda’s Security Minister Muruli Mukasa has stated that the country intends to withdraw its troops from Somalia and other conflict hotspots in response to the UN’s allegation that Uganda is supporting M23 rebels in DRC. Ugandan forces in Somalia—estimated to be at… Read More ›
In Somalia, Kenya Must Avoid Political Landmines
Three days after al-Shabaab’s most significant “tactical withdrawal” to date, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), its counterparts in AMISOM, Ras Kamboni, and the Somali National Army (SNA) finally entered the port city in the first week of October to fill… Read More ›
Al-Shabaab, Jubbaland, and the Future of Kismayo
A flurry of reports are filling news outlets on the ongoing advance of Somali government troops and international forces toward the port of Kismayo, as they move to oust the Islamic militant group al-Shabaab from its most lucrative source of… Read More ›
Somalia’s New President A Symbol of Hope Amid Challenges
Against all likely odds, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud emerged as victorious in Somalia’s presidential selection on 10 September 2012, held in Mogadishu’s Aden Adde airport. The results from the first round of voting seemed to favor the controversial incumbent Sheikh Sharif… Read More ›
Formation of Somalia’s New Parliament Delayed By Disqualified Candidates
The process to select Somalia’s new 275-member parliament from a list candidates submitted by 135 traditional elders has been delayed because the list contains at least 50 former warlords and candidates with insufficient educational qualifications. UN Special Representative to Somalia… Read More ›
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