Somalia: A Nation Grappling with Terrorism, Corruption, and a Fragile Hope for Stability
Despite tangible improvements in some areas, Somalia remains one of the world’s most dangerous nations, plagued by ongoing terrorist activity from groups like al-Shabab and ISIS, widespread corruption, and a complex socio-political landscape. Hundreds have been killed in 2024 alone, according to Human Rights Watch, caught in the crossfire between jihadist groups and internal clan conflicts.
Somalia, strategically located on the Horn of Africa with Africa’s longest coastline, faces a precarious reality where daily life is often overshadowed by violence and extortion. Armed roadblocks controlled by terrorists or government troops are commonplace, and lawlessness pervades many regions.
Former President Donald Trump publicly criticized Somalia on Wednesday, stating, “It’s just a people walking around killing each other.” He questioned whether Somalia is “the worst country on Earth,” adding, “I don’t know… I haven’t been there. I won’t be there anytime soon. I hope.”
Escalated US Airstrikes Target Terrorist Groups
The Trump administration dramatically escalated US military intervention in Somalia, increasing airstrikes against ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliates more than tenfold compared to missions conducted under President Biden in 2024. On November 25, US and Somali forces reportedly utilized drones and ten MH-60 helicopters to attack ISIS-Somalia terrorists in the Puntland region. Just days later, on November 28, US forces struck al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab terrorists near Kismayo in southern Somalia.
The vast majority of Somalia’s population – over 99% – identifies as Sunni Muslim, according to the country’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs. However, the presence of extremist groups continues to destabilize the nation.
Al-Shabab’s Enduring Control and Financial Strength
“Al-Shabab continues to hold significant territory in southern and central Somalia,” explained Bill Roggio, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and editor of FDD’s Long War Journal. While precise figures remain undisclosed, estimates suggest al-Shabab controlled approximately 25% of Somalia in 2019. Roggio asserts that security has deteriorated since then, and the group likely controls even more ground today. In areas under its control, al-Shabab imposes a strict interpretation of Sharia law, levies taxes on civilians, and actively recruits and trains young men for jihad.
The group’s financial network is extensive and deeply embedded within Somali society. A recent report from the European Union’s Agency for Asylum indicated that al-Shabab’s total income exceeded $150 million in 2023, derived from sources including checkpoints, extortion, taxation of imports, kidnappings for ransom, and even property ventures. “Nobody has to ‘mean’ to fund al-Shabab,” a former State Department counterterrorism analyst told Minnesota’s Kare 11 News. “But that’s sort of the cost of doing business in Somalia because the government has been so ineffective at protecting people from al-Shabab’s extortion.”
A Complex Reality on the Ground
Despite the ongoing challenges, life in Somalia is not uniformly bleak. “In Somalia, it all depends on where you are,” noted Samatar Talliye, a resident of Mogadishu. “The country is big, and the experiences are very different. Mogadishu is relatively safe, and it is a big city with millions of people. Business is booming, the housing market is insane, and new projects are started every day.”
Another Mogadishu resident, Abdisamad Artan Ahmed, recently told Reuters, “Somalia is currently one of the safest countries in East Africa. Whether in Mogadishu or other regions, Somalia is secure and stable. This is the best and safest time for the country.”
However, Human Rights Watch reports that terror attacks still occur in the capital, citing an al-Shabab attack on a beach restaurant in August of last year that killed 37 civilians and injured over 200.
Anna Mahjar-Barducci, project director at the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), observed “tangible signs of improvement in aspects of daily life in Somalia particularly in Mogadishu,” but cautioned that “progress is uneven: rural and southern regions face ongoing al-Shabab threats.”
Weak Governance and Pervasive Corruption
“Violence and danger is mostly in places where the government has not reached,” Talliye explained, identifying pockets of instability in Jubaland, South West State, Hirshabbele, and Galmadug. He noted that state governments in these regions are weak and control only a few major towns, contrasting with the stronger control exercised by Puntland and Somaliland.
Mahjar-Barducci emphasized that “overall safety remains precarious, with persistent al-Shabab attacks, displacement, and weak policing.” She described a contrast between the “cautious normalcy” of urban hubs and the “checkpoint-heavy, militant-influenced routines” prevalent elsewhere.
Corruption is also a significant obstacle. “Corruption is widespread in many government offices, and obtaining services often requires paying extra fees,” Mahjar-Barducci stated. “Bribery is common across various public services. In Somalia, authority is often concentrated in the hands of the governor, mayor or district officers, and, at times, anyone who is armed.”
A History of Chaos and a Hope for the Future
The current instability arguably stems from the civil war that erupted in 1991. Fox News correspondent Eric Shawn, who reported from Mogadishu the following year, described a nation ruled by warlords, facing mass starvation and complete anarchy. “There was gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades being launched every night,” he recalled. “The country had devolved into anarchy and total uncertainty. There was no electricity and basic human conditions were barbaric.”
For many Somalis, freedom remains a distant dream. Mahjar-Barducci defined it as “living without fear — being able to move freely, work safely, and care for their families. It includes safety from checkpoints and clan tensions, speaking openly, running a business without intimidation, and sending children to school without worry.”
Talliye reflected, “People are scared of al-Shabab, and the hope is the long and painful journey towards one man, one vote. People only believe things will change when politicians are held responsible by the people.” Despite decades of hardship, a resilient spirit persists, and Somalis continue to strive for a more stable and secure future.
