Somalia not yet ready to fully assume security responsibilities, report says 

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia's security forces are not yet capable of quickly and fully assuming all responsibilities currently carried out by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), the International Crisis Group (ICG) said in a report.

The report pointed to security operations in Lower Shabelle, saying Somali forces had continued to rely on external support to conduct operations in the region.

ICG also said political disputes between the federal government and some federal member states, particularly Puntland and Jubaland, were hampering efforts to build a unified national military.

Somalia has established bilateral security arrangements with Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia, the report said. Those agreements could allow troops from the three countries to remain in Somalia even if AUSSOM is scaled down or eventually ends, according to ICG.

The report also highlighted Türkiye's growing role in Somalia's security sector. Ankara has trained thousands of Somali soldiers and provided military support to the country, ICG said.

The United States, meanwhile, is expected to continue conducting separate counterterrorism operations in Somalia against Al-Shabaab, according to the report.

ICG warned that if United Nations support through the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) ends, AUSSOM could struggle to maintain its operations at their current level. Areas vacated by AUSSOM forces could become vulnerable to attacks or attempts by Al-Shabaab to retake territory, it said.

Lower Shabelle and Middle Shabelle were identified as areas requiring particular security planning, with key towns and roads likely to need dedicated protection as international forces draw down.

Somali forces and troops from countries with bilateral security agreements with the federal government could play a role in securing those areas after AUSSOM's withdrawal, the report said.

ICG urged the Somali government and its international partners to urgently develop a new security plan before UNSOS support is fully phased out, warning that a lack of preparation could create security gaps during the transition.

GAROWE ONLINE