Mogadishu, SOMALIA – The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) expressed alarm over the surge in clan violence across the country through a statement released by the Ministry of Interior, Federalism, and Reconciliation (MoIFR). However, this public appeal rings hollow, as the government itself bears significant responsibility for the escalating conflict between clan militias. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s controversial decision to arm and mobilize clan militias as part of the offensive against the terrorist group Al-Shabab has directly contributed to the current crisis, undermining the very stability and security that the government claims to be seeking.
The Government’s Misguided Approach
The FGS’s strategy of arming clan militias to combat Al-Shabab has been a recipe for disaster from the outset. By providing weapons and support to these groups, the government has effectively created a parallel security structure that operates outside the formal institutions of the state. This shortsighted approach has empowered clan militias to pursue their own narrow interests, often at the expense of national unity and stability.
The government’s actions have not only exacerbated existing tensions and rivalries between clans but have also provided them with the means to engage in violent conflict. The result has been a wave of clan violence that has swept across the country, from Galmudug and Hirshabelle to Southwest State, claiming numerous lives and displacing thousands of civilians.
It is disingenuous for MOIFR to express alarm over the situation, as if it were a helpless third party observer. The FGS has actively contributed to the problem through its misguided policy of arming clan militias, and it must take responsibility for the consequences of its actions.
The Folly of Relying Clans for Security
The surge in clan violence amidst the government’s anti-Al-Shabab offensive has laid bare the folly of relying on non-state actors to provide security. While the need to combat the terrorist group is undeniable, the government’s approach has only served to undermine the very institutions that are essential for long-term stability and security.
By empowering clan militias, the FGS has weakened its own authority and legitimacy, creating a situation where armed groups with competing loyalties and agendas can operate with impunity. This has not only complicated the fight against Al-Shabab but has also made it more difficult for the government to assert control over the country and provide basic services to its citizens.
Instead of relying on clan militias, the government should be focusing on building a professional, well-trained, and well-equipped national security force that is loyal to the state and accountable to the Somali people. This requires a long-term investment in the country’s security sector, as well as a commitment to reforms that promote transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights.
The Need for a Comprehensive Approach to Security
The MOIFR’s public appeal for an end to clan violence in Somalia rings hollow because it fails to address the root causes of the problem. To effectively address the challenges facing Somalia, the FGS must adopt a comprehensive and inclusive approach to security that goes beyond military action against Al-Shabab.
This requires a commitment to dialogue, reconciliation, and power-sharing among the country’s various clans and factions, as well as a focus on addressing the underlying drivers of conflict, such as poverty, inequality, and weak governance. The government must also prioritize the development of inclusive political processes and institutions that can provide a platform for peaceful resolution of disputes and promote national unity.
Finally, MOIFR must recognize that the FGS’s own actions have contributed to the current crisis in Somalia and take steps to reverse the damage done by its misguided policy of arming clan militias. This may require a difficult process of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of these groups, as well as efforts to strengthen the formal security institutions of the state.
