NAIROBI (SD) – Despite billions in international aid, Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab is faltering, according to a recent AFP report.

The militant group has recaptured key territories, reversing nearly 90% of the government’s 2022-23 gains, as clan militias—once critical allies—lose cohesion. The Somali National Army (SNA), plagued by poor coordination and desertions, is struggling to hold ground, while even elite U.S.-trained units shift to targeted strikes instead of territorial control.

Political infighting and clan rivalries have undermined security efforts, with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud prioritizing elections over military reform. Meanwhile, Al-Shabaab dominates Somalia’s shadow economy, funding its insurgency through taxation and smuggling.

International donors, frustrated by setbacks, are cutting support. The EU and U.S. have invested over $7 billion since 2007, but the African Union’s new mission (AUSSOM) faces delays as Somali forces remain unprepared. As Western aid dwindles, Mogadishu turns to Middle Eastern allies—though doubts persist about their ability to fill the gap.

Al-Shabaab regains strategic towns, exploiting clan militia divisions.

SNA’s weaknesses exposed: poor morale, leadership gaps, and overreliance on AU forces.

Donor fatigue grows as Somalia’s political crises overshadow security reforms.

Al-Shabaab’s economic grip tightens, making it “one of Africa’s most resilient insurgencies.”

With fading global support and a resurgent insurgency, Somalia’s path to stability appears increasingly precarious.