By Yusuf Ibrahim Mohamed
Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab has taken a perilous turn under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Rather than strengthening the national army — a critical institution for long-term stability — his administration has systematically weakened it, opting instead to rely on clan-based militias for major military operations.
This short-sighted strategy may yield temporary gains, but it risks fracturing the country further, entrenching warlordism, and undermining the possibility of a unified Somali state.
The Erosion of the National Army
A functional national military is the backbone of any sovereign state. Yet, under President Mohamud, Somalia’s armed forces remain underfunded, poorly equipped, and riddled with defections.
Soldiers often go months without pay, morale is abysmal, and command structures are undermined by political interference. Reports of corruption in defense procurement and the diversion of resources have further crippled the army’s effectiveness.
Instead of addressing these systemic issues, the government has outsourced security to clan militias in key operations against Al-Shabaab. These militias, often mobilized through local deals with elders and regional leaders, lack the discipline, centralized command, and accountability of a professional military. While they may have local knowledge and motivation, their loyalties lie with their clans—not the Somali state.
Short-Term Gains, Long-Term Risks
There is no denying that clan militias have played a role in pushing back Al-Shabaab in some regions. The government’s much-touted offensives in Hirshabelle and Galmudug have relied heavily on these irregular forces. But this approach is unsustainable. Clan militias are not a substitute for a national army; they are a stopgap measure that could backfire spectacularly.
History shows that empowering militias in Somalia leads to two outcomes: Fragmentation of Authority – When clans gain military leverage, they also demand political concessions. This undermines the federal government’s authority and could reignite inter-clan conflicts once the common enemy (Al-Shabaab) is weakened.
Militias Turning Rogue – Many of these armed groups have shifting loyalties. Today’s anti-Al-Shabaab fighters could become tomorrow’s spoilers, extorting communities or even defecting to the insurgents for better pay.
The Ghost of Warlordism Returns
Somalia has been here before. In the 1990s and early 2000s, U.S.-backed warlords were used to fight terrorism, only for many to become destabilizing actors themselves. By relying on clan forces instead of building a professional military, Mohamud’s government risks repeating past mistakes.
The president’s defenders argue that Somalia has no choice—that the national army is too weak, and international support too inconsistent. But this is a self-fulfilling prophecy. By neglecting the military and outsourcing security to clans, the government ensures that the army will never improve.
Path Forward: Rebuilding the National Army
If Somalia is to survive as a unified state, it must prioritize rebuilding its national army. This requires: Reliable funding and salaries to prevent defections and boost morale.
Professional training and centralized command to reduce clan-based divisions within the ranks. International support conditioned on reform, not just short-term counterterrorism wins.
President Mohamud must choose: Will he be the leader who finally builds a national army capable of securing Somalia, or will he deepen the country’s dependence on militias, ensuring another cycle of conflict? The future of Somalia depends on his answer.
Somalia President Hassan’s Defining Choice
President Mohamud faces a defining choice: Will he be the leader who builds a national army capable of securing Somalia’s future, or will he cement the country’s reliance on militias, ensuring another cycle of war and fragmentation?
The survival of the Somali state depends on his answer.
Using clan militias to combat Al-Shabaab is a dangerous short-term gamble. While it may bring immediate victories, it ultimately weakens Somalia’s state institutions and national unity. President Mohamud must reverse course and recommit to building a professional military—or risk leaving Somalia more divided than ever.
The Writer is Yusuf Ibrahim Mohamed, an independent defense affairs journalist based in Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia.
