Somalia – Controversy over the government’s ability to repel Al-Shabab movement attacks

Mogadishu- Somalia 08/08/2019

The current security plan adopted by the Somali government has become controversial with regard to the government’s ability to thwart Al-Shabaab movement. The plan is followed by the government to address the repeated attacks of Al-Shabaab, including the latest of which targeted the capital’s headquarters, resulted in the death of a number of government officials, including the city’s mayor, Abdurrahman Omar. The former President of the Republic, Hussein Mahmud Mahmoud, pointed out that the attacks carried out by Al-shabaab movement target the government and civilians alike in the context of serious security breaches, noting the need to review the current security plans in addition to ensuring the quality of security personnel and their loyalty for the state project in light of the growing power of the movement.