Somalia, a country on the Horn of Africa, has faced three decades of chaos that has ripped the country apart. Warlords and Al-Shabab and Islamic State groups linked to the Al-Shababa have been at the forefront of the chaos in Somalia. Due to the attacks carried out by this group diplomats and staffers of the U.S Embassy in Somali had to flee for safety.
The actions of the jihadists led the United States to involve its forces in bringing peace to the country. To date, the United States as remained greatly involved in Somalia’s future. This year the state even began to find its footing after many years of struggling. The U.S Embassy returned to Somalia just last year after 28 long years proving the country was getting better.
Withdrawal of the U.S Troops
This year the Trump administration looks to withdraw the several hundred U.S military troops in Somalia. Some experts have argued that the move could be the worst possible action that the U.S could take at this time. The experts say this because Somalia faces a tense election in a few weeks to decide the presidency and parliament. Additionally, they argue the move is ill-advised because Al-Shabab have improved their bomb-making skills and now have an even bigger group of fighters.
The U.S Africa Command has seen a shift in Al-Shabab’s focus to attack U.S interests. The Command, however, stated that they still consider Al-Shabab as Africa’s most dangerous and imminent threat. Because of this they expect to continue with drone strikes in Somalia against Al-Shabab and IS fighters from neighbouring Djibouti and Kenya.
It is not certain whether President Donald Trump’s government will execute his orders before he leaves office in January. The president had earlier on in the year commented on withdrawing troops in Afghanistan and Iraq as well. No one knows whether his orders to withdraw 700 U.S military forces from Somalia will take place simultaneously with the Afghanistan and Iraq. Meanwhile, an even bigger military force the African Union’s 19,000-strong AMISOM also have begun their own withdrawal from Somalia.
Consequences of the Withdrawal
Without the help of the U.S forces and the AMISOM, the Somali national army believe the Al-Shabab will easily overrun them. The increased conflict in neighbouring Ethiopia caused the early withdrawal of Ethiopian troops. Continued withdrawal of the U.S troops and AMISOM would bring the country to its knees at the worst time.
The U.S forces provide significant support to the AMISOM and act as an interlocular with Somali forces. The U.S planned to have the Somalian troops take over the country’s security next year. With the recent reports of a withdrawal occurring this year, they reported that the implementation plans were badly off track. The U.S Department of Defence inspector general said Somali forces could not contain the Al-Shababa threat on their own. He added that the forces still greatly rely on the international community for financial support and sometimes go unpaid.
Some Somalians say that maybe the U.S withdrawal would lead to the AMISOM force adjusting their withdrawal arrangements. The United States has greatly engaged and offered to get down and dirt to ensure security in Somalia. So far, no other country appears willing to replace the U.S on the ground if they withdraw their forces. But the withdrawal opens space powers like Russia and China to step in and assist.
More:
