STRATEGIC APPROACHES TO SECURITY CRISES IN SOMALIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR FOREIGN POLICY

Abstract

The persistent security crisis in Somalia has become a focal point in contemporary academic and policy discussions. This study examines the multifaceted security challenges confronting Somalia, identifying the underlying causes and proposing strategic and foreign policy options for sustainable national stability. Beyond political fragmentation, both internal and external factors have severely undermined the country’s security landscape, impeding national development. Deficiencies within Somalia’s military, maritime, and intelligence strategies have further weakened its capacity to address these threats effectively. Moreover, the absence of a coherent and proactive foreign policy has limited Somalia’s ability to navigate international relations and manage external security pressures. The nation has also suffered from detrimental foreign interventions under the guise of counterterrorism and anti-extremism efforts. Internally, tribal divisions and terrorism—particularly activities associated with Al-Shabaab—have critically eroded the national security framework. The resulting instability not only threatens Somalia’s internal cohesion but also undermines regional peace and security. This paper explores viable strategic and foreign policy approaches to rebuild Somalia’s security architecture, emphasizing context-specific, historically informed solutions to promote long-term stability and sovereignty.