REPORT FOR SECURITY KEY SECURITY ISSUES IN SOMALIA

Content

Introduction This report will illustrate the security within the country and the impact the civil war has on civilians. It will then explain the effects this insecurity in the country has on the global security. Somalia is based strategically at the horn of Africa and Mogadishu as it capital city. Since 1990, the country has been severally destroyed due to the civil war, droughts and floods in the later years. In 1992 the UN arrived to help to stop the civil war but unfortunately they had to depart in 1995. The north parts of Somalia call themselves the Somaliland and Puntland. These two territories have declared separate from the south part where the war still continues till today. In general Somaliland as well as Puntland are not recognised by the world but their security is stable compared to the southern part.

Security within the country

One of the security threats within Somalia are the Al Shabab who are extremist Islamic group that control the some parts of southern Somalia including the capital. They are fighting against the transitional federation government (TFG) who are backed by the UN. This group has previously attacked the AMISOM peacekeepers for assisting the TFG and have shown to bear weapons that can target areas beyond the borders of Somalia. Arms and weapons seem to be flowing into Somalia with no answer to who is supplying the militias. The TFG have tried to demilitarise the gunmen but they had no luck. In Somalia the civilians are the victims especially the people from the low classed clans, women and children. The ongoing war forced many civilians to flee to the neighbouring countries to seek refuge. Thousands of Somalis fled the country due to several reasons such as droughts, famines, lack of basic needs caused by the war. Meanwhile families from the local communities are pressured by Al Shabab to send their sons to learn either the Islamic teaching or military training and fight for them, Otherwise they have to pay $50 per month. This group also intend to punish anyone who refuses to obey, feed or support them. The Juba River which was usually used by the local community is claimed by this group and now the residents have to pay for living on the land. The militants tax the local farmers for using the water from the river to support their ongoing of their mission. Roadblocks have been set up to stop anyone trying to leave the Al Shabab territory or even trying to leave Somalia to countries such as Kenya.

Due to the conflict the country had faced and is still struggling with droughts and famines which again have its impact in contributing towards the security. As xxxx(xxx) highlights that famine and

hunger can cause land degradation, failed agriculture and declination of resource that should be available to the people. The failure of agriculture will lead to social protest, riots due to hunger Security impact at global level Al qaeda: in 2012 the TFG announced that the Al Shabab have collaborated with the AlQaida and this is a threat not only to the security internally but also to the neighbouring countries. The national security committee requested the embargo that had been imposed in 1992 should be removed. This can assist the TFG to fight the militants and secure the country. These militants are obstacles not only to the TFG but also to the humanitarian aid workers. They prevent the aid workers from operating within their region. The militants believe that the aid workers are usually spies for the west and are not actually there to support the people instead they are there to pass information about them. Countries such as Kenya feel their security under threat by these unidentified individuals without any documentation to proof their identity claiming asylum. At least 1500 people arrive daily in the Dadaab camp in Kenya and estimation of 200-300 arrive in Dolo Ado camp in Ethiopia. Piracy Suicide bombers

Bibliography Al Shabab leadership profile http://www.criticalthreats.org/somalia/al-shabaab-leadership AllAfrica Somalia (2011) National Security Committee Warns Threat of Al-Shabab-Al-Qaeda Merger http://allafrica.com/stories/201202150054.html Zimmerman, K (sept2011) Critical threats, Al Shabab and the challenges of providing humanitarian assistance in Somalia http://www.criticalthreats.org/somalia/zimmerman-shabaab-challengeshumanitarian-assistance-somalia-september-8-2011

Security Information (updated: March 2005) http://www.iss.co.za/af/profiles/somalia/SecInfo.html