Enhanced Policing is Critical to Sustain Military Victories in Somalia

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies argues that transitioning Somalia from conflict to post-conflict stability requires shifting security responsibilities from military forces to an enhanced, professional police force to protect liberated areas from al-Shabaab's guerrilla tactics and build public trust.

• While allied forces including the Somali government, AMISOM, Kenya, and Ethiopia have achieved military victories, al-Shabaab has shifted to guerrilla tactics such as suicide bombings, grenade attacks, and hit-and-run assaults. In May alone, insecurity caused 209 deaths and 265 injuries across various regions of Somalia.
• The capture of Afgoye is a major strategic success for AMISOM and a setback for al-Shabaab, as it was the group's second most important stronghold after Kismayo. Controlling Afgoye secures a route between Mogadishu and Baidoa, as well as ports in Merka and Kismayo, and allows aid access to approximately 400,000 internally displaced persons.
• To sustain military gains, the primary role of security in liberated areas must transfer to the police. The two main priorities for policing are establishing public trust in the government's ability to provide protection and ensuring the use of due process of law when handling suspects, including al-Shabaab members.
• Building a professional police force requires comprehensive reform of recruitment, training, and remuneration. The author recommends rigorous background checks and screening for new hires, training that incorporates Somali sociocultural realities, and the establishment of a proper payroll system to replace current sporadic remuneration practices.

APA

Baffa, T. D. (n.d.). Enhanced Policing is Critical to Sustain Military Victories in Somalia. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/enhanced-policing-is-critical-to-sustain-military-victories-in-somalia

Chicago

Baffa, Tsegaye D. Enhanced Policing is Critical to Sustain Military Victories in Somalia. Institute for Security Studies, n.d. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/enhanced-policing-is-critical-to-sustain-military-victories-in-somalia.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Baffa |first1=Tsegaye D. |title=Enhanced Policing is Critical to Sustain Military Victories in Somalia |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |url=https://issafrica.org/iss-today/enhanced-policing-is-critical-to-sustain-military-victories-in-somalia |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{baffandenhanced, author = {Baffa, Tsegaye D.}, title = {{Enhanced Policing is Critical to Sustain Military Victories in Somalia}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.org/iss-today/enhanced-policing-is-critical-to-sustain-military-victories-in-somalia}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }