Navigating Somalia National Security Dynamics: Perspectives From Southwest State

Security is fundamental to sustainable peace and development, serving as the foundation for progress in governance, reconciliation, justice, and service delivery. In alignment with our commitment to peacebuilding and our goal of delivering high-quality technical analysis on strategic domains such as security, IRAD partnered with Warteelka Arlaadi to host an X Space discussion on Somalia’s national security dynamics on September 14, 2024. This event convened senior security experts and analysts to explore critical topics, including federal security arrangements, the ATMIS drawdown, regional security challenges, and the trust deficit between federal and regional administrations.

The dialogue was informed by extensive preparatory work, including high-profile interviews, observations during the Somali Prime Minister’s visit to Baidoa, consultations with various sectors of Southwest State society, desk review data analysis, and comprehensive literature reviews. Building on these efforts, IRAD published this in-depth article analyzing Somalia’s national security dynamics through the lens of Southwest State. The publication aims to support evidence-based decision-making and advance the shared goal of fostering peace, unity, and stability in Somalia.

This research underscores the understanding that addressing security is not merely a technical challenge but a foundational step toward building a resilient and inclusive future for all Somalis.

Download the full paper here to explore more insights and analysis