Uneasy coexistence and mutual deterrent co-relationship become status quo or modus operandi between Somalia’s extremists and African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM, now transitioning into African Union Transition Mission in Somalia. ATMIS is a multi-layer and thriving political, diplomatic, and security industry, which rarely engages in actual combat with the extremists lately, leaving poorly paid Somali government conscripts vulnerable on daily basis. This encourages Alshabab to be more aggressive and have all combat initiatives in their bombing campaigns, mainly in Mogadishu, where AMISOM forces are predominantly stationed.
Occasionally, one hears rare attacks directed at AMISOM, and even then there is suspicion surrounding these incidents on whether they are inside jobs or instigated to justify continued presence of foreign troops and hugely profitable security industry of “Black Water” type.
In a wishy-washy project, FGS requested for the removal of AMISOM from Somalia, only to go back to its word, asking for the continuation of their stay. Mutual understanding of Mogadishu Regime and international community on the issue is that a security vacuum will enable Al-shabab to take over Somalia Ala Talaban.
Egypt and Ethiopia are now stepping up their Nile Water fights at expenses of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding a new dimension of complications for ATMIS contributing countries now taking up high stakes in lucrative security industry in Somalia.
Since Somali leaders are too naive and weak to come together by sorting out their petty political differences, ATMIS is here to stay as long as Western governments are willing to pay for it, and eventually when their priorities change, they will leave Somalia to its own device.
Talk about Somalia’s security preparedness to find out a scandal of unheard scale – name any country on earth which has diplomatic contact with Villa Somalia that doesn’t have a military shopping list from Somalia for arms and training of troops. What a joke!
(This article was edited after posting).
Warsame Policy & Media Network (WAPMEN) 