The Inside Story Podcast Has the fight against al-Shabab failed?
Dec 26, 2025
Afyare Elmi, a research professor focused on Somali governance, Abdi Fatah Ismail Tahir, a fellow analyzing the Somali Peninsula, and Abdullahi Halakhe, a security expert, dive deep into the ongoing threat of al-Shabaab. They discuss the failures of military solutions, advocating for negotiation and local political engagement. The need for better government strategies and accountability from international partners is stressed, highlighting the complex dynamics of regional security and humanitarian risks involved in current strategies.
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State Weakness Sustains Al-Shabaab
- Al-Shabaab's persistence stems more from Somali state weakness than the group's absolute strength.
- Dr. Afyare Elmi argues slow state-building and poor governance enable the group to endure.
Airstrikes Alone Won't End The Threat
- Reliance on remote airpower has not defeated Al-Shabaab despite heavy strikes.
- Abdullahi Halakhe warns that single-minded military pathways miss political realities and sustainability.
Open Political Space For Talks
- Consider negotiating with Al-Shabaab as a realistic policy option rather than an absolute taboo.
- Abdullahi Halakhe urges opening political space and exploring talks to achieve sustainable security.