MOGADISHU, Somalia- The recent attack on the General Gordon military base in Somalia has raised serious concerns about security and recruitment flaws within the country’s armed forces. The violent incident resulted in the death of three soldiers from the United Arab Emirates and one from Bahrain. This attack has highlighted the infiltration of extremist groups like Al-Shabaab within the Somali government’s ranks, posing a significant threat to both the country’s security and the confidence of international partners in the Somali troops they train.
Critics have pointed out the Somali government’s failure to address the dangers posed by such attacks, which undermines the trust of foreign trainers. The recruitment process for soldiers has also come under scrutiny, with reports of inefficiency, corruption, and clan-based bias. This has led to concerns about individuals with familial ties rather than merit being included in the military, and the absence of thorough background checks on recruits poses a significant security risk.
The attack at the General Gordon base has not only raised unprecedented security concerns but also heightened worries over the presence of former Al-Shabaab members within the ranks of the Somali National Army. Countries like Turkey, the United States, the EU, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates continue to provide training within Somalia, with the Ministry of Defense responsible for the registration of individuals wishing to join the national forces.
In addition to the attack at General Gordon base, a previous incident at the Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy in Mogadishu resulted in the death of 25 soldiers and the injury of 70 others. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for this attack, prompting criticism of the government’s failure to disclose how the attacker managed to enter the highly secured facility. Security experts have identified a significant flaw in allowing soldiers to carry loaded weapons into formations during high-profile visits to military bases, creating potential security risks.
The persistence of Al-Shabaab within government institutions underscores the complex challenge Somalia faces in securing the nation against internal threats and the importance of stringent recruitment and vetting processes to safeguard its future. The government’s failure to conduct proper vetting of soldiers, including scrutinizing their guarantors, is seen as a critical vulnerability. The entanglement of Al-Shabaab within state security agencies is a significant contributor to the country’s security issues and will continue to be a problem until those within the government who support the group are addressed.