MOGADISHU, Somalia — Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has warned that the country could face a serious security threat if international forces withdraw before Somalia’s own military and security institutions are fully prepared to take over.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the third Somalia Development Forum in Mogadishu, Sharif said the absence of a unified national security structure could create vulnerabilities as Somalia continues its fight against armed groups, including al-Shabaab.
“While no part of the country can be considered 100 percent secure, if AMISOM forces were to leave and our own security forces remain as fragmented as we have witnessed, we would be facing a serious security threat,” he said.
His comments came as Somalia’s security transition faces renewed uncertainty following developments surrounding the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which replaced the previous AU transition mission and continues to support Somali forces in operations against al-Shabaab.
The future of the mission has also been affected by concerns over financing after the United States indicated it would oppose continued UN logistical support for AUSSOM, raising questions over the force’s ability to maintain operations without alternative funding arrangements. The mission relies heavily on international assistance for supplies, transport, medical services and other support.
The two-day Somalia Development Forum, organised by the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies and City University of Mogadishu, brought together more than 300 participants, including government officials, lawmakers, religious scholars, traditional leaders, civil society groups, academics and international partners.
Sharif formally closed the gathering, where discussions focused on Somalia’s stability, national unity and development, as the country seeks to strengthen its institutions and assume greater responsibility for its own security.
