While at the mall having an amazing time with friends after a long day at school; all of a sudden, you wake up in a hospital room and the news broadcasts a suicide bombing that happened at a local mall, led by the militant group called al-Shabaab. This is what life is like for many people in Somalia. Al-Shabaab affects many areas in Somalia including the education system and is one of the main causes for the massive corruption problem. Even though there are other factors that contribute to the poor living quality of Somalia, al-Shabaab maintains control over Somalia through taxation, loyalty, fear and war; as a result, Somalia will never flourish and move out of the developing country status. Al-Shabaab is the root cause of all these situations.

The word al-Shabaab translates to “the youth”. The group originated in the late 1980s when Somalis, who had participated in the Afghan mujahideen’s struggle against the Soviet Union, returned to their homeland. During this period the Somali fighters who had returned established a Salafi militant group known as al-Ittihad al-Islam (AIAI). When the Somali state officially collapsed in 1992, and AIAI disbanded, younger members integrated into the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) (Center for Preventive Action). As efforts persisted to rebuild Somalia, the ICU expanded its influence, eventually seizing control of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia in June 2006. Al-Shabaab asserted its authority over the majority of southern Somalia and expanded its ranks to several thousand members between 2006 and 2008 (Center for Preventive Action). Eventually, AMISOM intervened to safeguard the newly formed government in Mogadishu, angering al-Shabaab and prompting the group to expand its influence beyond Somalia’s borders. “On July 11, 2010, al-Shabaab launched its first foreign attack in Kampala, Uganda, killing seventy-six people in a series of suicide bombings” (Center for Preventive Action). In 2011 al-Shabaab reached its peak, controlling parts of the capital and the strategic port of Kismayo. However, AMISOM’s intervention pushed al-Shabaab out of the capital, prompting the group to retaliate by announcing a four-day siege on a mall in Nairobi, Kenya. This attack resulted in the deaths of sixty-seven people, marking the deadliest terrorist incident for Kenya in over 15 years (Center for Preventive Action). 

Al-Shabaab not only strikes fear, but also affects many other areas. One of which includes education. The terrorist group compromises many young citizens, who should ideally be attending school. These young scholars are deployed to the front line and often die due to lack of training and experience. Rape also takes place numerous times unfortunately, which leads to unwanted teen pregnancies and early marriage (Hirwa). Since students are recruited by al-Shabaab, there are many disparities associated with education as well. Somalia has been struggling with internal security issues for the past three years. These factors, along with al-Shabaab, lead parents to prioritize their children's safety over the quality of education they receive at the nearby schools. Teachers also rarely acquire the salaries they are owed for the service they provide (Hriwa). Furthermore the attack on education does not come to an end. In approximately 40 armed conflict zones globally, an average of 4 schools or hospitals are either attacked or utilized for military purposes every day (Bennouna et al.). Despite schools or hospitals being safeguarded as civilian objects under international humanitarian law, attacking these ‘soft targets’ is a common tactic employed by armed groups and forces. This ranges from the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab, responsible for the April 2, 2015, attack on Garissa University College in Kenya that claimed 147 lives, to the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in Yemen and Russian forces in Syria coalitions’ airstrike campaigns that have repeatedly targeted hospitals and schools (Bennouna et al.). 

The militant group also led many attacks on various occasions. During a nightclub attack in Djibouti, in March 2014, al-Shabaab perpetrated its first suicide bombing in the country’s history, resulting in the death of a foreign national and injuring numerous others (Center for Preventive Action). In 2015, al-Shabaab perpetrated an attack at Garissa University College in Kenya, killing 148 individuals after holding 700 students hostage for a 15-hour siege (Center for Preventive Action). In October 2017, they were suspected of orchestrating a twin truck bombing in Mogadishu and northern Kenya, along with an assault on a Kenyan military base hosting US troops, resulting in the deaths of three US service members. In 2022, there was a 41% rise in al-Shabaab violence directed towards civilians (Center for Preventive Action). Considering all of these atrocities, a question that keeps people wondering is how al-Shabaab has been so successful and not been caught and prosecuted? Al-Shabaab often abandons its bases to draw security forces into ambushes or distract them while launching attacks in urban centers that are relatively less guarded at the time (Center for Preventive Action). 

On top of that, corruption is probably one of the biggest issues in Somalia, and al-Shabaab definitely does not help. Somalia has a designated ‘green zone’ where tourists and government officials are pressured to stay. The green zone has heavily guarded convoys constantly moving around and still al-Shabaab manages to keep a close eye on the government officials (Horton). One place in Somalia that al-Shabaab and corruption has not been able to get a grasp on is in the self-declared independent Somaliland. Since they have declared their independence from Somalia, they have been able to craft a constitution, establish a government and Somaliland  has conducted government and parliamentary elections (Horton). They have also successfully prevented al-Shabaab from taking over and is considered one of the safest capitals in Africa (Horton). Furthermore, Somaliland does not receive guidance from international advisers. So, why does al-Shabaab struggle to gain a foothold in Somaliland? Partly because Somaliland does not have nearly as many clans as Somalia, but the primary reason is because they have been able to establish a government that a majority of citizens trust (Horton). 

Contributing to corruption is unaccounted funds. A leaked U.N. report revealed that in 2009 and 2010, the government of Somalia was unable to account for $7 out of every $10 received. Recently, the Somalian Government was unable to justify the disappearance of $42 million in funds. A significant portion of the funds provided by donor nations find its way into the grasp of al-Shabaab (Horton). A security analyst based in Ethiopia noted that al-Shabaab collects what it describes as taxes, even from high-ranking government officials. They also noted that some officials,who may genuinely sympathize, understand that they must pay or face the consequences. Al-Shabaab is adept at securing its share and closely monitors the use of funds through numerous accountants. Theft is punishable by hand amputation, under orders of al-Shabaab, leading to relatively low corruption at the lower levels (Horton). 

Every single day there are risks to life, but in Somalia the risk is so much higher. Al-Shabaab maintains control of Somalia in more ways than just a physical grip but also a grip on taxation, loyalty, fear and war. As a result, Somalia will never flourish and emerge from its status as a developing country. The militant group will always have a hold on the government, corruption and education. As long as al-Shabaab is in Somalia’s picture, the situation, and people, will struggle to move forward and flourish. The only way that the rest of the world can help is by praying that the situation improves and to assist by sending food if they can and hopefully maybe even one day trying to get control back from al-Shabaab and reestablishing the Somali government.

Bennouna, Cyril, et al. "Monitoring and reporting attacks on education in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia." Disasters, vol. 42, no. 2, Apr. 2018, pp. 314-35. Academic Search Premier, research.ebsco.com/c/u7bjjp/viewer/html/jfg7ebl2db. Accessed 4 Feb. 2024.

This study looks into whether gathering information from local education and child protection groups in Somalia can help better records of attacks on education in those areas. I will use this article in my project to explain that it is difficult to maintain education for children in Somalia and that educatinon is being challenged in major ways.

Center for Preventive Action. "Conflict With Al-Shabaab in Somalia." Global Conflict Tracker, Conflict on Foreign Relations, 14 Feb. 2024, www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/al-shabab-somalia#:~:text=The%20foundations%20of%20Harakat%20Shabaab,(AIAI)%20during%20this%20time. Accessed 17 Mar. 2024.

Hirwa, Belise. "Educational challenges in Somalia." Broken Chalk, brokenchalk.org/educational-challenges-in-somalia/. Accessed 3 Feb. 2024.

This article talks about what the educational threats are and how they influence the educational system. I will use this article in my project to discuss all the different issues that the educational system faces and how and why it is difficult to maintain schools and education in Somalia.

Horton, Michael. "The Mongadishu Morass: Lessons in foreign policy from Somalia and Somaliland." The American Conservative, vol. 18, no. 6, Nov.-Dec. 2019, pp. 43-45. Academic Search Premier, research.ebsco.com/c/u7bjjp/viewer/pdf/xr5uif5tdv. Accessed 4 Feb. 2024.

This article talks about how corrupt Somalia is, not only its government, but also other parts. It talks about al-Shabaab ando how they have eyes and ears everywhere and is not afraid of attacking. This could be useful in my project because it proves that third world countries almost always has corruption hapening in them and that its really dangerous.

How severe is Somalia's food crisis? Norwegian Refugee Council, 30 May 2023, www.nrc.no/perspectives/2023/how-severe-is-somalias-food-crisis/#:~:text=Somalia%20is%20experiencing%20one%20of,food%20insecurity%20in%20the%20country. Accessed 1 Feb. 2024.

This article talks about the food crisis in Somalia and how the war betwee Ukraine and Russia worsened it. It also talks about the main causes for the food insecurity, the communities affected by it and the crop failiures. I will definetly use this in my project to illustrate the struggle and to give more of a perspective to how bad things can get in third world countries.

Ibrahim, M., et al. "Mental health crisis in Somalia: a review and a way forward." International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 29 Feb. 2022. Academic Search Premier, research.ebsco.com/c/u7bjjp/viewer/html/iyvl2mgypv. Accessed 2 Feb. 2024.

This study aims to help policymakers prioritize designing and implementing interventions to enhance mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in Somalia. I could use this in my project to illustrate that your mental health can take a really big knock from what is happening around you and your living conditions.

Medlicott, Lauren Crosby. "SOMALIA: FEARFUL FUTURE." New Internationalist, no. 538, July-Aug. 2022, p. 13. Academic Search Premier, research.ebsco.com/c/u7bjjp/viewer/html/ovevm6uzhn. Accessed 2 Feb. 2024.

The article talks about how bad the food prices has raised and how it continues to raise, as well as how women and children are going to camps fr internally displaced people. I think that this could be useful because it shows how bad it is getting and what the future could be for Somalia it these condidtions continue.

Osman, Abdullahi Nur. "Somalia' s Healthcare System: The Current Landscape and the Solutions We Need." Garowe Online, 5 Jan. 2022, www.garoweonline.com/en/opinions/somalia-s-healthcare-system-the-current-landscape-and-the-solutions-we-need. Accessed 2 Feb. 2024.

The article talks about how bad the healthcare is in Somalia and how Covid-19 made the system even weaker. It also talks about how Somalia really needs outsde help and investors to help try and make it better. I will definately use this in my project to show that healthcare is not accessable all arouund the world and that some people really struggle in that aspect especially.

Page, Alexis. "Poverty in Somalia." The Borgen Project, 6 June 2020, borgenproject.org/tag/poverty-in-somalia/. Accessed 31 Jan. 2024.

The article talks about possible solutions for the poverty that is happening in Somalia, th epoverty itself and the issues that it brings, facts about poverty in the capital of Somalia and what it is doing to the people of Somalia. This will be very useful in my project because it shows how bad life can be in third world countries and it really puts it into perspective.

Somali Community Link. "All You Need to Know About Somali Culture and Traditions." Somali Community Link, www.somalicommunitylink.com/all-you-need-to-know-about-somali-culture-and-traditions/. Accessed 2 Feb. 2024.

This article discusses the four most important cultural things and traditions in Somalia. I think that I could use this to show that life in Somalia is not just about the bad, but that there is also good going on there.