Somalia at a crossroads: political deadlock, security risks and regional stability

Reduced international support for peacekeeping in Somalia comes at a time of heightened political tensions in the country.

Date: 2026-09-03

Time: 09:00 to 12:00

Venue: Radisson Blu, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Somalia is at a critical political and security juncture. Continued political disagreement is undermining efforts to strengthen state institutions and hold elections. It also diverts attention from urgent security priorities, including the fight against al-Shabaab.

At the same time, withdrawal of United States funding for the country’s peacekeeping mission raises important questions about the sustainability of Somalia’s security architecture and the future of international engagement. Speakers at this seminar will discuss Somalia’s political trajectory and its implications for the Horn of Africa region.

Moderator: Dr Emmaculate A Liaga, Researcher, Institute for Security Studies (ISS)

Presenter: Selam Tadesse Demissie, Researcher, ISS

Panelists:

Abdimalik Abdullahi, Director General, Office of National Security, Federal Government of Somalia
Abu Sharif, Political Officer, Peace Support Operations Division, African Union
Samira Gaid, Regional Security Analyst and Co-founder of Balqiis, Mogadishu