Somali army weapons, ammunition sold in open markets as corruption and poor management fuel Al-Shabaab's advances - MP

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Somali army weapons, ammunition sold in open markets as corruption and poor management fuel Al-Shabaab's advances - MP

MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – Corruption and poor management within the Somali National Army have been identified as the primary factors contributing to low morale among troops, resulting in their retreat from the frontline and allowing Al-Shabaab mili

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Somali MP Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu. | PHOTO/X.

MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – Corruption and poor management within the Somali National Army have been identified as the primary factors contributing to low morale among troops, resulting in their retreat from the frontline and allowing Al-Shabaab militants to make significant gains across southern and central Somalia.

Somali MP Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu has strongly criticized the pervasive corruption within the army, highlighting its detrimental impact on morale.

He emphasized that morale is a crucial determinant in combat situations.

Moalimuu also attributed these challenges to corrupt practices within companies closely associated with Villa Somalia, where army supplies were entrusted.

Corruption and poor management are the root causes of low morale of Somali National Army. Morale is a deciding factor in every combat situation. Poor logistics slowed down the advancement of our troops, undermined their morale and hindered military effectiveness after supplies of…
— Hon Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu (@MOALIMUU) April 5, 2024

"Poor logistics slowed down the advancement of our troops, undermined their morale and hindered military effectiveness after supplies of the army were handed over to corrupt companies with close relations to Villa Somalia,” the critical lawmaker wrote.

Despite previous successful operations against armed groups like Al-Shabaab, Moalimuu expressed concerns that ongoing mismanagement and corruption within the army could lead to its dismantling.

"Somali soldiers had conducted in the past successful operations against armed groups including Alshabaab, demolishing their networks and reclaiming territory but now the ongoing poor administration and widespread corruption in the army may cause the dismantling of our forces whose trainings had been spent a lot of money by Somalia partners in many years,” he noted.

MP Moalimuu highlighted the diversion of army weapons and ammunition to the black market, exacerbating the security situation.

"Somali army weapons and ammunition continue to be diverted to open markets despite the government often pledges to prevent its arms from leaking and ending up in the black market to Al Shabaab,” Moalimuu said.

The persistence of secret weapon markets in Mogadishu, coupled with illicit arms flows from Yemen and Iran, further compound the problem.

The lawmaker Moalimuu called for urgent action to address these challenges, emphasizing the need for disciplined and effective leadership within the Somali National Army.

"It is time we seriously address the above-mentioned challenges in our SNA leadership and would find disciplined and good managing unit to lead our army,” he demands.

The lack of investigations into recent Al-Shabaab attacks underscores the urgency of the situation.

From September 2022 to March of this year, Al-Shabaab has launched dozens of major attacks across various regions, including Masagaway, Galcad, Ceeldheer, Caad, and Bacaadweyn in Galgaduud and Mudug. Additionally, they targeted towns in Middle Shabelle such as Daaru Nicma and Al-Kowther.

Al-Shabaab’s brazen assaults extended to Mogadishu and Lower Shabelle, resulting in the looting of a massive amount of weapons and the deaths of hundreds of Somali forces and members of the Ma’wisley militia.