The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) armed forces consist of the Somali National Army (SNA), the Special Forces, the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) and The Somali Police Force (SPF) [Actors, 2.4., pp. 37-42].
For additional information concerning the role and capacity of the different actors, see Security 2023, 1.3.3., pp. 31-34.
The FGS made significant progress in controlling larger parts of Somalia’s territory since 2010, when it controlled only a small district in Mogadishu [Actors, 2.2., p. 25]. The joint offensive of allied forces launched in August 2022 managed to recover territory from Al-Shabaab by November 2022, notably in the Hiraan and Middle Shabelle regions. FGS forces’ operations reportedly became ‘more surgical and tactical’ in nature, however, they still lack the capability to hold onto captured territory. [Security 2023, 2.2.1., p. 82]
FGS armed forces reportedly committed a wide range of human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions, (conflict-related) sexual violence as well as grave violations against children. [Actors, 2.4.6., pp. 43-44]
For further analysis and guidance in relation to human rights violations committed by FGS forces and their relevance as potential exclusion grounds, see chapter 7. Exclusion.
2.2.2. Federal Member States (FMS) forces and Somaliland forces
Jubbaland security forces consist of the Jubbaland State Police, the Jubbaland Intelligence and Security Agency and the Jubbaland Darwish, acting as ‘special police’. The Jubbaland state forces number around 5 000 individuals and are supported by Kenya. Licit and illicit taxation in and around Kismayo has been used as a source of funding the Jubbaland State forces. [ActorsActors, 7.1.2., pp. 78-79]
South-West security forces consist of the South-West State Police, numbering around 824 officers and 12 US-trained investigators and of the ‘special police’ or Darwish forces numbering around 2 900 fighters. The South-West State Police is an official entity formally recognised under Somalia’s security architecture. International human rights training and international payments of salaries tied to human rights performance have led to a decrease of human rights violations by the South-West State Police. [Actors, 7.2.2., pp. 84-85]
The region of Benadir covers the same area as the capital Mogadishu. It is nominally controlled by the FGS security institutions. For more information on the Federal security forces and on their human rights conduct, see section 2.2.1. Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) forces.
Hirshabelle security forces include the Darwish and the state Police. [Actors, 7.4.1., pp. 93-94]
Galmudug security forces include the Darwish and the State Police [Actors, 7.5.2., p. 99]. [Actors, 7.5.1., p. 98]
Galmudug is described as ‘the most dysfunctional state in the federation’. Numerous actors with considerable sway over the various parts of the state compete for power, including Ahlu Sunna Wal-Jama’ah (ASWJ), an armed Sufi group involved in violent armed clashes with the SNA in September and October 2021 and in May 2022. Operations by the SNA and government-backed militias against Al-Shabaab resulted in territorial gains for the Somali government in the Galgaduud region [Security 2023, 2.5.1., p. 139-141].
Puntland’s armed forces (PSF) comprise the State Police (PSP), the Darwish or ‘Special police’, the Intelligence and Security Agency (PISA) and the Maritime Police (PMP). The Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), funded by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the PSF, set up by the US as a separate private auxiliary group also operate in Puntland, even though outside of Somalia’s constitution and security architecture. Puntland is reportedly ‘the most stable and most developed state in the union’ [Actors, 7.6., p. 101; 7.6.1, p. 102; 7.6.2, pp. 105-106; Security 2023, 1.1., p. 18; 1.2., p. 22].
At different degrees, UNSG has attributed to the FMS security forces human rights violations, such as arbitrary arrests and torture of civilians, especially journalists, human rights defenders, persons allegedly suspected of terrorism, assassinations, the issuance of death sentences, the execution of a death sentence, conflict-related sexual violence, violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, child recruitment, killing or maiming of children, rape and sexual violence against children, child abduction, attacks on school and hospitals and denial of humanitarian aid access. [Actors, 7.1.5., pp. 81‑82; 7.2.5., p. 87; 7.5.5., p. 101; 7.6.5., pp. 107-108; 7.7.5., p. 116]
Somaliland security forces comprise the National Intelligence Service (NIS), which relies on formal and informal intelligence networks and includes army and police intelligence officers; the Somaliland Police, a force of under 6 000 men and women receiving training and aid from the UK and made up of the Special Police Unit (SPU) and the Rapid Responses Units (RRU); the Somaliland National Armed Forces, comprising the army and the navy, with a total estimated force of between 8 000 and 15 000 soldiers, receiving military training and aid from the UK and the EU as well as the UAE; and the Somali Coast Guard, also supported by the EU and the UK. [Actors, 7.7.2., p. 112] Tensions between the FGS and Somaliland were reported over the State’s political status and international recognition, talks about which have stalled for years [Security 2023, 1.2., p. 24].
For further analysis and guidance in relation to human rights violations committed by FMS forces or Somaliland forces and their relevance as potential exclusion grounds, see chapter 7. Exclusion.
