Somalia: New port shows improving maritime security
Construction of the new Garacad port in 2020 (Source: Garacad Seaport Twitter)
23 November 2022
In recent years, Somalia's east coast has seen substantial improvements in maritime security. However, the security situation on land remains challenging, particularly in the capital, Mogadishu. In addition, the government is attempting to halt the flow of funding to the militant group al-Shabab.
By Dr. Guy Wilson-Roberts, Head of Intelligence Analysis
A decade ago, Somalia’s east coast north of Mogadishu to the tip of Puntland was used to launch numerous pirate raids targeting merchant ships in the Somali Basin and to hold hijacked vessels just offshore while ransoms were secured. That Somalia has been able to open a new port facility at Garacad this year shows the significant improvement in maritime security that has taken place in this area. The port intends to relieve congestion at other Somali ports and hopes to also open up central areas of the country – including through links to Ethiopia – to increase exports.
On land, however, the security situation is more challenging. The government under the new president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in August launched a new military offensive against militant group al-Shabab. The government seems intent on dealing with the al-Shabab threat decisively but is also mindful of the pressure it is under to provide better security in Somalia as African Union forces plan to withdraw from the country. Alongside military operations in the countryside, the Somali government is also trying to stem the flow of funding to al-Shabab by limiting the informal ‘taxes’ that the group extorts from businesses – including in Mogadishu.
But al-Shabab remains resilient. In October this year it carried out a massive improved explosive device (IED) attack in central Mogadishu, killing over 100 people. IED attacks in the capital have increased in number since the start of the government’s offensive. It is also not clear that the measures to restrict al-Shabab funding will be successful. Providing basic security for day-to-day business operations has yet to be achieved. Nonetheless, Somalia – including the regional governments in Puntland and Somaliland – is pushing ahead with a new maritime agenda.
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