The International Crisis Group (ICG) has released a new report calling on the administration of United States President Donald Trump to overhaul Washington’s approach toward Somalia by shifting from a military-heavy strategy to one that prioritizes governance, political reform, and institution-building.
Titled “Retooling the Trump Administration’s Somalia Policy,” the report argues that years of U.S. reliance on drone strikes and support for the elite “Danab” commando unit have failed to produce lasting stability. Instead, the think tank warns, this narrow security-first approach has weakened Somalia’s fragile federal government and created security vacuums that al-Shabaab has exploited to expand its influence.
Crisis Group recommends a comprehensive strategy that integrates security assistance with political, developmental, and institutional reforms. It urges Washington to strengthen local governance, empower federal member states, and support Somali civil society and independent media to foster national cohesion and legitimacy. The report also stresses the need for balanced pressure and incentives for reform, as well as closer coordination with regional partners — including the African Union and neighboring countries — to prevent Somalia from becoming an arena for international rivalries.
The Brussels-based organization cautions that a continued overreliance on military tools could backfire by fueling corruption, weakening public trust, and deepening socio-economic grievances that enable extremist recruitment. It concludes that the United States should redefine success in Somalia not as the military defeat of al-Shabaab alone, but as the creation of a viable and stable Somali state capable of sustaining peace, governance, and cooperation across the Horn of Africa.
