The US in Somalia: A question of state sovereignty
On the 1st of August, the United States (US) carried out airstrikes in Somalia against the extremist militant group, al-Shabaab (meaning 'The Youth'). This strike is the third instance of use of force by the Biden administration in two weeks against the insurgents. A previous drone strike was executed on 23rd of July 2021, in continuation of the US commitment to stopping the militant group, which emerged in the early 2000s and is known to have ties with Al-Qaeda. Cindi King, spokeswoman from the Pentagon, stated that the 23rd July strike was carried out in response to an attack on an American-trained Somali commando force, near the town of Galkayo in northern Somalia. The report also alleges that no lives were lost, although details of the operation were not provided. Despite the fact that these events are glossed over by the international community, it raises the continuous discussion of how effective and legal the US interventions in Somalia are.
WHY IS THE US IN SOMALIA?
Somalia has been plagued by conflict for decades due to political upheavals and outside interference.The US has had a presence in Somalia since 2001, although it has not always publicly acknowledged this. Its involvement in the east African country began after the September 11 attacks which prompted the US to pursue the terrorist group Al-Qaeda which the US believed had ties in the country. In 2006 the US backed an Ethiopia invasion of Somalia. The invasion aimed to oust the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), an Ismalmic political organisation that had seized control of southern Somalia. With the primary aim of eradicating all safe spaces for Al-Qaeda to thrive in Somalia, the US saw the ICU as a radicalised Islamic government that should be dismantled. Consequently the Ethiopian invasion successfully forced the ICU out of state capital Mogadishu. The dissolution of the ICU led to some of its members and alienated Somali citizens to join the insurgent group al-Shabaab. Since then, the US and Somalia’s military forces have been fighting a counter-terrisom mission aimed at eradicating Al-shabaab. Although the US bases their intervention on grounds of necessity, their incessant use of unregulated force in the territorial boundaries of a sovereign nation in a non-international armed conflict, goes against one of the primary foundations of international law.
THE PRINCIPLE OF STATE SOVEREIGNTY
A state is defined by the Montevideo Convention as having; a permanent population, a defined territory, a government and capacity to enter into relations with other countries. As a State, therefore, Somalia is entitled to its territorial sovereignty, which means She ought to control everything within her borders without external influence or interference. The United Nations has reemphasized this principle by insisting that other countries should not interfere with Somali affairs, as it most definitely will jeopardize the political independence of the country. The US however claims its intention in Somalia is solely a “rescue” mission (similar excuse used to invade countries in the middle-east), but their ability to carry out unrestricted drone strikes within the country not only diminishes the government’s political control of its borders, but also is a total disregard of international law. It is also important to note that the use of drones in an armed conflict falls within gray areas of international law, with rising concerns about their devastating effects.
WHY IS STATE SOVEREIGNTY IMPORTANT?
The lack of transparency from the US government fuels outcries of breach of rules of war. The presence of the US military has devastating effects in Somalia, with reported rising civilian casualties. A 2017 investigation by Amnesty International revealed a minimum of 14 civilian deaths and a minimum of 8 civilian injuries resulting from only five out of the more than 100 airstrikes in the beginning of 2017. In 2020, however, the cumulative estimated number of casualties is 97, amongst them 13 children. The US government has rejected these numbers, and the Somali government is unable to investigate civilian casualties because the military lacks the resources to complete these investigations. With the inability of the Somali government to have absolute power and authority within its territory, it is unable to develop practicable solutions that can end the decade long conflict without outside influence. The continuous drone-attacks of the US also alienates the larger part of the Somali population, which contributes to the strength of al-Shabaab. The presence of the US in Somalia, rather than acting as a balm, diminishes the political independence of the Somali government, and also fuels the ongoing instability in the country.