Yusuf Sheikh Omar, PhD (Yusuf Yididiilo)

📘 Our Latest Publication The Heritage Institute for Policy Studies (HIPS) has published a new study, “Understanding the Dynamics of Somali Civil Society: Roles, Objectives, Effectiveness, and Accountability.” The report examines how Somalia’s social and political context, including the federal system, the 4.5 power-sharing formula, clan dynamics, and Islamic and traditional structures, has shaped the development and work of civil society. It also explores key challenges facing civil society organizations, including internal governance, leadership, coordination, dependence on external funding, and their role in promoting government accountability. The study offers recommendations for strengthening internal accountability, legitimacy, collaboration, and the relationship between civil society and government, including the establishment of a national umbrella body and a clearer legal framework for civil society organizations. 📖 Read the full report here English Version: bit.ly/4xLjxYb Somali Version: bit.ly/4cuzObO Arabic Version: bit.ly/3U6ZRzE #Somalia #CivilSociety #Accountability #Governance #Research #HeritageInstitute

📘 Our Latest Publication The Heritage Institute for Policy Studies (HIPS) has published a new study, “Understanding the Dynamics of Somali Civil Society: Roles, Objectives, Effectiveness, and Accountability.” The report examines how Somalia’s social and political context, including the federal system, the 4.5 power-sharing formula, clan dynamics, and Islamic and traditional structures, has shaped the development and work of civil society. It also explores key challenges facing civil society organizations, including internal governance, leadership, coordination, dependence on external funding, and their role in promoting government accountability. The study offers recommendations for strengthening internal accountability, legitimacy, collaboration, and the relationship between civil society and government, including the establishment of a national umbrella body and a clearer legal framework for civil society organizations. 📖 Read the full report here English Version: bit.ly/4xLjxYb Somali Version: bit.ly/4cuzObO Arabic Version: bit.ly/3U6ZRzE #Somalia #CivilSociety #Accountability #Governance #Research #HeritageInstitute

Another asymmetric way Iran could disrupt the global flows that make the 21st century economy, is hitting the undersea cables as the backbone of the regional flow of data For a regime that has little to lose, they are ways to further escalate should Trump think he has escalation dominance

A senior U.S. delegation visited Somaliland yesterday. The commander of U.S. Africa Command met with Somaliland's chief of staff. Somaliland officials said after the meeting that "control near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea would significantly change the U.S. approach to dealing with the Houthis and Iran." Somaliland expressed support for the U.S. and Israel using its territory against the Houthis. This comes a day after Israeli reports of concern that the Houthis may attempt to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. N12.

Didn’t read Matt Bryden’s “Somalia at Risk of Becoming a Jihadist State”? Here’s the TL;DR — (and what he’s really doing.) Bryden’s latest piece is a two-dozen-page “brief” in his signature style: open with al-Shabaab “at the gates,” narrate Somali history as one straight line to collapse, and close by insisting only external intervention can keep the fallout “manageable.” The themes never change: federalism is broken; the national government is the villain; Islamists lurk everywhere; donors are exhausted and abandoning; Somaliland deserves recognition; and any federal member state arguing with Mogadishu becomes a “responsible actor.” This isn’t new. It’s the latest entry in a 30-year pattern: • 1999 – Building Block Approach: praise Ethiopia, warn against a Somali central government. • 2003 – No Quick Fixes: downplay terrorism; call critics “alarmist.” • 2003 – Banana Test: argue Somaliland already meets recognition standards. • 2013 – Somalia Redux?: dismiss national progress as a “surreal bubble.” • 2021 – Fake Fight: claim the FGS was colluding with al-Shabaab. The new brief simply reheats the formula. What makes this brief even more revealing is Bryden’s fixation on Islam — in a country that is 100% Sunni Muslim and whose political actors remain united in fighting al-Shabaab and ISIS. Of course he knows religion and politics mix everywhere: Kenya’s evangelical blocs, Ethiopia’s Orthodox and Pentecostal actors, Europe’s Christian Democrats, and the decisive role of America’s Bible Belt states. Yet somehow, Muslim politicians in Somalia are “the threat.” This five-year fear cycle of “the barbarians are coming” is his franchise. Meanwhile, Somalia actually cooperates daily with Kenya, Ethiopia, the EU, UK, U.S., UAE, Qatar, and Türkiye on security, intelligence, aid, and counter-terrorism. Contrary to his script, the UK injected £30 million into Somalia’s security transition last month; the EU continues to fund AUSSOM; the U.S. conducts regular FGS requested strikes; and the successive government he pronounces “dead on arrival” lifted the arms embargo, secured multibillion-dollar debt relief, and — inconveniently for his framing — now Somalia sits on the UN Security Council. Meanwhile, Somalia has had six presidents since 2000, repeated peaceful transfers of power, and zero coups — outperforming most of the global South. Elections are messy, yes, and we’re entering that season again, but they remain peaceful and actors accept results. None of this fits his screenplay. Then comes the Hollywood section of his brief, where he weites: “al-Shabaab’s potential capture of Mogadishu need not foreshadow a total jihadist conquest… A Provisional Federal Government could be established in a secure interim capital…” And continues: “The balance of forces… between a Mogadishu-based al-Shabaab and a Provisional Federal Government in Baidoa… al-Shabaab’s access to port revenues would triple its income…” And! “Since the militants would stand to inherit most of the arms, equipment, and vehicles currently in the SNA’s possession, al Shabaab’s military capabilities would rapidly surge.” At this point, anyone still drinking from Bryden’s well should reconsider. And perhaps — being well beyond retirement age — he might sip his Kool-Aid quietly instead of splashing it across respected platforms. Finally Somalia gave Matt Bryden a lucrative 35-year career, and he repaid it with scorn. Still, we genuinely wish him long and health life — long enough to watch, year after year, the results of our hard work. Also, neither Soomaalinimo — our march toward a strong, peaceful state — nor Islaamnimo — our pride in our faith and our Prophet — is going anywhere. So, pal, dhexda dhuuqso (tighten your belt — you’ll need it). As for this attached video: that’s Stadium Mogadishu — and no, it does not look like a city al-Shabaab is about to “capture.” Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.

يُعد مفهوم الأصالة (Authenticity) من المفاهيم المركزية في المدرسة الوجودية، ويعبّر عن قدرة الإنسان على أن يعيش منسجماً مع ذاته الحقيقية بدل أن يكون انعكاساً لتوقعات الآخرين أو ضغوط المجتمع. الأصالة ليست مجرد سلوك صادق، بل حالة من الوعي العميق بالذات، يُدرك فيها الفرد قيمه، ويدرك مسؤوليته عن اختياراته، فيتصرّف وفق ما يراه صادقًا مع جوهره الداخلي. يرى جان بول سارتر أن الإنسان يُولد بلا ماهية محددة، وأن هويته تتشكل من خلال أفعاله، لذلك فإن الأصالة تتطلب وعياً حراً ومسؤولية كاملة عن هذه الأفعال. فحين يختبئ الفرد خلف الأعذار أو الأعراف، يعيش ما يسميه سارتر بـ"سوء النية" (Bad Faith)، أي أن يخدع نفسه بالاعتقاد أنه مجبر على ما يفعل، فيتخلى عن حريته الحقيقية. أما رولو ماي في علم النفس الوجودي فيرى أن الأصالة تعني القدرة على مواجهة القلق دون هروب، لأن القلق هو الثمن الطبيعي للحرية. فكل اختيار أصيل يرافقه خوف من الخطأ، لكن هذا الخوف دليل على الوعي والمسؤولية، لا على الضعف. يعيش الإنسان الأصيل توتراً دائماً بين ما هو كائن وما يمكن أن يكون، لكنه يختار أن يواجه هذا التوتر بشجاعة لا بزيف. في المقابل، الإنسان غير الأصيل هو من يعيش وفق ما يُملى عليه من الآخرين، ويتكيّف مع التوقعات الاجتماعية حتى يفقد ذاته تدريجياً. هذا النمط من الوجود يؤدي إلى ما يسميه هايدغر بـ"الوجود الزائف" (Inauthentic Being)، حيث يتحول الإنسان إلى نسخة متكررة من الآخرين، ويعيش كما “يعيش الناس” لا كما يريد هو أن يعيش. العيش بصدق مع الذات لا يعني الانعزال أو رفض المجتمع، بل يعني أن تكون القيم التي نعيش بها نابعة من قناعتنا لا من الخوف أو الإرضاء. الأصالة هي توازن بين الحرية الداخلية والمسؤولية الأخلاقية، بين أن أكون نفسي وأن أظل إنسانًا مرتبطًا بالعالم والآخرين. من منظور علاجي، تهدف المقاربة الوجودية إلى مساعدة الفرد على استعادة أصالته من خلال الوعي، والتحرر من الأدوار الزائفة، وتحمل نتائج قراراته بصدق. فكل لحظة يعيشها الإنسان بصدق مع ذاته، تُعد خطوة نحو حياة أكثر معنى وامتلاء.

Habdhowraha @Golaha_shac_JFS Nuux “Shirkadaha ardayda Tahriibiya waa in loola dagaalama sida Argagixisada Khawaariijta ah" #Mogadishu #Somalia 🇸🇴

In Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, hundreds of families have been left homeless by a surge of forced evictions. Residents say their homes were demolished, often without warning or the opportunity to challenge government-led actions

In Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, hundreds of families have been left homeless by a surge of forced evictions. Residents say their homes were demolished, often without warning or the opportunity to challenge government-led actions