What next? Somalia prepares to defend its territory when African Union troops leave

Aussom troop members during a recent operation in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Photo credit: Reuters

Somalia’s key authorities are engaging in soul-searching on the future of their security apparatus, even as they remained defiant that the country won’t collapse once African troops depart.

This week, top officials held the National Internal Security Conference in Mogadishu on September 1–2, to discuss transitioning full domestic security responsibilities to Somalia forces.