For nearly two decades, Somalia has remained entangled in conflict and crisis. Since the U.S.-backed Ethiopian invasion in 2006, conditions in the country have steadily deteriorated, driven by a combination of persistent insecurity, weak governance, and the expanding influence of non-state groups like al-Shabaab. These dynamics have contributed to what many consider to be the worst humanitarian crisis in Africa’s modern history.
Despite ongoing U.S. engagement, primarily through military and counterterrorism operations, there have been few sustained or transformative gains. Since 2007, U.S. policy in Somalia has centered on a military-first approach, with limited focus on long-term political stability or state-building. This trend has only intensified in recent years: since 2020, the U.S. has conducted more than more than 250 strikes in Somalia, more than 80% of which have occurred during the second Trump administration.
The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) is a national nonpartisan Quaker organization that lobbies Congress for peace, justice, and environmental stewardship. We seek a world free of war and the threat of war, conducting research, analysis, education, and advocacy to address the root causes of violence and injustice. In this spirit, FCNL has developed a series of recommendations and accompanying issue briefs informed by expert interviews with individuals from the Somali diaspora, former government officials, and broader civil society advocates.
If the United States is going to continue engaging in Somalia—as it should, given the U.S. role in the country’s instability—we recommend three core steps for members of Congress to take in order to fundamentally reimagine U.S. policy and steer the country toward a path of sustainable peace and security.
Issue Brief #1: Oppose Continued Militarized Counterterrorism and Conduct Robust Oversight
Prolonged military-first approaches have failed to deliver sustainable peace or reduce long-term instability in Somalia. CONGRESS MUST oppose the continued reliance on U.S. military operations and instead exercise meaningful oversight of the unintended harms these operations may cause to Somali civilians and civil society.
Issue Brief #2: Support Strengthening Governance
Lasting peace in Somalia requires a shift toward policies that invest in governance and state-building. To reduce Somalia’s reliance on foreign military support, CONGRESS SHOULD urge the administration to prioritize diplomatic engagement and assistance that strengthens Somali institutions and promotes inclusive political processes.
Issue Brief #3: Support Long-term, Locally Led Development and Humanitarian Solutions
Moving away from militarized engagement must not mean disengagement. The U.S. should increase support for economic, humanitarian, and peacebuilding assistance in Somalia while ensuring that programs are locally driven and centered on Somali leadership and priorities.
