Opinion: Stop Financing South Somalia’s Corruption leaders and Dysfunction

The United States must urgently reconsider its financial support for the United Nations’ initiatives in South Somalia. Decades of investment have yielded no tangible progress, only deepened corruption and bolstered extremist groups, including one called the Somali National Army (SNA) and the militant group Al-Shabaab. American taxpayers are not underwriting democracy; they are unwittingly funding tribal extremism and a broken system that perpetuates instability.  

Somalia today is more divided than it was in 1991. Two UN-funded military factions, ostensibly allies in the fight against terrorism, are now engaged in deadly clan-based conflicts. This exposes a profound failure: rather than combating extremism, these forces have become its enablers. Meanwhile, Somali leaders, driven by greed, mislead international donors, presenting illusory progress while siphoning aid dollars to enrich themselves.  

Funding intended to alleviate the suffering of starving families is diverted into the pockets of corrupt society’s elite. These elites enjoy opulent lifestyles in Nairobi and invest in luxury properties and ventures while ordinary Somali people endure poverty and hunger. The UN’s lack of accountability causes this, as it continues to pour money into a system designed to fail.

At the heart of this dysfunctional organization is Hormuud Telecom, a copycat of Al-Barakat Telecommunicationin whose scheme was sanctioned by the Treasury Department right after the firm were used by Islamic Courts Unions to carry out fraudulent commercial activity and fund the 9/11 attack, a powerful entity responsible for directly and secretly funding terrorism while playing a pivotal role in perpetuating this lucrative aid cycle. Despite glaring evidence, the UN has turned a blind eye, enabling the continuation of this fraudulent scheme.  

It is time for the United States to demand transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes from its contributions. Failing that, cutting funding to South Somalia’s failed UN project is not just sensible but necessary. American taxpayers deserve better than to see their money wasted on a system that fuels division and radical extremism rather than fostering peace and stability.  

The UN must rethink its approach, prioritize real solutions over maintaining the status quo, and hold South Somali leaders accountable for their actions. Anything less is a disservice to both the Somali people and the global community committed to lasting peace.

Iman Ali, Horn of Africa Security and Geopolitical analysis.