Fri Dec 26 22:18:23 UTC 2025: ## Al-Shabab Remains Top Threat to Somalia and East Africa, UN Experts Warn
Mogadishu, Somalia – Despite ongoing efforts by Somali and international forces, al-Shabab continues to pose the most significant and immediate threat to stability in Somalia and the wider East African region, including Kenya, according to United Nations experts. The al-Qaeda-linked group maintains control over substantial territory in southern and central Somalia and regularly launches attacks targeting government, security forces, and civilian populations.
Over the past two decades, al-Shabab has expanded its reach, claiming responsibility for deadly attacks in neighboring countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Djibouti. This continued ability to strike, despite consistent counter-terrorism operations, raises questions about the effectiveness of the long-term fight against the group.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, experts offered their insights into the persistent challenge. Ismael Tahir, a research fellow at Hilin, a development and governance organization, along with Afyare Elmi, a research professor at City University of Mogadishu, and Abdullahi Halakhe, a Horn of Africa security analyst, highlighted the complex factors contributing to al-Shabab’s resilience. Their perspectives will be crucial in understanding why the fight against the group has proven so difficult and what strategies might prove more effective in the future. The ongoing threat underscores the need for renewed efforts and innovative approaches to combatting al-Shabab and securing lasting stability in the region.
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