Somalia's humanitarian crisis is inseparable from three decades of state collapse, clan-based conflict, and the rise of violent extremism. Since the fall of the Siad Barre regime in 1991, Somalia has lacked a fully functional central government capable of providing security, services, or governance across its territory. While the Federal Government of Somalia, established through UN-backed processes, has gradually expanded its authority from Mogadishu, large swathes of south-central Somalia remain contested or controlled by Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated insurgent group. The autonomous regions of Somaliland and Puntland operate with varying degrees of independence, further complicating the political landscape.
Al-Shabaab remains the primary driver of insecurity and one of the most significant obstacles to humanitarian access and development in Somalia. The group controls rural areas across south-central Somalia, imposing its own system of governance, taxation, and justice. It conducts regular attacks against government installations, African Union peacekeepers, and civilian targets, including devastating vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks in Mogadishu and other cities. The October 2022 bombings in Mogadishu killed over 120 people, highlighting the group's continued capacity for mass-casualty attacks. Government military offensives, supported by clan militias and international partners, have achieved territorial gains but have not eliminated Al-Shabaab's capacity to operate.