I am pleased to chair this hearing of the African Affairs Subcommittee on security and governance in Somalia. Despite the government shutdown, it is critical that we fulfill our constitutional duty – in a bipartisan manner – to examine pressing national security issues. We need all the tools at our disposal to implement a strong foreign policy, and the shutdown has limited our ability to execute effective diplomacy, provide assistance, and analyze intelligence in the Horn of Africa and elsewhere. As we help Somalia chart a course that may lead to a more stable and secure future, it is helpful to provide a strong example of functioning democracy that we can be proud of here at home.
I would like to welcome Ranking Member Flake and other members of the Committee, as well as our distinguished witnesses: Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield; Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Africa, Amanda Dory; USAID Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, Nancy Lindborg; Andre Le Sage, Senior Research Fellow for Africa at the National Defense University’s Institute for National Strategic Studies; Abdi Aynte, founder and executive director of the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies in Mogadishu; and EJ Hogendoorn, Deputy Director for Africa at the International Crisis Group.
This hearing comes almost exactly two decades after the Battle of Mogadishu, in which 18 Americans were killed defending U.S. interests and providing vital humanitarian aid to Somalia. Following the U.S. withdrawal from Somalia and after twenty years of lawlessness, recent developments have finally given us reason for hope. Progress is due in large part to the security gains made by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) consisting of Kenyan, Ugandan, Burundian and other African national troops, in coordination with the Ethiopian military. AMISOM has deprived al-Shabaab of territory and revenue, creating much needed space to begin building functioning state structures. This stability has allowed Somalia to form a constituent assembly and elect a new government, which was officially recognized by the U.S. last year.
While much progress has been made, significant challenges remain. The Somali people are increasingly frustrated with the government’s failure to provide basic services – such as education and health care – and the humanitarian situation remains severe. This year, there were more than 2.3 million Somalis without adequate access to food and more than 160 confirmed cases of polio. Recognizing that these matters cannot be addressed without a functioning state, the Somali people are impatient with the central government’s lack of leadership on the key task of forming federal states, as required by the provisional constitution. The government now has just 36 months for the Somali government to complete a constitution, conduct a constitutional referendum, and hold national elections.
Increased security has provided the foundation for stability and governance, but as the horrific attack in Kenya two weeks ago demonstrates, al-Shabaab still has the space to operate within and beyond Somalia’s borders. The unconscionable targeting of innocent civilians by al-Shabaab requires our attention and resources, as we consider what it means for Somalia, American interests in the Horn, and our allies in the region. This is why Senator Flake and I will soon introduce a resolution condemning the Westgate tragedy and reaffirming U.S. support for regional efforts to counter extremism and combat terror.
This hearing is an opportunity to consider how U.S. support can help Somalis build on gains made in security and governance, while helping them confront the many challenges that remain. Since 2006, the U.S. has provided nearly $700 million to AMISOM and the Somali National Army in its efforts to combat al-Shabaab. This is in addition to the nearly $140 million in the past two years to support stabilization, democracy and economic growth. Despite these considerable investments, I am concerned our strategy has not kept pace with changing realities on the ground, particularly the need for stronger governance, and I intend to introduce legislation requiring the Administration to present its Somalia strategy to Congress with clear benchmarks for measuring progress and a timeline for implementation.
I am especially pleased to welcome Assistant Secretary Thomas-Greenfield for her first hearing before our committee since being confirmed to her post, and express our profound gratitude to Mr. Aynte for traveling from Mogadishu to be with us today.