Somalia’s Endless Cycle of Foreign Dependence: Time to Break Free from the T6 Trap – Abdi Aynte

Kampala, Uganda – Today marks a symbolic moment in Somalia’s long and troubled security saga. A high-level summit was convened in Kampala to reassess the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), previously known as AMISOM. The timing is notable: 18 years have passed since AU peacekeeping forces first landed in Somalia on March 31, 2007 — with a mandate meant to last just three years.

Since then, over 100,000 troops have been trained or rotated through Somalia. Billions of dollars have been spent on training, arming, and attempting to build a capable Somali military. Successive Somali governments have been supported by the international community with generous aid, political backing, and unwavering commitment.

The mission’s core objective was clear: to stabilize Somalia and help a fragile government stand on its feet, capable of securing its own territory and defeating Al-Shabaab. Yet, after nearly two decades, that goal remains elusive.

Every Somali president, near the end of their term, has echoed the same refrain: “Give me one more chance.” Each promises to rebuild the army, defeat the terrorists, and reduce foreign dependency. But those promises have been consistently broken.

As the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said: “A believer is not bitten from the same hole twice.” But Somalia has been bitten repeatedly — not by its enemies, but by its own leaders.

The bitter truth is this: over the past 18 years, Somalia’s political elite have become defined by what I call the T6 Syndrome — six core failings that have sabotaged national progress:

1. Tuugeysi – Plundering public resources
2. Toleysi – Clannish nepotism
3. Takrifal – Abuse of government power
4. Tuugsi – Constant foreign begging
5. Tayo xumo – Incompetent advisors
6. Tiir gaabni – Lack of strategic foresight

A leadership class plagued by T6 cannot build a national army or develop effective institutions. In fact, it is precisely this dysfunction that sustains extremist groups like Al-Shabaab. These groups don’t flourish because of their strength — they thrive on the weakness of the Somali state.

Somalis have a saying: “Gacan daahir ah ayaa wax daahirisa” — only a clean hand can cleanse. Expecting corrupt and visionless leaders to defeat Al-Shabaab is like expecting a drought-stricken land to produce a flood.

It is time to break the cycle. Somalia doesn’t need another summit, another strategy, or another delay. What it needs is bold leadership that breaks away from the T6 legacy and builds a new vision rooted in justice, national unity, and public trust.

This country has been trapped in a holding pattern for far too long. The time for decisive change is now.

About the Author:
Abdi Aynte is a former Minister of Planning and International Cooperation of the Federal Government of Somalia and co-founder of the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies. He is a vocal advocate for institutional reform, transparency, and long-term peacebuilding in Somalia.