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Comparison of the Secret Service of al-Shabaab, the Amniyat, and the National Intelligence and Security Agency (Somalia)

Bibliographic Data

ID20184860
AuthorsGabor Sinko (0000-0002-6451-8701, Twitter (United States)), János Besenyő (0000-0001-7198-9328, Twitter (United States))
Year2023
Volume36
Issue1
Pages220-240
Publication date2023-01-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Intelligence and CounterIntelligence (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0885-0607 • E-ISSN: 1521-0561
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/08850607.2021.1987143
OpenAlexW3215161068
LanguageEN
Citations received6

This is a comparative analysis of the secret service of al-Shabaab, the Amniyat, and the Somali government’s security unit, the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA). It begins with the short history of al-Shabaab as an introduction to understand the roots of the movement and how the resurgence of the group is tied to the effective management of the Amniyat. Then it analyzes the capabilities and capacities of the intelligence apparatuses of al-Shabaab and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), highlighting the similarities and differences between the organizations. Viewed from the perspective of the local population, the terrorist group provides security and predictability for individuals living under its control, gained local respect for managing its forces, and uses its secret service, the Amniyat, effectively. NISA suffers from the same problems as its predecessor in the Siad Barre regime, such as lack of transparency, overpoliticization, and involvement in illegal activities. Furthermore, there is lack of cooperation and transparency between local intelligence services and police forces. While the FGS realized the importance of doing away with clan-based security systems, the dominance of clans is still constantly increasing at the expense of the government. Today, al-Shabaab’s intelligence capacities and capabilities are more advanced than those of the NISA, hence the centralization and unification of the security architecture is of chief importance

Business · Computer security · National security · Political science · Social science · Sociology · United States National Security Agency · Computer Science · Global Peace and Security Dynamics · Intelligence, Security, War Strategy · International Law and Human Rights · Law · Public Administration

  • The challenges of rebuilding Somalia’s security forces

    Open Access•Gabor Sinko, Scott N Romaniuk et al.•African Security Review•2026

  • Analyzing the evolution of the threat al-Shabaab poses to Kenya post-Westgate attack period

    Open Access•Gabor Sinko, János Besenyő•Cogent Social Sciences•2024

  • Comparative intelligence operations of nonstate armed groups

    Dina Al Raffie•Intelligence & National Security•2025

  • The evolution of the Al-Shabaab jihadist intelligence structure

    Zakarie Ahmed nor Kheyre•Intelligence & National Security•2022

  • Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram beyond Face Value Political Rhetoric and Why the Governments of Somalia and Nigeria Have Failed to Tame Them

    Open Access•Nsama Jonathan Simuziya•The World of the Orient•2024

  • Bio/Necropolitical Capture and Evasion on Africa-Europe Migrant Journeys

    Open Access•Özgün E Topak•International Political Sociology•2024

Unique citing works6
Citations per year1,5
Citation span2022 - 2026 (5)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 6
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