Somalia’s security transition under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) echoes NATO’s experience in Afghanistan, raising concerns about long-term stability. The ATMIS mandate focuses on developing Somali forces and supporting “clear, hold, build” strategies, but history warns of the risks of oversimplifying security reform. In Afghanistan, attempts to create integrated national forces failed in a society where security is inherently local. Somalia faces similar challenges, with clan affiliations dominating politics and security structures. Special forces like Danab and Gorgor have achieved successes, but regular forces lack sustainability without foreign support. As ATMIS prepares to withdraw, experts suggest embracing local realities by formally integrating effective clan militias into Somalia’s security framework. These groups, such as the Ma’awiisley in Hiiraan and Galmudug, have shown strong motivation in fighting Al-Shabaab, driven by existential threats to their communities. A formal mechanism could link these militias to the federal and state governments, enabling rapid mobilization against extremists while reducing reliance on unsustainable national forces. Proper oversight would be essential to prevent inter-clan violence and misuse of arms. Learning from Afghanistan’s failures, Somalia’s security future may depend on blending formal structures with traditional, community-based defense systems.