Al-Shabaab's recent infiltration of Aden Adde International Airport the most secure site in Somalia exposed how deeply the jihadist group has embedded itself within the state. Wearing Somali National Army uniforms and aided by complicit insiders, Al-Shabaab militants not only breached a key security zone but also underlined a disturbing truth: the group’s influence has spread into the very heart of the government and society. Beyond traditional terrorism, Al-Shabaab now operates an extensive administrative infrastructure. From census databases and cadastral surveys to property taxation and education oversight, the group is systematising control under the guise of governance. Their growing influence over clan elders, educational institutions, ports, and even social media reflects a parallel authority that increasingly rivals if not surpasses the federal government.
For years, Mogadishu residents joked about having two governments daytime and nighttime. Today, that distinction has collapsed. Al-Shabaab now dominates both day and night, operating with more control, efficiency, and coherence than the Federal Government of Somalia. Once viewed as insurgents, Al-Shabaab has transformed into a governing force, collecting taxes, delivering services, and controlling territory. The group’s growing influence is not just on the battlefield. It has reportedly infiltrated the highest levels of government. The murder of Amina Mohamed a vocal critic of Fahad Yasin and Farmaajo—by Al-Shabaab has sparked speculation of a covert alliance between Villa Somalia and the militants. Critics and opposition figures are being systematically targeted, blurring the line between insurgency and governance. The attack on Mogadishu’s heavily fortified airport further underscores the deepening crisis. Despite tight security, two Al-Shabaab operatives breached the facility, killing six and revealing glaring lapses in national defense.