Over the past five years, AMISOM has placed significant military pressure on al-Shabaab, forcing the group out of its major southern-central Somalia strongholds. However, despite its force strength, AMISOM troops are thinly-stretched and are vulnerable to al-Shabaab attacks along major supply lines and in smaller bases. Such weaknesses compound the difficulties of consolidating territorial success at a time when AMISOM must navigate several new challenges.
Small police and civilian components leave AMISOM poorly configured to stabilise 'newly-liberated' areas taken from al-Shabaab.
The federal government's failure to deliver basic services to these areas compounds this weakness.
Al-Shabaab is increasing its activities in Puntland and elsewhere in the region, outside of AMISOM's geographical remit.
