On Friday 02 August, 2024, the tranquil Lido Beach, once a rare haven of respite in Somalia, was marred by a catastrophic attack that claimed over 40 lives and left more than 212 others wounded. This incident, the deadliest in the Horn of Africa since the twin car bombings of October 2022, transformed a place of solace into a grim tableau of violence and despair. As hospitals in Mogadishu grappled with the influx of casualties, the government’s response to this tragedy has been woefully inadequate, spotlighting profound failures in its ability to safeguard its citizens.
Three days later, on monday 5 August, the HSM government organized a protest at Lido Beach, ostensibly to demonstrate solidarity against extremism and condemn the perpetrators. Attended by bunch of ministers, the Governor of Banadir and the Chairman of the Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), parliamentarians and numerous civilians, this protest appears to be a superficial gesture rather than a substantive response to the crisis. The government’s orchestration of this event seems more like an attempt to mollify public outrage than a genuine effort to address the underlying security failures that allowed such an attack to occur.
Compounding the situation, the government’s appeal for public donations to support the victims—highlighted by a SoDMA image listing various bank accounts—reveals a troubling disconnect from the financial realities of ordinary citizens. This request is particularly irksome given the substantial salaries and benefits enjoyed by government officials. With 329 MPs and Senators, along with over 60 cabinet members, each earning approximately $5,000 monthly and top officials, including the President [Hassan Sheikh Mohamud] and Prime Minister [Hamza Abdi Barre], receiving significant financial perks, the irony of asking for public contributions while officials remain conspicuously absent from the donation campaign is stark.
The attack at Lido Beach and the ensuing governmental response underscore a critical failure to protect Somali citizens. The government’s reliance on symbolic gestures rather than concrete, effective measures to enhance security and prevent future tragedies is inadequate. The Somali people are not asking for empty promises but for real, actionable steps that ensure their safety and security.
This tragedy should serve as a clarion call for the Somali government to move beyond rhetoric and implement meaningful reforms. It is time for the authorities to demonstrate their commitment to protecting the public by addressing the root causes of such violence and fortifying the nation’s security infrastructure. The people of Somalia deserve more than hollow displays of solidarity; they deserve decisive, impactful action that will truly safeguard their lives and ensure a more secure future.
By 𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆, Pundit and Security Expert (HoA) Sadia Elmi, Former Director of policy and oversight now Political Analyst.