The Economist, a leading international publication that previously described Somalia’s state-building project as “broken” and warned that Mogadishu risked falling to Al-Shabaab, has now published a new report acknowledging significant security improvements in the capital. The report, titled “Mogadishu no longer deserves its deadly reputation,” marks a major shift in the publication’s perspective, with data showing that Al-Shabaab attacks in Mogadishu have declined to unprecedented levels.
The new report is significant because it represents a major change in how a prominent international publication views Somalia’s capital, confirming what Somalis have long been saying: that the city is transforming and security is improving. The Economist’s data shows that Al-Shabaab attacks in the capital fell from 144 recorded in the third quarter of 2022 to just 5 in the second quarter of 2026.
The decline in attacks has been attributed to security measures including the expansion of CCTV cameras, electronic registration for vehicle checks, and the presence of intelligence officers who have been widely deployed. New construction is rapidly transforming Mogadishu, with the Dahab Tower a 26-storey building containing apartments, a mall, a gym and a mosque expected to open this year.
The report begins with an incident from six years ago, highlighting the story of a Mogadishu resident who ventured into the city center one night. The following night, a suicide attack at the same location killed seven civilians. That incident exemplified the security situation at the time, with Mogadishu residents living in constant fear that anywhere they went could become the next target.
The security shift is not only about fewer attacks; it also affects how people live in the city and how they experience safety. The Economist’s assessment shows that Mogadishu today is different from what it was just a few years ago. The decline in Al-Shabaab attacks, the revival of urban activity, and the improving sense of security all indicate that the capital is recovering from years of fear and violence.
However, the report’s central message is that while Mogadishu is moving away from its reputation as a city of death, maintaining the progress achieved and ensuring lasting security remain the biggest challenges ahead.
