ETHICAL CHALLENGES FACED BY AMISOM IN IMPLEMENTING AI-DRIVEN COUNTER-TERRORISM STRATEGIES IN SOMALIA

The deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven counter-terrorism strategies by AMISOM in Somalia presents both opportunities and profound ethical challenges that threaten mission legitimacy and operational effectiveness. While AI enhances surveillance, intelligence gathering, and civilian protection, its use has raised concerns over privacy violations, algorithmic bias, accountability gaps, and lack of transparency. Reports indicate that approximately 78% of AI-powered surveillance systems in conflict zones face ethical violations, including discriminatory targeting and mass surveillance, compounded by Somalia’s limited regulatory frameworks and weak oversight mechanisms. This study examined these ethical challenges within AMISOM operations in Southern Somalia and Mogadishu, guided by Military Innovation Theory, which explains how militaries adapt to evolving threats. An exploratory research design was adopted, employing stratified and purposive sampling to select 55 participants across AMISOM personnel, policymakers, AI experts, Somali officials, and local communities. Data were collected through online questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis, and analyzed using SPSS for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative insights. Key challenges identified included privacy violations (61.9%), bias and discrimination (27%), accountability deficits (18%), transparency issues (15%), human rights violations (12%), and consent challenges (8%). Mitigation strategies involved training (61.9%), development of ethical guidelines (45%), oversight mechanisms (32%), community engagement (28%), and independent reviews (22%). Although 50.79% of respondents found current measures adequate, persistent concerns about transparency and implementation consistency remain. The study concludes that ethical challenges are central to AI deployment in counter-terrorism, and without robust ethical frameworks, technological advancement undermines both effectiveness and legitimacy. It recommends that AMISOM adopt context-specific ethical frameworks, enhance AI ethics training, strengthen accountability systems, prioritize community engagement, and foster international collaboration to establish standardized ethical guidelines for peacekeeping operations. Key Words: AI-driven counter-terrorism, AMISOM, ethical challenges, Somalia, privacy rights, algorithmic bias, human rights, International Humanitarian Law, surveillance systems, accountability