The leadership of Somalia have in recent years juggled different electoral postures that accounts for its ethnic, clan and geopolitical issues. In the end, though each of these political set-ups fray just before or soon after the election as is currently being witnessed through the 2020/2021 electoral cycle. As Pauline Otieno-Skaper, moderator Mr Peter Chonka, Mahad Wasuge of Somali Public Agenda, and Islamic Finance Expert Dr Issa elaborate, this may just prove to be the country's eternal posture of agility, dynamism, and deal-making. A partnership between Heinrich Boll Foundation and Rift Valley Institute.
The leadership of Somalia have in recent years juggled different electoral postures that accounts for its ethnic, clan and geopolitical issues. In the end, though each of these political set-ups fray just before or soon after the election as is currently being witnessed through the 2020/2021 electoral cycle. As Pauline Otieno-Skaper, moderator Mr Peter Chonka, Mahad Wasuge of Somali Public Agenda, and Islamic Finance Expert Dr Issa elaborate, this may just prove to be the country's eternal posture of agility, dynamism, and deal-making. A partnership between Heinrich Boll Foundation and Rift Valley Institute.
Thirty years after the civil war of 1991, Somalia has still not been able to develop a functional governance structure that delivers services to the people. Federalism has also not delivered political stability. Is it time for Somalia to break up into independent clan-based states?
America should move way from making the military the face of its engagement with Africa and instead invest in deepening democracy as a principled approach rather than a convenient choice.
For decades, Somalia regarded Kenya as a neutral arbiter, unlike Ethiopia, where long-standing resentments against Somalia have endured. Kenya’s military intervention in Somalia in 2011 and its meddling in the country’s internal affairs have ruined Kenya-Somalia relations and emboldened Al Shabaab.
Night-time raids, assassinations, muzzled reporting, and clandestine paramilitary unit have been the reality for dozens of Kenya's coastal residents since the 9/11 terror attack. As The elephant producer John Githongo and investigative reporter Namir Shabibi recall, 19 years since the 'War on Terror' began the terrain looks ever more precarious with heroes turning into villains, innocent people have paid the ultimate cost and the lines get blurred by the day.
The centrality of affordable, available, variety of food to the peace infrastructure of the horn of Africa cannot be underestimated. And as food expert Guled Ahmed clarifies the regional governments have to prioritize the political and economic aspects of food security to guarantee the stability of their respective nations.
The Westgate attack was a missed teachable moment in the country’s Western-funded counterterrorism campaign and Kenyan continue to pay the price for it.