Does Somaliland Provide State Building Lessons for Somalia?

The Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies published in November 2014 a study titled "Thinking beyond Roadmaps in Somalia: Expanding Policy Options for State Building" by Dominik Balthasar, researcher, policy analyst, and international development consultant.

Balthasar concludes that Somaliland's experience provides useful insights for Somalia's state-building endeavor.  He suggests international policymakers and their local partners in Somalia might benefit from taking a close look at Somaliland's state building, which followed an unconventional path compared with approaches in Somalia.  Balthasar encourages Somalis and their international partners to think more flexibly and creatively about the way ahead. 

Political Infighting in Somalia

The Mogadishu-based Heritage Institute for Policy Studies published in December 2013 an analysis titled "The Consequences of Political Infighting."  It analyzes the rift between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon.  Click here for a translation in Somali.

Somali Power Sharing Fails Argues Analyst

Foreign Policy in Focus published on 26 November 2013 a brief commentary titled "Somalia's Failure: A Broken System or Lousy Leaders?" by Nafisa G. Santur, a conflict analyst based in Nairobi.  Santur describes the widening rift between President Hassan Shekih Mohamud and Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, arguing that many Somalis have lost faith in their leaders' ability to unite the nation.  Santur concludes that Somali constitutional experts should amend the constitution by eliminating the power sharing system and creating a political party system in which a president and vice president from the same party are elected on the same platform. 

Somali Federal Government after 100 Days

The Mogadishu-based The Heritage Institute for Policy Studies issued in March 2013 an analysis titled "Reviewing the Somali Government's First 100 Days: A Scorecard."  This frank and critical review acknowledged that the Somali Federal Government (SFG) is on the right trajectory but found a mixed record characterized by a jarring imbalance between foreign and domestic policy priorities, slow response to economic and political crises, and an unhealthy imbalance between the presidency and the cabinet. 

New Government in Somalia

Andrews Atta-Asamoah, senior researcher with the Institute for Security Studies, did a brief analysis of the new government in Somalia. While he was positive about the new team, he noted that it faces daunting odds. With adequate resolve, however, he thought it could make a difference.

Click here to read the analysis.