Somali Diaspora in Africa and Giving Back to Somalia

 The August 2026 issue of Africa Spectrum includes an "Introduction to the Special Issue: Giving in Somali Diaspora Humanitarianism in Africa" by Nauja Kleist and Mark Bardbury.

The articles in this special issue of Africa Spectrum demonstrate that Somali diaspora humanitarian engagement is continuously evolving and comes in many forms.  It is influenced by gender, generation, educational background, and socio-economic circumstances.  

The issue is unique in that it focuses on the Somali diaspora in a number of African countries and not the diaspora in North America or Europe.  

Somali Public Opinion on Somalia's Political Future

 The Somali Public Agenda and Somali Dialogue Platform published in July 2026 a study titled "Navigating Political Transition: Citizens' Views on Elections, Legitimacy, and Governance in Somalia."

This study addresses how citizens understand democratic principles, electoral legitimacy, political mediation, and government accountability by means of a May-June 2026 public opinion poll conducted across Mogadishu and five Federal Member State capitals, reaching 928 respondents.  

The analysis examines which democratic principles citizens prioritize, which actors they trust to mediate political disputes, which institutions they trust to manage or oversee elections, and which issues they want political leaders to communicate about more openly.

The findings show that citizens express strong support for democratic reform in principle, but their preferences become more complex when democratic goals are weighed against peace, stability, term limits, press freedom, and public participation.

UN Report on Hallmarks of Genocide in Sudan

 The UN Human Rights Council published on 8 July 2026 a 26-page report titled "Information Supplementing the Report 'Sudan: Hallmarks of Genocide in El Fasher'."

This report provides detailed references not included in the initial 19 February 2026 report and additional information that the UN Human Rights Council gathered following continued investigations since the publication of the original report.  

It also helps develop the legal basis for the conclusions that were drawn in the original report, that the mass killings and related atrocities committed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in and around El Fasher were indicators of a genocidal path.

The Role of Masculinity and the Al-Shabaab Challenge

 The Royal United Services Institute published on 18 June 2026 a study titled "Masculinities and Violence in the Horn of Africa Borderlands" by Christopher Hockey and Claudia Wallner.

This paper reveals how masculinity norms fuel conflict, violent extremism, and gender-based violence in the Kenya-Somalia-Ethiopia borderlands, shaping al-Shabaab's recruitment and deepening insecurity.  It is based on interviews with experts and community members in two communities: one at the tripoint where Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia meet and the other at the Kenya-Somalia border on the Indian Ocean coastline.

It offers actionable recommendations for defense and security practitioners to address these interconnected challenges.  

Instability in the Kenya--Somalia-Ethiopia Borderlands

 The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies published on 15 April 2026 a paper titled "Instability in the Kenya-Somalia-Ethiopia Borderlands" by Christopher Hockey, Timothy Kimaiyo, and Martine Zeuthen.  

The paper provides critical insights into the complex dynamics of instability in the Kenya-Somalia-Ethiopia borderlands.  It highlights the interconnected challenges of violent extremism, gender-based violence, ethnic tensions, political instability and resource pressures, offering practical recommendations for future interventions.

Female Tigray War Veterans Fear Being Left Behind

 World Politics Review published on 28 August 2025 a commentary titled "In Post-War Ethiopia, Tigray's Female Veterans Fear Being Left Behind" by Mehret Berhe and Hilary Matfess.

Women comprised 20 to 30 percent of the Tigrayan Defense Forces during the recent civil war.  Female veterans are concerned that they will not receive help in reintegrating into civilian life while victims of sexual violence doubt the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

Marco Rubio Shuts Down State Department's Soft Power Programs

 MSNBC posted on 23 April 2025 a commentary titled "Marco Rubio Is Taking a Chainsaw to America's Soft Power" by Zeeshan Aleem.  

As Secretary of State Marco Rubio implements the Trump administration's America First policy, he is eliminating traditional soft power programs in the State Department for promoting human rights, democracy, and the empowerment of women.  The Trump administration is signaling that it increasingly intends to use the threat of force instead of diplomacy to achieve its foreign policy goals.  

The Implications of a USAID Shutdown

 Brookings published on 4 February 2025 a series of essays titled "Implications of a USAID Shutdown."

This is a series of short essays by a variety of experts on how the Trump administration's dismantling of USAID will impact US foreign policy.  The introduction, written several days ago, suggests the administration may be walking back the dismantlement.  More recent information suggests this is not the case.  On the contrary, it appears to be stepping up the disintegration of the organization.  

US Declaration of Genocide in Sudan Not Reversible

 The US Institute of Peace posted on 23 January 2025 a two-minute video clip titled "U.S. Declares Genocide in Sudan: What Does It Mean for Peace?" with former US special envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello.  

The US government concluded that Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) committed acts of genocide.  This designation permanently delegitimizes the RSF and its leadership.  The designation is not reversible.  

China-Africa Ties after 9th FOCAC

 Boston University's Global Development Policy Center posted on 15 October 2024 an analysis titled "Back in Action: The Ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Sees Renewed Relations and Development Prospects" by Tianyi Wu.  

This is an analysis of the recently completed 9th FOCAC held in Beijing.  This iteration of FOCAC suggested that China seeks to adjust its approach to Africa by forging strategic partnerships, compartmentalizing financial tools for development projects, and aligning its engagement with regional multilateral initiatives.

Sexual Violence in Sudan

 Human Rights Watch published on 28 July 2024 a report titled "Khartoum Is Not Safe for Women! Sexual Violence against Women and Girls in Sudan's Capital."

The warring military factions in Sudan, especially the Rapid Support Forces, have committed widespread acts of sexual violence in areas of Khartoum over which they exercise control.  These acts constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.  Human Rights Watch calls on the African Union and United Nations to deploy a civilian protection force in Sudan's capital.  

State Building in a Somali Region: Galmudug

 The Heritage Institute published in March 2024 a study titled "Galmudug: Governance, State Formation, Conflict Dynamics, and Reconciliation" by Yusuf Sheikh Omar and Ahmed Barre.

The study investigates factors shaping the processes of state formation in Galmudug such as clan politics, economic considerations, conflict dynamics, governance, elections, the condition of internally displaced persons, peace, and reconciliation processes.  

Ethiopia: Chinese Imports Potentially Reduce Female Employment

The Conversation published on 11 January 2024 a commentary titled "Chinese Imports Could Undermine Ethiopian Manufacturing- Leaving Women Workers Worst Off" by Sylvanus Kwaku Afesorgbor, University of Guelph, Ruby Acquah, University of Sussex, and Yohannes Ayele, University of Sussex.

China is the largest source of imports for Ethiopia, including inexpensive manufactured goods.  Lessons from Ethiopia suggest that cheap imports from China reduce the ability of local manufacturing firms to compete.  This, in turn, results in layoffs and lower wages.  The authors conclude that women are the first to be laid off work, but import competition also results in lower wages for men.

Transitional Justice in Somalia

 The Heritage Institute for Policy Studies published in January 2024 a study titled "Transitional Justice in Clan-based Societies: Case Study Somalia" by Yusuf Hassan.

After decades of civil war, Somalia stands on the precipice of recovery.  Yet, Somalia's path to recovery remains precariously balanced.  Tribal violence and extremist ideologies continue to ripple through the country, and political factions, intractably entangled in ceaseless power struggles threaten the fragile momentum.  A fundamental shift in approach is needed to solidify Somalia's path towards recovery and stability.  

African Perceptions of the China Development Model

Megatrends Afrika published in October 2023 a paper titled "What Explains African Perceptions of China as a Model of Development?" by Oscar M. Otele, University of Nairobi. 

Using Afrobarometer survey data, this paper utilizes multivariate logit models to account for the differences in perceptions among countries.  The paper establishes that education, gender, the rural-urban divide, and respondent's perceptions of the influence of China's economic activities on the country's economy accounted for the differences.

Climate Change and Conflict in the Horn of Africa

 The Heritage Institute published in September 2023 conference proceedings titled "Climate Change and Conflict in the Horn: Challenges, Responses and New Mandates."

No challenge is more daunting in the Horn of Africa than climate change.  This document brings together 15 papers that aid in the understanding of climate change and the impact it has on livelihoods, conflicts, and understanding the way forward in the Somali context.  

Severe Setback for Women in Sudan

 Foreign Policy published on 4 August 2023 a commentary titled "Sudan's Failed Democracy Is a Disaster for Women" by Neha Wadekar.

Sudanese women witnessed an opening of possibilities when Omar al-Bashir fell from power in 2018.  But it ended in 2021 with the military coup, a declaration of a state-of-emergency, and then the war between the Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Cheap Chinese Imports May Undermine African Manufacturing

 The Conversation published on 11 January 2023 an analysis titled "Chinese Imports Could Undermine Ethiopian Manufacturing--Leaving Women Workers Worst Off" by Sylvanus Kwaku Afesorgbor, Ruby Acquah, and Yohannes Ayele.  

Cheap Chinese imports have the effect of undermining African manufacturing.  They also have significant impact on the African labor force, especially women.  Manufacturing as a share of GDP in Sub Saharan Africa declined from 17 percent in 1995 to 12 percent in 2021.  On the other hand, cheap imports from China have the potential to generate jobs in wholesale and retail trade.  The authors conclude that African states must ensure that Chinese manufacturing investment in Africa transfer skills to local companies.  

Webinar on Ethiopian Peace Agreement

 Samuel M. Gebru, a Tigrayan, organized an hour long webinar on 4 November 2022 titled "Understanding the Ethiopia-Tigray Peace Process" with Alex de Waal, World Peace Foundation, Susan Stigant, US Institute of Peace, and Joshua Meservey, Heritage Foundation.  

Some of the highlights of their remarks include that there is no perfect peace agreement.  The will to implement the agreement is more critical than the signing of the agreement.  There will likely be violations.  Some of the terms of the agreement appear to be unrealistic.  Eritrea was not part of the peace process and its intentions are not known; Eritrean forces were continuing military activity as of today. The agreement requires both sides to take into account the "situation on the ground," which implies that Eritrean forces must leave Ethiopia.  There was concern that all of the negotiators were male on both sides of the table.  Going forward, it is imperative in include females in the process.  

Panel Discussion on Biden Administration's Africa Strategy

The Philadelphia-based Foreign Policy Research Institute hosted on 20 September 2022 an hour long discussion titled "The Biden Administration's New Africa Strategy" moderated by Charles A. Ray.  The participants were Aurelia Brazeal, retired ambassador, Franklin Moore, former deputy assistant administrator for Africa at USAID, and me.  

The discussion covered most aspects of the Biden administration's policy in Africa, including areas where there needs to be more attention.