Despite military gains against Somalia’s Islamist group Al-Shabaab, the insurgents’ defeat will remain elusive until the Somali government and its international partners address longstanding social – often clan-based – grievances through parallel local and national processes, as the basis for the revival of conventional governmental authority.
Puntland’s presidential election, scheduled for January, threatens to exacerbate clan tensions and polarise the population. To keep the regional state on the path of democratisation, deep investment from local, national and international actors will be crucial.
Testimony by EJ Hogendoorn, Deputy Director, Africa, International Crisis Group on “Security and Governance in Somalia: Consolidating Gains, Confronting Challenges, and Charting the Path Forward” at the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Subcommittee on African Affairs Hearing, Washington, DC, 8 October 2013.
As a new Somali government is established, Turkey’s engagement in the war-ravaged country must be thoughtful and carefully coordinated so as not to lead to yet another failed international intervention.
If the international community can agree on but a few core policies, there is the best chance in years to foster peace in Somalia.
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