Somali Conflicts Modern Somalia- “lawless state”? Traditional conflict management –Culture of confrontation  godob (revenge for cumulative grievances) –Council of elders (xeer) with powers of expulsion, holy men –Diya – blood money –Intermarriage between clans –Qat chewing –Poetry – expressing clan positions

Somali Conflicts 2 Colonialism: British/Italian –Partitioning of Somali people –Issues of land ownership, productivity  disruption –Colonial military/bureaucratic elite –Imposition of colonial law Independence = 1960 –Lack of gov’t diversity –Push for “development” – export crops –State-controlled military to replace xeer –Control of national resources

Somali Conflicts 3 General Siad Barre regime ( ) –Personal power, clan exclusion –“modernization” –Cold War politics of arms and aid –1991 coup Outside involvement –United Nations –U.S./U.S.S.R –Ethiopia –“New World Order”

3 major wars pre 1991 Ogaden War with Ethiopia in 1977–78 1.war between the Somali military and the Somali National Movement (SNM) for control over northwest Somalia. 2 The SNM was formed in 1981 by some members of the Isaaq clan following the Ogaden War. I embattled government forces against a growing number of clan-based liberation movements in 1989 and 1990.

SOMALIA T, N, BU.S.-led United Nations occupation during civil war; raids against one Mogadishu faction.

New World Order collapse of USSR  end of Cold war  “New World Order” one size fits all model of state “rule of law” replaces other authorities international congregation of states, United Nations to “police” collective security vs. peacekeeping

Somali Conflicts : Warlords, Moneylords 1994: Transitional Federal Government (TFG), led by Abdullah Yusuf Businessmen support clan militia leaders (NOT traditional elders) For U.S., issue of terrorism, Somalis involvement in Kenya and Tanzania bombings Union of Islamist Courts (UIC) –take over Mogadishu, 2005 –establish order, some peace

Somali Conflicts 5 Dec, 2006: Ethiopia invades, with U.S. backing growing Islamist insurgency at present: Drought, displacement, looming famine, ongoing piracy need for “security, reconciliation, capacity” power sharing instead of a “victor’s peace”

US military raid in Somalia SOMALIA 2006-? Special Forces advise Ethiopian invasion that topples Islamist government; AC-130 strikes, helicopter raids, Cruise missile attacks vs. Islamist rebels; naval blockade against "pirates" & insurgents.