The Somalia conflict: Implications for peacemaking and peacekeeping efforts

This paper analyses how the root causes, changing dynamics and nature of the Somali conflict impact upon ongoing efforts for peacemaking

As the most protracted conflict on the continent, the Somali conflict continues not only to pose an increasing threat to the people of Somalia and the region at large but also to defy various attempts at its resolution. This paper analyses how the root causes, changing dynamics and nature of the Somali conflict impact upon ongoing efforts of the international community for peacemaking and peacekeeping. It identifies both the challenges that these attributes pose for peacemaking and peacekeeping and the approaches for addressing them. The paper also argues for a comprehensive approach to dealing with the various dimensions of the conflict, both internal and external, and underscores the need for a coordinated, sustained and robust international engagement.

About the author

Solomon A. Dersso is a senior researcher with the African Peace Support Trainers Association Secretariat (APSTA) at the Addis Ababa Office of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). Previously, he served as a Doctoral Research Fellow at the South African Institute for Advanced Constitutional, Public, Human Rights and International Law (SAIFAC) based at Constitution Hill, in Johannesburg. Solomon has undertaken and published research on subjects relating to human rights in Africa, the interface between human rights and human security, ethnic conflicts in Africa and policy and institutional options for managing ethnic conflicts, and the AU peace and security regime.