Somalia: Fighting the odds in the search for peace after the transition

Despite renewed hope in the future of Somalia, post-transition efforts towards peace and stability in this country face numerous challenges. This situation report notes that progress will be defined by the dynamics surrounding the strengths or weaknesses of the new Somali Federal Government (SFG), the rapidly adapting al-Qaeda-linked Islamist al-Shabaab and the success or failure of international support in the pursuit of peace. The emerging perception among sections of the Somali population as well as the international community of a weak and weakening Somali central government constitutes one of the most challenging developments, with far-reaching implications for the collective push for peace in the country. This situation report proposes that efforts should be aimed at strengthening the government, since its performance is central to any realistic progress in the country.

About the authors:

Andrews Atta-Asamoah is a senior researcher in the Conflict Prevention and Risk Analysis Division of the ISS. He is also a doctoral candidate at the Political Studies Department of the University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Neus Ramis Seguí is a peace and security analyst who collaborates with the Institute for Security Studies in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She is currently studying towards a PhD in International Relations at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in Spain.