Peacebuilding and Statebuilding in Somalia: Analysis of Key Issues and Policy Options

Somalia challenges tradition notions of statehood, governance and insitutions as hybrid systems of authority operate alongside each other and often compete for control of territories within the state. 

The analysis presented calls for a focus on short-term political stabilization requirements for Somalia. Efforts such as the New Deal Compact and concomitant funding open space for engaged political dialogue on areas where change is required in the short-term to enable sustainable change moving forward. This short-term focus should create a realistic, measurable and achievable agenda for change that can enable peaceful elections in 2016. Three primary goals should be:

1. Finalizing the consitutional process 

1. Developing a federal system of governance

2. Hosting a credible election

This briefing note provides a cursory analysis of key social, political and economic dynamics in Somalia that affect international security and development engagement. It follows on from the Comprehensive Assessment Group for Somalia (CAG) hosted by the Knowledge Platform Security & Rule of Law. It is structured accoring to the five Peacebuilding and Statebuilding Goals fo the New Deal Fragility Assessment.