Politics and clan rivalry in Somalia

Makinda, S.M. (1991) Politics and clan rivalry in Somalia. Australian Journal of Political Science, 26 (1). pp. 111-126.

Abstract

Although Somalis speak one language and belong to the same ethnic group, they are deeply divided along clan lines. These clan and lineage differences have weakened government institutions and led to civil wars. President Siad Barre, now advanced in age, can neither command the respect of major clans nor exercise much power, and his threats come not only from resistance forces, but also from his family and clan. The armed forces, which are run like ethnic militias, are demoralised and poorly equipped, with the result that they are totally unable to stop the civil wars. Due to the segmented nature of Somali society, there is no solution in sight to the country's political problems.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/26120

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