Reimagining Statehood: Examining the Contributions of Traditional Governance Institutions in Somalia and Somaliland
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Date
2024-07-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This dissertation endeavors to critically analyze the role of traditional governance institutions in the state-building processes within Somalia and Somaliland, following the collapse of Siad Barre's regime. This period marked the near-complete disintegration of central governmental frameworks, leading to the adoption of divergent strategies for state reconstruction across the regions. In the case of Somalia, the state-building trajectory has been significantly influenced by extensive international, continental, and regional engagement, embarking on numerous normative state-building undertakings. These efforts, largely predicated on the principle of extraversion, have been met with limited success, arguably predisposed towards failure. Conversely, Somaliland, a self-proclaimed yet largely unrecognized entity, has predominantly leveraged its traditional governance institutions, with the Guurti playing a fundamental role, in forging a path towards statehood. This approach has resulted in a moderately successful, albeit flawed, hybrid governance model. This stark contrast in state-building approaches necessitates a rigorous reevaluation of conventional and dominant paradigms of state-building, thereby opening an intellectual avenue to scrutinize such processes from the perspective of those often marginalized in governance discourse. This inquiry posits that the experiences of Somalia and Somaliland present an opportunity to challenge normative assumptions and hegemonic narratives in Africana studies, particularly regarding the viability and efficacy of traditional governance institutions in state-building endeavors. To accomplish its research objectives, this study employs a qualitative methodology, integrating primary data mainly derived from interviews with key informants conducted in three locations: Addis Ababa, Jigjiga, and Hargeisa. This primary data is complemented by an extensive review and analysis of available documentary sources. Through this comprehensive approach, the dissertation aims to contribute a deeper understanding of the complexities associated with traditional governance institutions' contribution to state-building efforts in Somalia and Somaliland.
Key Words: Somalia, Somaliland, Traditional Governance Institutions, Beel System, Extraversion
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Keywords
Somalia, Somaliland, Traditional Governance Institutions, Beel System, Extraversion