
After decades of being a backwater failed nation largely defined by civil wars, famine, piracy and terrorism, Somalia is suddenly finding itself at the center of arguably the most convulsing geopolitical conflict in a generation.
After decades of being a backwater failed nation largely defined by civil wars, famine, piracy and terrorism, Somalia is suddenly finding itself at the center of arguably the most convulsing geopolitical conflict in a generation.
This research was aimed at investigating issues surrounding youth migration in Somalia. Citizens in seven populous cities in different geographical locations and administrations were surveyed and key informants were interviewed. The study has revealed that migration is high in even relatively peaceful places.
Since 2014, over 73,000 Somali refugees have been repatriated from Dadaab – the world’s largest refugee camp in Kenya’s northeastern province. The majority of these returnees had previously fled from rural areas currently under the control of the Somali militant group Al-Shabaab.
On October 14 Mogadishu was rocked by the deadliest explosion in its history, killing more than 400 people and injuring hundreds of others. Reliable figures are hard to come by, but the blast, which flattened the buildings around the clogged Zoppe Junction in the Hodan district, has caused mayhem and material destruction estimated to be in the millions of dollars.
The Heritage Institute for Policy Studies (HIPS) conducted a public opinion perceptions survey from January 9-23, 2017. HIPS asked a total of 1,364 adults aged 18 and older in Boosaaso, Beledweyne, Mogadishu, Baydhabo and Kismaayo about the policy areas they want the incoming government to focus on.
The ongoing drought in Somalia – referred to in the Somali language as Sima, which means the leveler, ubiquitous or pervasive – has enveloped the entire country. If rain does not arrive by mid April, and if a massive humanitarian campaign is not mounted swiftly, the drought could morph into an insidious famine that could devastate the country.
As Somalia’s tenth parliament began its work in early 2017 and elected Mohamed Abdullahi ‘Farmaajo’ as president, the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies (HIPS) hopes lawmakers, national and sub-national politicians and civil society organizations will re-focus and prioritize the finalization of the constitution. HIPS is, therefore, presenting the first in a series of papers on […]
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) alone cannot defeat al-Shabaab. This can only happen if AMISOM can partner with a capable, legitimate and inclusive set of Somali security forces. Unfortunately, over the last decade, Somalia’s political leaders have failed to forge a political settlement that charts an agreed pathway towards creating an effective set of professional national security forces. Read on…
The depth of Turkey’s relatively recent engagement in Somalia is visible in the capital Mogadishu. The rehabilitation of a 23-kilometer road across the capital, a new airport terminal and the rebuilding of the former Digfer hospital are all conspicuous symbols of Turkey’s role in the development of Somalia. Read more…..