Somalia | Council on Foreign Relations

Somalia

Somaliland: The Horn of Africa’s Breakaway State

The would-be independent state strikes a contrast with Somalia as a place of relative stability, and despite its lack of international recognition, Somaliland continues to push its own foreign policy.

Backgrounder by Mariel Ferragamo and Claire Klobucista January 25, 2024
Somalia

New Deals Open Old Wounds in the Horn of Africa

An already tense security environment in the Horn of Africa is growing even more perilous.

Blog Post by Michelle Gavin January 10, 2024 Africa in Transition
Climate Change

What Climate Change Means for the Horn of Africa, With Michelle Gavin

Michelle Gavin, the Ralph Bunche senior fellow for Africa policy studies at the Council, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the impact of climate change in the Horn of Africa. This series is made possible by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Michelle Gavin February 14, 2023 The President’s Inbox

Somalia

Al-Shabaab

Al-Shabaab remains capable of carrying out massive attacks in Somalia and nearby countries despite a long-running African Union offensive against the Islamist terrorist group.

Backgrounder by Claire Klobucista, Jonathan Masters and Mohammed Aly Sergie December 6, 2022
East Africa

Climate Change and Regional Instability in the Horn of Africa

Climate change is exacerbating instability in the Horn of Africa. Democratizing climate awareness, respecting African energy needs, and supporting regional organizations are strategies to mitigate its effects.

Report by Michelle Gavin November 3, 2022 Center for Preventive Action
Somalia

Stranded Somali Soldiers Raise Questions About Horn Alliances

Eritrean interests may be better served than those of Ethiopia and Somalia.

Blog Post by Michelle Gavin July 20, 2022 Africa in Transition

Somaliland

Jendayi Frazer on the Search For Multilateral Consensus

Former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs of the United States Jendayi Frazer speaks about the evolution of U.S. policy toward Somaliland.

Blog Post by Michelle Gavin June 14, 2022 Africa in Transition
Somalia

Somalia’s Political Paradoxes Forestall Progress and Stability

Somali politicians use nationalism to evade political pressure that seeks to create a more accountable and effective state.

Blog Post by Michelle Gavin April 13, 2022 Africa in Transition
Somalia

Al-Shabaab in East Africa

With brazen terrorist attacks at home and abroad, the Somalia-based Islamist insurgent group has proved resilient despite strategic setbacks in recent years.

Timeline by Claire Klobucista, Jonathan Masters , Kevin Lizarazo and Jeremy Sherlick March 31, 2022
Sudan

Authoritarian Trends in the Horn of Africa Require New Policy Approach

U.S. policy has been largely ineffectual in reversing democratic backsliding in the Horn of Africa.

Blog Post by Michelle Gavin December 28, 2021 Africa in Transition
United States

U.S. Policy in Africa Should Reflect Renewed Commitment to Democracy

American policy in Africa has not always empowered those fighting on behalf of democracy—and sometimes even supports anti-democratic forces—taking away from its stated aim of promoting democracy abroad.

Blog Post by Michelle Gavin December 15, 2021 Africa in Transition
Somalia

Somalia’s Ongoing Political Crisis Exposes Fundamental Problem for U.S. Policy

Reflections on the shortcoming of U.S. policy in Afghanistan have brought lessons that can be used to rethink American policy toward Somalia.

Blog Post by Michelle Gavin September 15, 2021 Africa in Transition
Terrorism and Counterterrorism

United States Names Five African Jihadis as Specially Designated Global Terrorists

The practical consequences of the U.S. Department of State adding five terrorist leaders operating in Africa to the list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists is likely to be limited.

Blog Post by John Campbell August 10, 2021 Africa in Transition
Somaliland

Recognizing Somaliland's Democratic Success

On May 31st, the people of Somaliland went to the polls to participate in long-delayed parliamentary and municipal elections.

Blog Post by Michelle Gavin June 8, 2021 Africa in Transition
COVID-19

India’s COVID-19 Surge, Somalia’s Political Crisis, and More

India struggles with the world’s largest COVID-19 surge, Somalia’s president addresses Parliament after dropping a bid to extend his term, and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan gets underway ten years after the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon April 29, 2021 The World Next Week