Interpeace in Somalia

Somalia is home to one of Interpeace’s longest-standing programmes. Interpeace launched its programme in the northeastern part of Somalia in 1996. It subsequently expanded to Somaliland in 1999 and south-central Somalia in 2000. Interpeace has worked in Somalia for three decades to support and advance statebuilding and peacebuilding processes. It works with and through its Somali civil society partners, local peacebuilding institutions, governments and the international community.

In the absence of a functioning central government and local administrations, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) played a crucial role, particularly in the 1990s and early 2000s, as key drivers of state-building and peacebuilding efforts. In Somalia, CSOs have amplified the voices of marginalised communities, provided essential social services, and facilitated dialogue between conflicting parties. Excluded from the traditionally male-dominated sphere of clan-based politics, women have channelled their political insight and agency into the civil society and political space that emerged following the collapse of the state.

Current Context

The Somali context has constantly evolved. On one hand, insecurity persists, and the agency for social cohesion is frustrated by spoilers, continued geopolitics of the region, and the devastating impact of climate change. However, the country has also seen a sustained period of political and institutional progress over the past decade, suggesting a gradual transition out of fragility and protracted crisis. This is consolidated by the progressive liberation of territories previously held by Al-Shabaab, which marks a milestone for the consolidation of governance and security structures.

Somalia has been making significant strides in peacebuilding and state-building processes as evidenced by recent developments such as lifting the arms embargo, the debt cancellation, and joining the East Africa Community (EAC) as the eighth partner. These strides are expected to positively affect Somalia’s development agenda and boost its standing within the international community. Somalia has also envisioned an ambitious democratisation plan to advance one-person-one-vote elections for the federal, state and district political transitions. This signifies Somalia’s broader goal of enhancing the legitimacy of institutions of governance by ensuring direct citizen participation.

Momentum towards finalising the provisional federal constitution also picked up after the current Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) prioritised the review process. The review process is currently managed by the upper and lower houses of Parliament in Mogadishu. However, unresolved issues that require political dialogue and consensus between the FGS and the Federal Member States (FMS) have stalled the process, which has remained a recurrent challenge since 2012.

In the autonomous region of Somaliland, key strides were made towards upholding and maintaining its hybrid governance system, with several elections taking place. Most recently, Somaliland successfully completed the presidential elections, which resulted in a regime change following the opposition party's election victory. To date, Somaliland has conducted nine democratic elections, including four presidential elections (2003, 2010, 2017, and 2024), two parliamentary elections (2005 and 2021), and three local council elections (2002, 2012, and 2021).

The November 2024 elections in Somaliland marked a historic shift, as opposition leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” secured a decisive victory over incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdi. The election was widely regarded as a significant political turning point, reflecting public demand for change and a more inclusive governance. Irro’s win not only signalled a political transition but also reinforced Somaliland’s democratic credentials, as the peaceful transfer of power was seen as a testament to the region’s relative political maturity. However, security challenges have been escalating in Somaliland, particularly in the eastern regions of Sanaag and Sool. Tensions between Somaliland and SSC-Khatumo militias have remained high, periodically erupting into violent clashes with significant human costs, including loss of lives and the displacement of civilians, leading to an increasing number of refugees.

President Irro’s administration is perceived as more conciliatory and diplomatic in its approach to governance, emphasising consensus-based decision-making and political inclusivity. Early on, his government prioritised dialogue with key stakeholders, including SSC-Khatumo leaders in the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions, in an effort to address longstanding tensions and security concerns. His administration has also focused on urgent national priorities such as enhancing security, responding to recurring droughts, and implementing economic reforms to foster stability and growth.

Despite this positive advancement in the overall state-building processes, insecurity due to the presence and influence of militant groups (Al Shabaab and ISIS), negative effects of climate change and recurrent community conflicts continue to worsen Somalia’s fragility. These challenges also influence the federal, state and district development agenda and determine how resources are prioritised and allocated. Addressing insecurity and responding to the frequent humanitarian crisis has been among the key issues prioritised.