UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

SOMALIA: A CASE STUDY IN NATION BUILDING

AHMED HASHI ELMI






FEM 2000 1
SOMIA: A CASE STUY I NATION BULDIG
AD HASHI ELM
MTR OF SCIENCE
UVRm PU MYSIA
200
SOMA: A CASE STUDY I NATON BULIG
By
AHMED HASHI ELM
Thesis Submitted i Fulflment of the Requirment for the Degree
of Master of Science i the Facult of Human Ecolog
Universit Pt Malaysia
August 200
i
DEDICATION
To my parents,
My brothers ad sisters, and my best fiends
ii
Abstac of thesis presented to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia in
flfllment requirement of the degree of Master of Science.
SOMA: A CASE STY IN NATION BUILDING
By
AHMD Hm ELM
August 200
Chairman: Md Bohari Ahmad
Faculty: Human Ecolog
Among Muslim nations, few have achieved an interational standard of
good goveranc. Somalia, completely dismembered by European
colonial power, and now reduced to nearly total anarchy by the
generation of post-independence rule, is desperately in need of help. Mer
a thorough analysis of recent aid eforts, it is concluded that only the
Somalis c rescue themselves.
A in depth interiew was conducted on a select group of Somali and
Malaysian intellectuals and diplomats. A frst-hand obseration was
organized into a chronology of events during the post-independence
years, and then this data was analysed in detail. Te thesis fndings
involve a two-fold failure. Almost unacountably, President Siyad Bare's
post-independence rule quickly degenerated from an Islamic ideology
expressed in "scientifc socialist" political form, into a totally anarchy
involving the worst forms of corruption, nepotism and tribalism. Tis is
iv
Te frst failure in domestc nation building procss. Te second failure is
the failure of the interational communit to render aid to the sufering
and staring Somali people in any efectve way.
The panels of informants have elucidated many factors contributng to
both the domestic ad interational failures. From their comments and
commentaries, it become clear that individual initiative and the African
based solution would is the only hope to resolve the problem of nation
building in Somalia.
Free market initiatives fom the people themselves, a well a self-help
social and educatonal programs; have already begun to appear out of the
chaos. Given time, patience, and non-intrusive support from others, the
Somalian have the potential to make these programmes successfully for
nation building.
v
Abstak tesis yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Universit Pt Malaysia
sebagai memenuhi keperuan ut ijazah Master Sains
SOMIA: SAT K KES PENBAGUNAN NEGARA BANGSA
Oleh
AD HSm EL
August 200
Pengerusi: Md. Bohar Ahme
Faklt: Ekolog Manusia
Di kalanga Negara Isla haya sgelintr negara yang mencapa taraf
antara bangsa dari segi pemerintahan yang baik. Somalia dipandang sepi
oleh negara-negara Eropah yang bemah menjajahnya dan kini menjadi
sebuah negara yang aark oleh pemerintah generasi selepas merdeka,
bersaha mencri pertolongan. Akan tetapi sebenamya selepas membuat
anaisis terhadap bantuan terbaharu, maka kesimpulannya, hanya Somalia
boleh membatu dirinya sendiri.
Satu temuduga yang mendalam dibuat terhadap sekumpulan Somali yang
tnggal di Malaysia di kalangan cendiakawan dan diplomat. Segala
pandangan pertama mereka telah disusum mengikut kronologi dan dianalisa
dengan mendalam. Penemuan tesis mendapat kegagalan dua bela pihak.
v
Hampir tdak bertanggungawab, presiden Siyad Bare dengan cepat merobah
ideologi Islamnya dikenali sebagai "Scientifc Socialist" kepada korup
sepenuhnya melibatkan rasuah, nepotisma dan tibalisma yang begitu keji.
Inilah kegagalan yang pertama, kegagalan domestik, kegagalan bagi orang
Somalia sendiri. Kegagalan kedua, ialah kegagalan komuniti antara bangsa
memberi pertolongan terhadap penderitaan da kebuluran orang Somalia
secara berkesan.
Pemberi maumat menjelaskan banya fator yang menyumbang kepada
kedua-dua, kegagalan domestik dan antara bangsa. Daripada penerangan
mereka, menjadi lebih jelas kepada saya bahawa inisiatif individu dan
penyelesaian ala-Afika merupakan haya harapan untuk Somalia. Sebagai
kesimpulan, situasi yang sama di negara-negara sub-Sahara.
Pasaran bebas yang diusahakan oleh rakyatya sendiri, termasuk sistem
bantu-diri dan program pendidikan, sedia muncul di tengah-tengah
kegawatan. Hanya masa, kesabaran dan tanpa gangguan dari yang lain,
orag Somalia mempunyai potensi contoh demokratik yang boleh
disebarkan ke bahagian lain Afrika, mala seluruh dunia.
vi
AOWLDGEMNS
In the process of completing this thesis, I have been fortunate to
receive numerous invaluable assistance fom many people and insttutions.
Firstly, praise to God, for giving me the strength and patience to
complete this work. I am especially grateful to my Committee Chairan,
Md. Bohari Ahmad, who has been especially helpfl and for h excellent
guidance, invaluable comment and continuos encouragement to fnish tis
work. My sincere appreciatons are also to the Committee Members
Associate Professor Dr Jayum Aa Jawan and Dr Mohamed Agus Yusuf
for their invaluable comments, discussions, and suggestions, which I
appreciated very much. Tank also goes to M Sulaiman Duford for his
help in editing my thesis. Tanks are also due to the Departent of Social
Science Development of the Faculty of Human Ecology in particular and the
University Putra Malaysia in general for providing me a conducive academic
environment in which to crry out this study.
Finally I would like to thank my brothers Yusuf Adarre, Abdi Shafeh,
and my Uncle Ibrahim Hashim for their generous fnancial support and
encouragement.
viii
I certif tat an Exainaton Committee met on 21 August 2000 to
conduct te fnal exainaton of Ame Hahi Elmi on his Master thesis
entted "Somalia: A Cae Study in Nation Building" in accordace wit
Universiti Pertaia Malaysia (Higer degree) act 1980 ad Universiti
Pertanian Malasia (Higher degee) at 1981. Te committee
recommends tat the cadidate be awaded the relevant degree. Members
of the Examinaton Committe ae a follows:
Mohd Shat Sabran, Ph.D.
Faculty of Human Ecology
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(Charman)
Md Bohari Amad
Facult of Human Ecology
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(Member)
Jayum Aa Jawan, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Faculty of Human Ecolog,
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(Member)
Mohame Agus Yusuf, Ph.D.
Facult of Political Science
Universiti Kebangsa Malaysia.
(Member)
S HA YI, Ph.D,
Professor/Deput Dea of Graduate School,
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Date:
1 2 DEC 2000
i
Tis thesis submitted to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia has been
accepted as flflment of the requirement for the degree of Master of
Science.
KS AW AG, PhD.
Associate professor,
Dean of Graduate School,
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Date: 1 1 JAN ZOOl
x
DECLTON
I hereby declare that the thesis is based on my original work except for
quotatons and citaton, which have been duly ackowledge. I also
declare that it has not been previously or concurrently submitted for any
other degree at UM or other institutions.
(Ahmed Hashi Elmi)
Date:
1 8 DEC 2000
x
TABL OF CONTENTS
Page
DEDICATION
ABSTRACT
ABSTRK
ACKNOWLEDGEMENS
APROVAL SHETS
DEClATION FORM
UST OF TABLES
UST OF FGUES
UST OF OBBREVIATIONS
ii
iii
v
vii
viii
x
xiv
xv
xvi
CHR
1. IRODUCTON 1
2.
1.1 Background 1
1.2 Somalia Aer Independence From 196-1991 6
1. The politc of state disintegraton 9
1.4 Statement of the Problem 13
1.5 Objectve of the study 14
1.6 Scope and Importanc of the study 14
1.7 Teoretical Framework 15
URT REVIW 20
2.1 Background 20
2.2 Clanism or Tribalism 21
2. Civil Wa and Interatonal Interention 24
2.4 Defniton of Interention 25
2.5 Types of Interention 27
2.6 Civil Wa and U Interenton in Somalia 32
2.7 Te Modem Naton-State and Nation Building 38
2.7.1 Nation Building
2.7.2 Federalism
2.7.3 Representation
2.7.4 Cultural Federalism
2.7.5 Encapsulaton
2.7.6 Expatriation
3.
2.8 Te Root of Interention
2.9 Strucural Facors
Conclusion
MTHODOLOGY
3.1 Sources of Data
3.2 3.1.1 Ofcial Document
3.1.2 News Paper and Reports
3.1.3 Publications
3.3 Location of the Study
3.4 Factors
3.3.1 Clanism
3.3.2 Siyad Bare and Scientifc Socialism
3.3.3 Civil War
3.4 Nation Building
3.4.1 Politic
3.4.2 Economics
3.4.3 Social Life
3.5 United Nations Intervention in Somalia
3.6 Somalia II
3.7 Concusion
xi
47
48
52
54
54
55
56
60
66
68
69
4. T BREDOWN OR COLLASE OF CIVIL A 72
MLITARY GOVERNMNT
4.1 Ideology and clanism 74
4.2 Who is Siyad Bare? 76
4.3 Power Struggle and Civil War 78
4.4 USC goverent 8
4.5 The collapse of te country 85
4.6 Role of United Nations ( in restoring law and order 91
4.7 Why did U mission fail? 94
4.8 Conclusion 114
5. T PLITICS, ECONOMCS, A SOCIAL UF
OF SOMALIA 19601991 118
5.1 Politicl Developments 1960-1969 118
5.1.1 Politics 1969-191
5.1.2 Politics 1991
5.2 Somalia Relation with Arab Countries
5. Relation with Other Foreigner Countries
5.4 Economical Developments
126
127
127
5.4.1 Eonomic 1960-1969
5.4.2 Eonomics 1969-1991
5.5 Social Life
5.51 Social1960-1969
5.52 Social1969-1991
5.53 Social 1991
5.6 Conclusion
6. CONCLUSION
6.1.1 Te Main Finding
6.1.2 Future of Nation Building in Somalia
xi
135
141
143
RECOMNDATION 149
REFRENCElBmLOGRAH R.1
BIODATA OF T AUTHOR B.1
xv
UST OF TALS
1. Somaian Clan Family 6
2. The ore tcal Frame Work 16
3
. Troop Contributions to UOSOM II 98
4. Line s of Re sponsibility, UOSOM II 99
5. Attacks on UOSOM II, Mog adishu, 5 June 10
throug h 22 Octobe r 993
LIST OF FIGUS
1. Te Political Map of Mrica 2
2. Te Political Map of Somalia Frontie rs and Colonial 3
Boundarie s from 1891-1960.
x
FAPLA
F
MLA
OAU
UNITA
ABBRVATONS
Popular Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola
National Front for the Angola
Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola
Organisation for African Unity
National Union for the Total Independence of Angola
UNOSOM United Nations Operation in Somalia
UNITAF
NGO
CNN
PDPA
PLO
SNM
SPM
SSDF
USC
SNA
IGAD
UNDP
UN
SRC
SDA
GDP
Unified Task Force
Non-Goverental Organisation
Cable News Network
Party Democatic People of Afghanistan
Palestne Liberation Organisation
Somali National Movement
Somali Patriotic Movement
Somali Salvation Democratic Front
United Somali Congress
Somali National Alliance
Inter-Goverental Authority for Development
United Nations Development Program
United Nation
Supreme Revolutionary Council
Somali Democratic Alice
Gross Domestic Produc
xv
CHR I
IODUCON
Backound
Somalia (se Figure. 1) is located on the Hom of Africa, the point
where the Afica continent stretches out towards the Arab world. It
controls access to the Red Sea and is closely lined to the oil rich region
of the Arab Peninsula and the Gulf.
By the eighteen-century, te Somalians had essentially developed
their present way of life, which is pastoral and Islaic. During the
colonia period beginning in 1869 with the opening of the Suez Canal, the
Hom of Africa suddenly became stategcally more important for the
European powers. Between 1885 and 198, Britain, France and Italy
colonised and divided among temselves the long Somalia coast (see
Figure. 2). During the period of colonialism te country was split into
fve parts, two under the British, and one each under the Italian, the
French, and the Etiopian.
Te new Republic of Somalia (see Figure.2) was formed in 1960
and it consisted of only two out of the fve parts of the previous Somalia.
The two regions are British Somaliland, which achieved independence on

\
\
Figure.1 The Political Map of Afriean Boarders
I
IdI
O

Sources: from ht/.W'w.yahoo.com(Wlder search Ma of Aica)

2
Figre.2 The Political Map of Somalia
t
l
iNDIAN
tN
Somalia
:e
-=qoa;qooobD"d8'"
vs:v
R1se= .. W

---
__.. _
11l!1O"

, !
Sources: from htp://.www.yahoo.com (under search Map of Somalia)

4
June 26 1960 and the Italian trust tertor of Smalia that achieved
Independence on July 1 1960.
Te other three parts remained under foreig cntrol. Te Ogaden
region, (Somali wester part) which is Ur Etiopia administrtion as
well as Norther Front District (). is under Kenyan administrtion.
Djibouti that was under French but had aiee it indepndn in 197
during the Ogaden war between Ethiopia and Somalia and bcme
independent state, Republic of Djibouti not joined rest of the Somalia.
Somalia transition to independenc difered radically from that of
most African states. In 1950 the former Italian colony was placd under a
United Nations trusteeship and administered by Italy. Although British
Somalilad retained its colonial status until independenc, chages
instituted by the United Nations in the tusteeship territory infuenced
political developments there as well. A a result, Somalia's indepndence
as a unifed state practising multiparty parliamentary demoacy wa
attained relatvely painlessly.1
Te early post-independence period was dominated by difcult in
integrating the former colonial territories and in addition the new state
had confics with Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti arising fom Somalia's
Irredentism demands. Interal political conficts revolved around methods
1 Harold, D. (1982) Somalia a Country Study. Washington DC: American University
press, pp.3-
5
of handling these difculties. Competition for electoral support widened
cleavages within the nation as politicias sought the backng of rival
regional and clan groups, there by often obscuring the country's pressing
need for development.
Somalia has a land area of 637, 540 square klometres, and a terrain
tat consists mainly of plateau and highlands. The weather is hot
throughout the year, except the higher elevations in the north. Moderate
rainfall is confmed to the northwest, and particularly in the southwest,
where the country's two main rivers are found; in tese region agriclture
is practised.
2
Somalia has a long castline of about (3,025 klometres). The
castline i important for tade with the Middle East and te rest of East
Ac. Te exploitaton of the shore and the continental shelf for fshing
and other purposes had barely begun by the early 19s. Sovereignty was
claimed over territorial waters up to 20 nautical miles. Somalis has four
seasons, two rainy (gu' and dayr) and two dry (iilaal and hagaa). The GU
rains begin in April and last untl June, and dayr by the day rains fom
October to November.
Somali populaton is about six million and is made up of fve major
clans: Darood, Hawiye, Isaak, Dir, and Rahaweyn. (see fgure 3.) Each
2 Helen, M. (192) Sma Cuntry Study. Wahingon DC: Aerican Univerity pres, p.10
6
clan is than subdivided into six or more subclas and each subclans and
faer subclas. Al te lineage's extended families and divided smal
groups which are kown (ilib) whom are living same region or district,
which pays and receives blood compensaton in cases involving
homicide. But in general Somali people share a common language,
physical characteristic, religion, cstoms, and tradition.
Dir
Biyomal
Issa
Table 1. Somalian Clan Family
Cla and subclan
Darood Isaaq Hawiye
Ogaden H.Awal Abgal
Mjerteen Garhsjis H. gidir
Gadabursi dhulbaante H.jeclo Murrsade
Rhanwayn
Digil
Mirife
Somalia: Aer Independence from 1960-91
When Somalia was formed in 1960, it was adopted a Parliamentary
democracy. It lasted fom June to October 1969 in a constant state of
confsion. There were up to 6 political parties. All expression of the
various cans and sub-clans (see Table . 1). But as soon as the elections
7
were over, they all allied to the dominant Somali Youth Lague (SY),
the nationalist party that had been nurtured by British Military
Administration between 1941and 1948. Since the SYL was the only
national party wit a support tat was relatively broady based across the
clans, the various other parties, which were in fact clan-based interest
group, rallied to the SYL, dominated goverent in order to be able to
beneft fom the state. Tus the country lived bth with a myriad of
parties and a de-facto single party. Tis system led to massive corruption
and a strong disenchantent on the part of the public towards its
goverent. In October 1969, a group of military ofcers took power in
bloodless coup d'etat.
Te new goverent had all the tappings of the then fashionable
socialist military regimes: a single party, a single trade union, a strongly
controlled press, close ties with the USSR, and mass organisation for
women, youth and workers given the emphasis on the reunifcaton of the
Somali people. It also had an aggressive foreign polic and spent massive
share of its budget on military expenses. Sinc regimes potental foes
Ethiopia, Kenya, and France were all, in the cold war context of the time.
Close American allies Somalia entered into the very cose relatons with
USSR and the goverent declared it self to be adherent of scientc
socialism to please its new Soviet fiends. Progressive foreig
intellectuals duly tried to discover the social and economic basis for a