Somalia has been on the agenda of the international community, but also of academia, for many years. In Focus on Somalia, we want to contribute to informing about current political and legal events in the country, but also to present background analyses and scientific assessments. Our aim is to give young scientists from Somalia a chance to have their voices heard. In order to support authors contributing to our Focus on Somalia section, we established the Asli-Ahmed-Award.
Our blog thrives on allowing very different perspectives on the country, its people and society to have their say.
Change Through Trade? East African Community Starts Accession Negotiations with Somalia
The East African Community (EAC) is one of the fastest-growing regional economic blocs in the world. It currently comprises seven partner states, including Congo (since 2022), the Republic of Burundi,…
The Impact of Conflict on Marginalized Communities in Somalia: A Human Rights Perspective
Introduction The impact of conflict on marginalized communities in Somalia is a crucial issue that needs to be discussed from a human rights perspective. Conflict often aggravates existing inequalities and…
A popular uprising as a game changer? Somalia’s fight against Al Shabab terror
In the shadow of world political events, one of the biggest offensives against terror in over a decade and a half is currently taking place in Somalia. For almost two…
Launch of the Asli-Ahmed-Award
On 19th November 2022, the africanlegalstudies.blog launched the Asli-Ahmed-Award in close cooperation with the Verein für Entwicklung und humanitäre Hilfe Somalias e.V. Thanks to the gracious support of the Verein…
On a difficult mission – Somalia elects Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the new president
COMMENT René Brosius 10 June 2022 In the evening of 8 February 2017, it was clear: Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed also known as “Farmaajo” is Somalia’s 9th president. People in Mogadishu…
Somalia: Birth pangs of a new era?
ANALYSIS 29 April 2022 René Brosius Somali politics is experiencing exciting times. However, they could be the birth pangs of a positive turn of times: With the controversial and long-delayed…
Somalia’s complicated election process ends – result: uncertainty
ANALYSIS 15 April 2022 René Brosius Somalia’s complicated election process is ending – and remains complicated. After many delays, Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble recently announced his intention to complete…
The Potential of the Xeer for the Somali Legal System
Source: Alternatehistory 2017 ANALYSIS René Brosius 26 November 2021 Somalia is considered the prototype of a legally pluralistic environment. Nevertheless, the proper handling of legal diversity has not yet succeeded.…
Light and Shadow in Somalia – How Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a and the Elections are Connected
ANALYSIS René Brosius 12 November 2021 The latest news from Somalia could not be contradictory. On the one hand, the first democratic “one person, one vote” elections since 1969 took…
House of Cards in Villa Somalia
Source: Sigmund 2020 ANALYSIS René Brosius 17 September 2021 In April 2021, after Somalia was on the brink of civil war, it seemed for a long time that the solution…
Why did Democracy Fail in Somalia?
Source: Alternatehistory 2017 ANALYSIS René Brosius 23 July 2021 If you ask older Somalis about the time shortly after the country’s independence, they often advise you very politely: Firstly, that…
The 4.5 System – An Instrument of Exclusion?
Source: CIA ANALYSIS René Brosius 25 June 2021 In the inner-Somali discussion, the term “4.5 system” comes up again and again, and for outsiders it is not easily recognisable what…