Focus on Somalia

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.

A popular uprising as a game changer? Somalia’s fight against Al Shabab terror

A popular uprising as a game changer? Somalia’s fight against Al Shabab terror

René BrosiusDec 23, 20229 min read

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

Launch of the Asli-Ahmed-Award

Max ZuberDec 9, 20221 min read

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…

dummy-img

On a difficult mission – Somalia elects Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the new president

René BrosiusJun 10, 202211 min read

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…

dummy-img

Somalia: Birth pangs of a new era?

René BrosiusApr 29, 20228 min read

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…

dummy-img

Somalia’s complicated election process ends – result: uncertainty

René BrosiusApr 15, 202212 min read

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…

dummy-img

The Potential of the Xeer for the Somali Legal System

René BrosiusNov 27, 20218 min read

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.…

dummy-img

Light and Shadow in Somalia – How Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a and the Elections are Connected

René BrosiusNov 12, 20217 min read

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…

dummy-img

House of Cards in Villa Somalia

René BrosiusSep 17, 202110 min read

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…

dummy-img

Why did Democracy Fail in Somalia?

René BrosiusJul 23, 20217 min read

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…

dummy-img

The 4.5 System – An Instrument of Exclusion?

René BrosiusJun 25, 20217 min read

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…

dummy-img

Is Civil War Coming to Somalia?

René BrosiusApr 28, 20214 min read

COMMENT René Brosius 28 April 2021 The conflict over elections in Somalia[1] , which has been ongoing since last summer, has reached the next stage of escalation. Internationally mediated talks…

dummy-img

Somalia vs. Kenya – The maritime border dispute

René BrosiusApr 10, 20216 min read

Source: AFP COMMENT René Brosius 09 April 2021 Somalia and Kenya do not have a tension-free relationship. Many reasons for this lie in the conflict-ridden history. The border between the…