Committee: General Assembly 3

Issue: Reducing the political instability in Somalia caused by the Somali Civil War
Student Officer: Duru Acül
Position: Deputy Chair

Introduction

The number of significant civil conflicts has nearly tripled in the last two decades. The
United Nations (UN), according to paragraph 7 of article 2 of the Charter, should not be an
active party or intervene in the case of a civil war. These conflicts are classified as domestic
issues, thus the unsolicited involvement of any supranational organization could be
considered an infringement on sovereignty. As a result, with less United Nations involvement
compared to international wars and conflicts, civil wars have a high relapse rate, resulting in
significant rates of death and displacement.

The start of the Somali Civil War was sparked by the military regime, which had grown
increasingly more authoritarian after the Ogaden War. In 1991, the military junta was
overthrown by armed rebel groups. According to a study published in 2004, the average
duration of a civil war is 7 years. The Somali Civil War, unlike its counterparts, has been a
pressing humanitarian issue for over 30 years.

Between 350.000 and 1 million people lost their lives due to the conflict while between 2
million and 3 million were internally displaced. Today, 3.5 million Somalis, including 1.5
million Somali children face starvation.[1] Political unrest in the nation is actively hindering
reform initiatives that are essential to promoting human rights and civilian lives are still
significantly affected by the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Definition of Key Terms

Civil War: A civil war is a conflict between organized groups or factions that are located in
the same state. Taking over the nation or a region, gaining independence for a territory, or
altering governmental policy are the most common motivations behind civil wars.

State Failure: State failure refers to the breakdown of governmental structures and
institutions. The failure of these structures ultimately leads to a power vacuum which leaves
the nation without a functioning government. The civil war in Somalia was triggered by the
overthrow of President Siad Barre’s rule, which ended up causing the central government to
collapse.

Authoritarianism: The denial of democracy, civil freedoms, and political plurality are
defining features of an authoritarian political regime. It involves the upholding of the political
status quo through the use of strong centralized power.

Warlordism: Warlords are individuals, often with a military background, that exercise
political control over a territory or region through the use of armed forces. They usually have
private militias to assist them in maintaining power in the region. Warlordism emerges in
contexts where the central government is weak. Warlords commonly exploit the diversity of
the population under their rule by aligning themselves with certain groups or beliefs in order
to establish authority.

Clannism: Clannism describes a social and political structure in which clan ties influence
various aspects of life, including decision-making, resource allocation and social
organization. Somalia is a clan-based society that is organized into clans, sub-clans and
extended families. Conflicts may arise as a result of clannism, particularly when rival clans
compete for resources or power. Inter-clan rivalries or rivalries within a clan can grow into
larger social or political conflicts.
Major Countries & Organizations Involved

Ethiopia

Ethiopia has directly and indirectly been a major contributor to the Somali Civil War.
Tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia were heightened in the 1970s by the dispute over the
Ogaden region, which happens to be home to ethnic Somalis. When Somalia attempted to
seize the Ogaden in 1977, Ethiopia and Somalia went to war.

Ethiopia and Somalia's relations were strained during the Ogaden War. When the Somali
Civil War broke out in the 1990s, Ethiopia got involved in efforts to stop the Union of Islamic
Court and other Islamist groups from becoming more and more influential.

Ethiopia intervened militarily against the UIC in 2006 in order to assist the Transitional
Federal Government. Although the operation succeeded in driving out the UIC, it also fueled
anti-Ethiopian feeling and aided in the emergence of extremist organizations such as
Al-Shabaab.
The African Union (AU)

Founded in 2001, the African Union is a continental organization dedicated to promoting

unity in Africa. The organization uses a number of measures to accomplish this goal, such as
advocating for human rights, democratic governance, and economic integration. Preventing
conflicts and acting in times of war or genocide are the main objectives emphasized in the
AU's Constitutive Act.

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), has played a significant role in the
Somali Civil War since it was founded in 2007. AMISOM troops assisted the Federal
Government of Somalia in establishing national stability until 2022 when the AU began
gradually withdrawing its forces.

The United States of America

The US has been actively involved in the conflict since the 1990s. The nation’s engagement
has evolved over the years, especially after the Black Hawk Down incident. US military
personnel were involved in the infamous Battle of Mogadishu, also referred to as "Black
Hawk Down” in 1993 while on a UN peacekeeping mission. The tragic events of the
operation, in which eighteen American soldiers passed away caused the United States to
reevaluate its involvement and ultimately remove its troops from the area. [5]

Nonetheless, after the 9/11 attacks the US made the decision to once again provide support to
the civil war as a way to solidify their stance against terrorsim. Thanks to this decision, The
Federal Government of Somalia received assistance from the United States in its fight against
Al-Shabaab.
The U.S. has provided assistance to the FGS by training Somali security forces to enhance
their capabilities in the fight against extremist groups. The U.S. military has also conducted
airstrikes targeting high-profile Al-Shabaab leaders.

Al-Shabaab

The Islamist terrorist group Al-Shabaab first came to prominence in the middle of the 2000s,
following the Islamic Courts Union's collapse in 2006.

The extremist group wants to impose Sharia, or Islamic law, in Somalia. Due to their shared
radical ideology, the group is affiliated with al-Qaeda. Its objectives include the formation of
an Islamic state, the withdrawal of foreign soldiers from Somalia, and the overthrow of the
Federal Government of Somalia.

Al-Shabaab rose to prominence by seizing large areas of southern and central Somalia and
forcing its harsh interpretation of Islamic rule on the local population. The group has
engaged in asymmetric warfare by employing assassinations, suicide bombs, and guerilla
tactics. It has mainly targeted law enforcement officers and government officials.

Despite facing setbacks, Al-Shabaab remains active in the region. Its ability to exploit local
grievances, coupled with its transnational connections thanks to Al-Qaeda, makes it a
persistent security concern.

Detailed Analysis of the Issue

Barre’s Regime
The Somali Civil War was triggered by the fall of the Siad Barre regime on 27 January 1991.
At the time, Barre had been serving as the Head of state for over 20 years, more precisely
since the 19691 coup d’état that overthrew the Somali Republic. Before becoming Head of
state, Mohammed Barre was serving as the Vice Commander of the Somali Army. In the
1960s, after spending time with Soviet officers during joint training, he became an advocate
for socialism and developed a stronger sense of nationalism.

Following the 1969 coup d’état, The Supreme Revolutionary Council military junta under
Barre reconstituted Somalia as a one-party Marxist–Leninist communist state and renamed
the country the Somali Democratic Republic. The initial years of his rule were defined by
“scientific socialism” which included attempts of widespread modernization, the
nationalization of industry and banks as well as an anti-tribalist approach.

Over time, Barre’s regime became synonymous with severe brutality. In 1978, Somalia was
defeated in the Ethio-Somali War that was fought over the Ethiopian region of Ogaden. This
led to a rapid decrease in the popularity of Barre’s regime. In an attempt to maintain power,
his rule over the country grew more and more authoritarian. Barre's regime fell apart after the
Somali Rebellion successfully removed him from office. This was mainly due to the rise of
tribal politics, violations of the National Security Service, particularly the genocide in Isaaq,
and the rapid collapse of Somalia's economy.

The Influence of Clannism on the Somali Civil War

President Barre's political exploitation of clan identities was one of the main ways that
clannism manifested itself throughout the Somali Civil War. Barre deliberately favored some
clans throughout his totalitarian leadership, consolidating power within their ranks and
marginalizing others. Siad Barre prioritized his own clan-family, the Daarood, from the very
beginning of his presidency. In particular, he unfairly distributed governmental offices, as
well as the powers and benefits that go with them, to three Daarood clans: his own, the
Mareehaan; his son-in-law's, the Dulbahante; and his mother's, the Ogaden.

The rise of warlords in the post-Barre age clearly demonstrated the influence of clannism on
the civil war. Warlords used the opportunity presented by the fall of the central authority to
form alliances with particular clans and use clan loyalty to gain support. This ultimately made
the establishment of a coalition government more difficult.

The Somali National Movement and The Isaaq Genocide

The Isaaq is one of the largest clans located in the Horn of Africa. The Isaaq genocide also
known as the Hargeisa holocaust is was the state-enforced massacre of Isaaq civilians
between 1987 and 1989 by the Somali Democratic Republic under Siad Barre’s rule.

The earliest and most prominent organized guerilla force to challenge the Siad Barre
administration was the Somali National Movement (SNM), which was primarily deemed by
the government as supported by members of the Isaaq clan. The SNM took control of most of
North-Western Somalia during the following several years. North-Western Somalia,
comprising Hargeisa and other local capitals, was successfully taken over by the SNM by the
start of 1991.

The territory that had been British Somaliland prior to its independence and union with the
former Italian province of Somaliland was declared an independent Republic of Somaliland
by the organization in May 1991.

The rise in uprisings and attacks regarding Somaliland's independence in 1990 served as the
catalyst for the massacre of Isaaq civilians. Barre ordered the demolition of Isaaq residences,
communities, and water supplies in addition to aerial bombing and shelling of the major
northwest cities.
The genocide played a significant role in further destroying the already weakened internal
peace of Somalia.

Peacekeeping Efforts in the Region

Over the course of two decades, numerous peacekeeping attempts were made to manage the
situation. The United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM), which was launched in
1992 with the goal of restoring stability, was one of the first actions took against the conflict .
However, the mission faced growing violence, particularly in Mogadishu. The U.S. withdrew
its forces and reevaluated its foreign policy following the deaths of eighteen soldiers. In 1995,
the United Nations withdrew its forces from the region.

In 2000, the Transitional National Government (TNG) was established as the result of the
Arta Peace Conference. Rival parties seeking to rule the nation continued nonetheless, and
the TNG found it difficult to maintain power.

With support from the international community, the Transitional Federal Government
reemerged in 2004. With a military intervention planned for 2006, Ethiopia planned to back
the TFG in its fight against the Union of Islamic Courts, a group that sought to bring sharia
law in order to establish stability. However, this intervention made the conflict more intense.

The African Union (AU) made an effort to deal with the shifting circumstances as well. The
AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), was created in 2007 and was primarily made up of
African forces. AMISOM aimed to stabilize the nation, safeguard the TFG and battle rival
groups like Al-Shabaab, a militant organization that resisted peace attempts.

The Transitional Federal Government was established in 2008 as a result of the Djibouti
Peace Process, and it subsequently transformed into the Federal Government of Somalia.
However, difficulties remained since Al-Shabaab maintained control over extensive
territories.

The conflict since 2009 to present

Since 2009, the violence has been primarily centered in southern and central Somalia. The
battle mainly involves the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), backed by African Union
peacekeeping troops, against the al-Shabaab insurgent group, which is affiliated with
al-Qaeda. Al-Shabaab rose to prominence and seized territory following the Ethiopian
invasion in 2006.

The withdrawal of Ethiopian forces in 2009 came at a critical time, as al-Shabaab and its
allies increased their fight to the newly elected Transitional Federal Government (TFG).
Despite challenges, the Kenyan invasion in 2011 and following developments resulted in the
loss of important regions for al-Shabaab, causing the group to shift its attention to guerilla
tactics.

The 14-year AMISOM operation ended in March 2022. The African Union Transition
Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), commanded by Somalis, succeeded it. The African Union has
been giving up bases to the Somali Armed Forces since June, and the African Union has
begun to wind down its peacekeeping role in the country, with AU personnel finally
departing by the end of 2024. [5]

Widespread displacement remains an ongoing issue today since instability brought on by

conflict compels a great number of Somalis to flee their homes and seek safety in
overcrowded, frequently inadequate camps. These internally displaced people have difficult
living circumstances, are more susceptible to illness, and have restricted access to basic
services. [2]
Timeline of Key Events

October 21, 1969 Siad Barre seizes power in a coup,

marking the beginning of his regime

July 1977 - March 1978 Somalia invades Ethiopia,

leading to the Ogaden War. Relations between
the two nations become strained

January 26, 1991 Siad Barre's regime collapses, resulting in

power vacuums and the onset of civil unrest

1992 Operation Restore Hope is initiated by the

United Nations to address humanitarian
concerns in Somalia.

October 4, 1993 Battle of Mogadishu occurs, resulting in

the death of 18 American soldiers and
influencing U.S. policy

1995 The United Nations withdraws from Somalia.

This leaves the country in a state of anarchy.

April 2000 The TNG is established in order to restore

central governance.

2000 The ICU gains control over Mogadishu,

thereby creating a shift in power dynamics.

2006 Ethiopia intervenes to counter the ICU,

leading to the Somali-Ethiopian War.

2007 AMISOM is put into action by the

African Union with the goal of stabilizing
the country.

2008 The TFG and moderate Islamist groups sign

a peace agreement in Djibouti.

2009 Ethiopian troops withdraw from Somalia

 October 14, 2011 Al-Shabaab carries out a truck bombing
in Mogadishu killing over 100 people.

2011 Al-Shabaab withdraws from the

capital, Mogadishu

2011 Kenya launches Operation Linda Nchi

against Al-Shabaab.

2012 The TFG evolves into the FGS, with

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as president.

2012 Combined forces retake the

port city of Kismayo from Al-Shabaab.

July 11, 2010 Al-Shabaab conducts bombings in Kampala,

Uganda, resulting in over 70 deaths.

October 29, 2017 A massive truck bombing in Mogadishu kills

more than 500 people.

December 28, 2019 A car bomb targeting a busy junction in Ex-Control

Afgoye, near Mogadishu, killsover 90 people.

2024 Ongoing humanitarian issues include displacement,

famine risk, and limited access to
basic services.

Previous Attempts to Resolve the Issue

The Somali Civil War is a complex issue that has been going on for over three decades. Due
to the fragile nature of the state and deep-rooted history of factions in the region, previous
attempts have failed to end the conflict. Nevertheless, these attempts have helped improve the
situation to a certain degree.

During the Cold War in the 1980s, when the rivalry between Russia and the United States
was at its peak, both nations extended financial and military support to the Somali
government who aimed to gain influence in the Horn of Africa. However, assistance from the
two countries failed to prevent the outbreak of the civil war in 1991.

The Djibouti Peace Conference was one of the earliest diplomatic efforts towards maintaining
peace between factions and rival groups in Somalia. Despite the temporary improvements
after the conference, this did not provide a long lasting solution and violence in the country
continued to escalate.

International involvement gained momentum when the United Nations launched Operation
Restore Hope in 1992. The operation involved the deployment ofUN Peacekeeping troops to
high-risk areas as well as providing humanitarian aid to civilians faced with famine and
unrest. The Battle of Mogadishu in 1993 led to the withdrawal of most troops. By 1995, the
UN had withdrawn all troops in Somalia, leaving the nation to fend for itself. [3]

The Transitional National Government of Somalia was established in 2000, with the goal of
restoring central governance. However, the TNG struggled to extend its power beyond
Mogadishu and experienced various internal problems.

Firther diplomatic efforts included the Nairobi Declaration in 2004, in which several Somali
factions agreed to discussion and reconciliation, and the Djibouti Peace Process in 2008,
which resulted in the Djibouti Agreement. Despite these diplomatic initiatives, the
implementation of the two agreements was unsuccessful.

Lastly, The Somali National Security Architecture, launched in 2017. This initiative was
greatly supported by the international community and aimed to establish capable security
forces to confront the ongoing security threats posed by extremist groups such as Al-Shabaab.

Possible Solutions
With a conflict as deep-rooted and multifaceted as the Somali Civil War at hand, it may be
difficult to come up with solutions that haven’t been previously implemented. That is why
delegates are encouraged to approach the issue with innovative and nuanced solutions.

Ensuring representation in decision making platforms could be a contributor to stability in

Somalia. The clan-based nature of the Somali society and the rivalries that this structure
brings is one of the main challenges that Somalia faces when attempting to achieve peace
within the country. Constitutional reforms and power-sharing agreements can help achieve
equitable representation for all clans and communities.

Developing new and effective counterterrorism strategies to combat extremist groups is

another way of addressing the growing rates of instability in the nation. This can be achieved
with the help of the UN and other international partners. These strategies may include;
military operations, intelligence sharing networks, capacity building programs and equipment
provision.

Extending humanitarian aid to Somali citizens struggling with famine, displacement and most
importantly constant security threats is a crucial step in reducing the state’s fragility. Creating
programs and services as well as establishing nonprofit organizations focused on improving
the humanitarian situation in the region can be a step towards stability.

Conclusion

The prolonged conflict of the Somali Civil War, compounded by factors like clan-based
rivalries, economic hardships, and persistent security threats, underscores the complexity of
achieving lasting peace in the nation. The GA3 committee serves as a crucial platform for
international cooperation and all delegates are encouraged to find innovative solutions that
can help address the issue.
Appendix/Appendices

1. World Report 2024: Rights trends in Somalia. Human Rights Watch. (2024, January
11). [Link]
2. International Committee of the Red Cross. (2023, April 4). Somalia food crisis –
drought, conflict and the fight for survival.
[Link]
ival
3. Healy, S., & Bradbury, M. (2010, February 1). Endless war: a brief history of the
Somali conflict. Conciliation Resources.
[Link]
4. Section 2: Overview of conflict in Somalia from conflict in Somalia: JSTOR. (2005,
January 1). [Link]
5. Somali peace process. AMISOM. (n.d.).
[Link]

Bibliography

1. Healy, S., & Bradbury, M. (2010, February 1). Endless war: a brief history of the
Somali conflict. Conciliation Resources.
[Link]
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[Link]
3. HRW. (2022, January 13). World Report 2022: Rights trends in Somalia. Human
Rights Watch. [Link]
4. International Committee of the Red Cross. (2023, April 4). Somalia food crisis –
drought, conflict and the fight for survival.
 [Link]
ival
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8. Section 2: Overview of conflict in Somalia from conflict in Somalia:: ... JSTOR.
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9. Somali Peace Agreements. African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of
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[Link]
omali%20peace%20agreements_2010_ENG.pdf
10. Somali peace process. AMISOM. (n.d.).
[Link]
11. World Report 2024: Rights trends in Somalia. Human Rights Watch. (2024, January
11). [Link]
Clauses :