Factors influencing the achievement of sustainable peace in Somalia

Abstract

This project report has identified the factors influencing achievement of sustainable peace in former Italian Somaliland (currently known as Somalia) since 1960. The study was conducted with the objective of establishing the internal and external factors influencing sustainable peace in Somalia. The factors studied are Clanism, Religion, politics, economy, piracy, and peace agreements, United Nations, United States, Italy, African Union, Al-Qaeda and the Arab League. It also explored possible solutions that can be employed to achieve sustainable peace in Somalia. From the literature reviewed, Somalia has not been able to achieve sustainable peace since the ousting of President Siad Barre in 1991, despite many peace agreements and therefore the need to investigate the factors that could be causing this deadlock. To achieve the objectives of this study primary data was collected by use of open-ended questionnaires and direct observation. The questionnaires were addressed to the Head of Somalia Programs in the respective agencies. The data collected was analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics where frequency distribution tables and percentage were used. The study found that the internal factors of clanism and religion can be positively influenced to bring back peace in Somalia while piracy, politics and the economy were seen to be hindering efforts for sustainable peace.