Somalia, a failed state. The participation of international organisations in the Horn of Africa (1992-2012)

Abstract

During the period from 1992 to 2012, many UN resolutions have addressed the conflict to provide and facilitate a peaceful solution. The involvement of the international community has been persistent in both political and humanitarian ways. In 1991, the fall of the Siyad Barre regime plunged the Somali people into a context of chaos and anarchy in which the country's social structure played a very important role as an inter-clan civil war led to a wave of extreme violence and the threat of the country's extinction. Thus, UN intervention in the territory materialised in 1992 with the UNOSOM operation, which called for a ceasefire and reconciliation between the parties in order to restore peace and stability. Nonetheless, the complexity of the situation could not be addressed by the international community so, after several peace interventions, both by the UN and other international organisations, the Horn of Africa is still struggling to achieve full self-governance and stability in its territory. Over the past twenty years, it has been demonstrated that Somalia's geographic and geopolitical position, as well as its internal organisation, have been the greatest source of instability. In this way, elements such as the interests of neighbouring countries, the increase in piracy, the financing of extremist Islamic groups, warlords and even the economic system itself increase the difficulty of the situation by intertwining and materialising as interdependent elements. Thus, through UNOSOM I and II and AMISOM's mandate, the international community has put on the table various options for the future of the Horn of Africa, all the while ensuring the security of the population and the peaceful transition towards the creation of effective political institutions.