SOMALIA | How Did It Become a Failed State?

Somalia has come to exemplify the concept of a failed state in international relations. Throughout the 1990s and into the new millennium, it experienced the full range of problems associated with a catastrophic state collapse: starvation, disease, conflict, foreign intervention, secessionism, warlordism, organised crime, terrorism, piracy and mass refugee outflows. So, how did Somalia become a failed state? And why is concern growing again?

Hello and welcome! My name is James Ker-Lindsay. Here I take an informed look at International Relations with a focus on territorial conflicts, secession, independence movements and new countries. If you like what you see, please do subscribe. If you want more, including exclusive content and benefits, consider becoming a channel member. Many thanks!

Somalia became independent as the Somali Republic in 1960. However, in 1969, the democratic government fell and a military regime was imposed under General Mohamed Siad Barre. Following the fall of the dictatorial Barre regime in early 1991, the country collapsed into clan factionalism and warlordism. As well as the loss of basic public services, the country soon became a humanitarian disaster with starvation, disease and conflict. International efforts to secure the situation at the start of the 1990s - an effort led by the United Nations and the United States - would eventually ended in disaster when it came up against the country's most powerful warlord, Mohamed Farah Aidid. This in turn saw the country spend another decade and a half immersed in instability. This in turn saw a rise in Islamic extremism and piracy. That said, in recent years there has been some improvement. The danger is that this is not at risk from the behaviour of the country's president, who has tried to extend his term of office.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction and Titles
0:43 Failed States and the Case of Somalia
2:13 Geography and Demography of Somalia
3:24 The History of Somalia
4:40 Post-Independence and the Barre Regime
7:06 The collapse of Somalia in 1991
8:45 Somalia in the 2000s
10:05 A return to stability in Somalia?

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[JamesKerLindsay]

Next week marks the 30th anniversary of Somaliland's Declaration of Independence, on 18 May 1991. It therefore seemed like a good moment to look at the story behind its separation from Somalia, which took place as the country descended into chaos.

Meanwhile, although Somalia has come to be regarded as the model of a failed state, in recent years it has been more widely referred to as a 'fragile state" or a 'rebuilding state'. But this has recently been cast into doubt by renewed political stability in the country. So, how do you see the situation in Somalia developing?

[alexjoseph]

Once again, amazing video, somehow summarizing the ‘un-summarize-able’ while not leaving out significant details or context.

[briancops]

Once again a top-quality video! Amazing work James!!

[FarahAbdul]

I was hoping you would have add this to your analyzing.
1. The land that was in the hands of somalis before the colonial powers came was divided up into five regions not three. Djibouti Eastern Ethiopia Somaliland Somalia and Northern frontier district of Kenya and handing over a land that belong to somalis you automatically created an enemy for Somali people which turn out to be Ethiopia and Kenya.
2. The Democratic government of Somalia was overthrowing by the dictator in 1969 the Cold war superpowers USSR and the United States have created the monster dictator by arming him to the teeth.
3. The 1977 war against Ethiopia to get our land back, Ethiopia was defeated in that war until Cuba South Yemen Libya Russia enter the war and drove out the Somali troops from Western Somalia which they considered to be Eastern Ethiopia which is still occupied by Ethiopia today.
4. After the collapse of the Somali government in 1991 the five member security council placed a weapons embargo on Somalia in 1992 and is still in place to this day to make sure Somalia never acquires heavy weapons to bring security and stability in Somalia.
5. Ethiopia which is an enemy of Somalia was responsible for Western governments to make sure instability never comes into Somalia by constantly arming different groups in Somalia. In 2006 when some resemblance of peace came into Somalia by the Islamic courts and Ethiopia saw peace was coming into Somalia the United States give them the green light to invade Somalia which is against the international law.
6. In 2006 the United States requested different warlords in Somalia to start arresting Islamic scholars in Somalia which led to the Islamic courts to defending themselves from the warlords and finally defeated them therefore the United States was directly responsible for the creation and uprising of the Islamic courts which now leads to modern-day al-shabaab.
7. The international illegal fishing of Somali Waters led to a small groups of somalis to start arming themselves when those international ships start to destroy their fishing nets. The problem came when the owners of those ships start to pay Ransom to free their ships leading to the creation of the pirates who were simply an ordinary fishermen who were being harassed by international ships illegally in Somali Waters.
8. The African Union troops in Somalia are there to protect the international community not the Somali people from al-shabaab. Everybody knows somalis will never allow military's from Western Nations to go around in Somalia trying to bring about peace. But they have became clever by using pathetic Africans from the continent.
9. Prove me wrong lift the weapons embargo and Somalia will lead East Africa.

[hamsehistory]

I felt sadness and sorrow when u said that Somalia is related with bad things such as Piracy, terrorism, crimes, secessionist .
Although somalia is not only collapsed because of internal conflict but once a day sooner or later Somalia wll be back and rise from the Ash .

[TheLocalLt]

Another great video!

In my opinion, Gen. Siad Barre was crazy at times but knew the only way to prevent his overthrow was to win a battlefield victory to secure Somali ethnic lands. These types of bold knee jerk moves had kept Somalia in line for 30 years. I think there are some countries that simply can only be held together by a dictatorship, Socialist or otherwise but obviously preferably not, due to their long-term or short-term instability. As far as long-term, Russia is probably one of these countries, Libya has demonstrated itself as such, Burma has as well, but certainly Somalia is on a whole different level when it comes to this phenomenon.

However now, even with the country stitched somewhat back together, due to the history of Siad Barre any move towards further empowerment of the central government or its leaders, such as that which you discuss in this video, threatens to plunge the country back into civil war.

The precedent has been set that through clan warfare you can just militarily break with and replace the central government if you don’t like it. None of these clam leaders has any interest in losing their authority to a dictator from another clan, so any central government will be weak and thus prone to yet more civil warfare. No other country, and yes I’m including the rest of the most conflict-laden countries in the world, seems to be in such a quagmire.

[DibigaIskaEeg]

another top quality video from James, insightful, detailed & honest

[abiibabiib]

Truth is hard, propaganda is cheap.
Somalia leaders lead their country powerless and lifeless but Somaliland is a different country with the only democracy in the horn.

[juninhofreekick]

I appreciate how you trace d history of most conflicts in Africa to the devastating effects of colonialism. The number one failed state is Somalia, next is present day Nigeria under Bihari. Hopefully crumbled Nigeria may lead to BIAFRA. I enjoy all your videos.

[rogerdarthwell]

Watching a James Ker Lindsay video is the perfect way to start the weekend, thank you for this interesting video!

[dahirabdi]

Thank you James for this well informed video.
I would however like to add this, there is so much foreign interests and influence in to the current political crisis in Somalia.
Neighbours like Ethiopia and Kenya mostly acting on behalf of the west, turkey, Qatar.
Having said that the current president Farmajo has acted unconstitutionally by extending his term which almost sparked another civil war.

[yamkeladlamini]

Amazing work. I am working on a political stability analysis paper and this video has helped me in understanding better what is happening in Somalia.

[indonesiansasquatch]

Thank you so much for this breakdown!

Fingers crossed Farmajo will see reason and hold elections soon. Would likely help the Ethiopian-Eritrean navy prospects too if stability could be maintained, but of course that will likely depend on Tigray too.

[killerpotato]

Great video as always. What are your views on micro nations. Will you ever make a video on them

[Bleach]

Ugh, I didn't even see this was uploaded. As Always thank you for the video James. While I was aware of Somalia's situation it's great to hear you describe it. It's certainly a nation that could re-stabilize but its at risk of sliding back to where it was very easily

[Hoheit]

I am old enough to remember when Africa was nearly completely all colonies of European powers. I remember much of what happened since by listening to your wonderful explanation. This is such an interesting contrast to how so many other countries develop after colonialism, though as Somalia is mostly all the same people rather than so many European devised "countries" with unbelievable mixtures of peoples.
Somaliland is one of my favored countries to become recognized and join the international community as they are doing so well with what they have in resources. Together with the Sahrawis of Western Sahara, the Somaliland people deserve to be recognized.
Do you feel Somalia will ever get rid of the narrow minded, bigoted thinking which is holding them all captive to a failed state? Could this end, and if so, how? Isn't this something like China was in the 19th century under local war lords, keeping within ones "clan" and speaking the local Chinese dialect. All almost like individual states fighting others and controlling the masses by loyalties and force? This ended in the clash between authoritarian democracy and communism. People's Republic of China vs. Taiwan, Republic of China. Another fascinating country. Thanks Dr. Kerr-Lindsay

[omarmohamed]

Thank you for another insightful video. Keep up the good work.

[TheShanewalsh]

Thanks a lot for this James. Information shall set us free

[thetruthSL]

Thank you for stating the facts James. Much appreciated.

[akhalif]

Very useful with informative inside knowledge of the situation. We somalis we have to defend any unhealthy foreign intervention whatever future may hold. Rahimullah Gen mohamed farah Aided legacy and those before him never failed but alive. Thanks very much for your analysis.