Investigating the challenges facing state building in Somalia: the case of Somalia

The main objective of the study was to assess the challenges facing state-building in Somalia. Specifically, the study wanted to understand what hinders state-building in Somalia by exploring how warring militias influence state-building, the ways in which sea piracy hinders the efforts of state-building, how external interventions affect the state-building efforts, as well as plotting the way forward for state-building in Somalia. The study employed a qualitative research design, whereas both secondary and primary data were used to identify challenges facing state-building in Somalia. A desk review was applied to get secondary information which filled the literature review while interviews were used to collect primary data whereby 40 respondents were included in the study. The study findings reveal that warring militias, like Al-Shabaab, are an obstacle for state-building in Somalia, as they cause killing of the people and undermine rule of law. But also, they spoil the efforts of state-building in order to safeguard their narrow interests in a war economy. This phenomenon has caused the destruction of economic and educational infrastructure as well as health facilities that are key components for building a state in any country. Also, sea piracy is an indicator of the breakdown of the political system, since there is no national authority, national army, nor law and order, there is an absence of national security on land and at sea. Sea-piracy is operated using modern military weapons and techniques. The respondents maintain that many young men are involved in sea-piracy. Although, on the other hand, pirates in some Somali eyes are seen as heroes because they are fighting to gain back their resources. So, it is likely to say that for some Somali people piracy exists because they are protecting their country on the ocean. But, it was also seen as an obstacle for state-building in Somalia. The data also indicates that efforts made by external actors to resolve the Somali conflict have not yet achieved tangible results because the external actors seem to favor some of the clans by providing them with military equipment while those clans undermine the rights of other clans. The Somalia conflict has become an economic deal for exporters of weapons to Somalia to support the warlords. In addition, external interventions have added fuel to the fire for they are in favor to those who deny rights of others. Finally, for the sake of a Somali peace that will pave the way for state-building, there should be cooperation between internal and external efforts. This is because a combination of the efforts brings hope to the people to understand that they are part of the world community and they should care for their welfare.