A Foreign Policy Actor of Importance? The Role of the Somali Diaspora in Shaping Norwegian Foreign Policy

The research explores the role of the Norwegian-Somali community as a foreign policy actor, bridging the gap between 'ethnic lobby' literature and transnational migration studies. Through interviews and case analysis, the authors argue that the diaspora successfully influenced Norway's shift to criticize Ethiopia's 2006-2007 military intervention in Somalia and encouraged the creation of the Special Financing Facility (Trust Fund) to support the Somali government. The study identifies key enabling factors for this influence, including the diaspora's concentration in urban centers like Oslo, their high level of political engagement, and their ability to provide Norwegian decision-makers with direct access to Somali political elites. However, the authors note that the diaspora is not a unitary actor, with significant internal divisions based on clan and region, such as the Somaliland diaspora's unsuccessful lobbying for independent state recognition.

• The Somali diaspora in Norway successfully influenced a shift in Norwegian foreign policy, leading the state to publicly criticize Ethiopia's military intervention in Somalia in 2006-2007.
• Norwegian-Somalis influenced the decision to establish the Special Financing Facility (Trust Fund), a risky bilateral project to support the Somali government's financial needs, despite a general lack of trust from other international donors.
• The diaspora's influence is amplified by their geographical concentration in urban centers, particularly Oslo, which increases their electoral significance for local politicians.
• Norwegian decision-makers valued the diaspora's ability to act as bridge-builders, providing direct access and networks to political leaders within Somalia.
• The Somali diaspora is not a monolithic group; it is fragmented by clan, sub-clan, and region of origin, leading to divergent political goals.
• While the diaspora can influence existing policy directions, they are unable to change fundamental state positions that conflict with Norway's strategic interests, such as the recognition of Somaliland as an independent state.
• A small number of Norwegian-Somalis gained significant influence by penetrating elite networks through senior positions in large NGOs, political parties, or research institutions.
• The relationship between the Norwegian state and the diaspora is reciprocal; the state's inclusive diaspora policies increased the group's resources and access, while the diaspora provided the state with intercultural competency and local networks.

APA

Peace Research Institute Oslo (n.d.). A Foreign Policy Actor of Importance? The Role of the Somali Diaspora in Shaping Norwegian Foreign Policy. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/71e8d423-26c0-4d48-a74a-84efe92d83f4/A Foreign Policy Actor of Importance The Role of the Somali Diaspora in Shaping Norwegian Policy towards Somalia.pdf?inline=true

Chicago

Peace Research Institute Oslo. A Foreign Policy Actor of Importance? The Role of the Somali Diaspora in Shaping Norwegian Foreign Policy. n.d. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/71e8d423-26c0-4d48-a74a-84efe92d83f4/A Foreign Policy Actor of Importance The Role of the Somali Diaspora in Shaping Norwegian Policy towards Somalia.pdf?inline=true.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Peace Research Institute Oslo |title=A Foreign Policy Actor of Importance? The Role of the Somali Diaspora in Shaping Norwegian Foreign Policy |url=https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/71e8d423-26c0-4d48-a74a-84efe92d83f4/A Foreign Policy Actor of Importance The Role of the Somali Diaspora in Shaping Norwegian Policy towards Somalia.pdf?inline=true |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{peaceresearchinstituteoslondforeign, author = {{Peace Research Institute Oslo}}, title = {{A Foreign Policy Actor of Importance? The Role of the Somali Diaspora in Shaping Norwegian Foreign Policy}}, institution = {Peace Research Institute Oslo}, url = {https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/71e8d423-26c0-4d48-a74a-84efe92d83f4/A Foreign Policy Actor of Importance The Role of the Somali Diaspora in Shaping Norwegian Policy towards Somalia.pdf?inline=true}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }