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This policy brief examines the opportunities and challenges associated with Somalia's admission to the East African Community (EAC) in March 2024. It analyzes the strategic, economic, and security implications for both Somalia and the bloc, highlighting the tension between the political will for integration and the institutional, legal, and security fragilities within Somalia.

This report analyzes the demographic trends and development prospects for the Horn of Africa countries—Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan—up to 2040, focusing on population growth, fertility rates, the potential for a demographic dividend, and urbanization patterns.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies argues that stabilisation in Somalia requires a shift from a predominantly military-led approach to one that integrates non-military strategies. The author identifies five critical factors for sustainable peace: inclusive political reconciliation among clans, context-appropriate policing, basic infrastructural development, investment in women and youth, and the coordination of external partners.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the territorial dispute between the self-declared state of Somaliland and the autonomous Puntland State of Somalia over the Sool and Sanaag regions. It analyzes the intersection of colonial legacies, clan dynamics, and national political tensions that drive conflict and hinder resolution.

This policy brief argues that the 2021 deadline for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to transfer primary security responsibilities to the Somali National Security Forces (SNSF) is unrealistic. The author contends that the transition is currently driven more by donor funding preferences than by actual security improvements on the ground. To ensure a successful transition, the brief recommends enhancing AMISOM's operational capabilities and resolving the political deadlock between the Federal Government of Somalia and its federal member states.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the political stability and challenges facing Somaliland, a self-declared republic that operates with de facto independence from Somalia. While praised as a rare success story of democracy and stability in the Horn of Africa, the report argues that this progress is fragile due to delayed elections, a lack of international recognition, the rise of Salafism, and border disputes with Puntland and the Somali Federal Government.

The March 2015 Peace & Security Council (PSC) Report details the African Union's efforts to address security crises in Mali, the Lake Chad Basin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia, emphasizing the need for coordinated action between African and international partners.

This report recommends establishing a Trusted Third Party (TTP) system and a biometric-based recipient registration process to manage AML/CFT risks in the UK-Somalia remittance corridor. It proposes a pilot phase in 2015 involving 500 customers to test these mechanisms, which include contactless cards and TTP-led audits of Money Service Businesses (MSBs) to ensure the legitimacy of fund disbursements in Somalia.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the radicalisation and recruitment processes of al-Shabaab in Somalia. Based on interviews with 88 former fighters and seven off-the-record sources, the study identifies a complex interplay of religious identity, socio-economic hardship, and political instability as primary drivers for recruitment, while highlighting the critical role of peer influence and the organisation's sophisticated intelligence capabilities.

This situation report by the Institute for Security Studies analyses the conclusion of Somalia's third transitional arrangement in August 2012. It examines the milestones achieved, the challenges that threatened the process, the factors contributing to its success, and the lessons learned for future peace initiatives in Africa.

The October 2012 Peace and Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies provides detailed country analyses of Somalia, South Sudan, and Côte d’Ivoire, focusing on political transitions, security vulnerabilities, and the role of regional and international bodies in stabilizing these nations.

This October 2012 report by the Institute for Security Studies provides early warning analysis and country-specific assessments for Somalia, South Sudan, and Côte d'Ivoire, focusing on political transitions, security architecture, and regional stability within the framework of the African Union's Peace and Security Council (PSC).

On 20 August 2012, 215 parliamentarians were sworn in at the Mogadishu airport, marking the first such ceremony on Somali soil in over two decades and a key milestone in ending the country's transitional period.

This August 2012 report by the Institute for Security Studies provides early warning analyses on political and security crises in Mali, Libya, Angola, and Somalia, while examining the evolving role of China in African peace and security efforts.

This January 2012 report by the Institute for Security Studies provides an analysis of the African Union's Peace and Security Council (PSC) activities, focusing on political transitions in Egypt, the security situation in Somalia, and the internal functioning of AU mechanisms for democracy and military coordination.

This briefing analyzes the implications of Kenya's 'Operation Linda Nchi', a military offensive launched in October 2011 against Al-Shabaab in Somalia. The operation aims to establish a 100 km buffer zone to prevent incursions and protect Kenya's tourism industry, but it risks transforming Kenya from a victim of Al-Shabaab's activities into a direct target, while potentially increasing economic burdens and complicating Somalia's political roadmap.

This research paper examines the role of Uganda in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), highlighting the tension between peacekeeping efforts and allegations of ulterior motives related to oil and mineral resources. It specifically discusses the controversy surrounding Saracen Security, a company owned by the brother of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, and the potential for these activities to undermine the legitimacy of AMISOM and the Transitional Federal Government (TFG).

This seminar report analyzes the political instability in Somalia following the establishment of Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed's government. It highlights the rise of radical Islamist groups like Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam, the 'talibanization' of governed areas, and the government's failure to produce policy documents or engage key social and political stakeholders despite ongoing peace agreements.

This situation report from the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the structure, ideology, and strategic evolution of Al-Shabaab in Somalia as of June 2009. It examines the group's emergence following the Ethiopian military intervention in 2006 and its current efforts to undermine the National Unity Government led by President Sheikh Sharif.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the rise of piracy off the coast of Somalia as a symptom of the failure of national, regional, and global security systems. It argues that the international community's focus on the US-led Global War on Terror has led to misplaced priorities, allowing piracy to proliferate due to the collapse of the Somali state and the inefficiency of regional bodies like IGAD.