THE DIFFICULTIES OF NATION-BUILDING IN SOMALIA, 1960-1990

Abstract

Somalia is among those African states that are still facing many challenges in their efforts to build the fragile state bequeathed to them by the colonial masters since the 1950s. The period 1960 to 1990, represents a crucial era in Somalia’s efforts in its nation-building project. Many factors both internal and external are responsible for the complications faced in the nation-building project by Somalia and Africa in general. Hence, a proper understanding of the actual interplay of those factors that poses a challenge to Somalia’s nation-building efforts will help in understanding the causes of the state’s failure, particularly in Somalia. While the internal factors have been given more attention, very little has been said about the role of the external factors, albeit, the effort has been made to investigate these factors. Thus, this article’s principal objective is to shift from focusing exclusively on internal factors to an all-inclusive analysis of the challenges faced by Somalia. The article argues that it is the external influences that have worsened the internal factors which has played a crucial role in pushing Somalia to become a failed State. This article concludes that the view that the sources of Somalia’s failure originated solely from the society’s tribal nature is incorrect.