REVERSING STATE FAILURE IN SOMALIA: POLICY AREAS AND POLITICAL PROCESSES IN NEED OF CHANGE

In 2012, after over twenty years of being a failed state in conflict with the neighbours and a mosaic of warring clans and religious factions, Somalia was offered a chance to become a functioning country. With extensive foreign support, the Somalis adopted a provisional constitution, and elected a parliament, which elected a president. In 2013 Somalia signed a Compact that contained detailed plan for rebuilding state structures and institutions for the following there years. However, the implementation of the plan faces a multitude of challenges, including among others the particular interests of clan leaders, Al-Quaeda-supported Al-Shabab militia, and lack of perspectives for the young generation. What the state needs besides continued external support is the bottom-up process of establishing authorities and young leaders.