Somaliland Flashcards
1
Q
How can success of an intervention be measured?
A
- government structures: democracy, freedom of speech, one-person-one-vote
- economic systems: economic growth
- health and education: mortality rates, expected years of schooling
- infrastructure
2
Q
What is the problem with looking at migration of refugees?
A
- usually reflects conflict but can also reflect poverty and natural hazards
- misses out smuggling, trafficking and those who die on the way and can be wrong due to incorrect data entry
- does not reflect the impact of aid on host countries
3
Q
When did Somali and Somaliland declare independence?
A
- Somalia declared in 1960, is recognised
- Somaliland declared in 1991, is not recognised
- aftermath of collapse of Siad Barre regime
4
Q
How can democracy be measured?
A
- freedom of speech and equality indexes
- economic development (not always though)
- education (awareness of rights leads to democratic reform)
- how well conflicts are resolved + frequency of conflicts
- GINI coefficient (high value can be indicative of dictatorial or corrupt rule)
5
Q
When did the Somali Civil War start?
A
- 1991 out of resistance against Siad Barre’s military rule and several droughts
- still ongoing
6
Q
What were the events of the Somali Civil War?
A
- Was triggered when Siad Barre was deposed and left power vacuum
- initially fought over by USC and SNA who were opposed Barre
- in 2009, Al Qaeda and Al Shabab started fighting against African Union peacekeeping forces and new Somali government
- Al Shabab withdrew from Mogadishu but now orchestrate attacks and killings and control countryside
7
Q
How is democracy in Somalia?
A
- new constitution and parliament in 2012
- is stable but is being undermined by Al Shabab
- last elections in 2021, fairness is disputed as votes have been sold
8
Q
How has Al Shabab affected Mogadishu?
A
- rampages in countryside means that people flee to Mogadishu
- places services in Mogadishu under stress causing tensions
9
Q
How have IGOs played a role in the Somali Civil War?
A
- 1991-93: UNSC established UNSOM 1 + 2 to provide humanitarian relief and establish peace to allow aid to be delivered
- 2000: created Transitional Government with Arab League, undermined by Al Shabab
- hosted peace talks to create Federal government of Somali from Transitional Government, strong governance and anti corruption, democracy is instated
10
Q
What involvement has the US had in Somalia?
A
- allied with Somalia after USSR backed Ethiopia in 1977 war
- backs Somalia to create largest army in Africa
- extended runway in Berbera to handle space shuttle
- US troops deployed against rebels in Civil War
- suffered huge losses and were withdrawn by Clinton
11
Q
Why is piracy big in Somalia?
A
- lack of stable governance means that economic opportunities do not exist and crime is left unchecked
- piracy brings large amounts of money
- operations are treated like shares on stock market
- fishing can no longer be done as easily off Somali coast
12
Q
How weak is governance in Somalia?
A
- legal system is so slow that people are turning to Al Shabab to settle disputes
13
Q
What was done in Siad Barre’s rule?
A
- Supreme Court and parliament were removed
- Barre had unchecked power, authoritarian rule
- however also invested in large scale public projects
- increased literacy and links with Arab World
14
Q
What role did the USSR play in Somalia?
A
- Barre’s regime initally united Islamic law and Marxist ideology
- aligned with USSR
- USSR provided Somalia with weapons, planes and runways
15
Q
How many people were displaced in the Somali Civil War ?
A
- 1.1 million
- 30 000 left Kenyan camps for Somalia in 2014
- 80 000 to 100 000 have resettled back in total
- however are returning back due to terror attacks in Mogadishu
- 300 in 1 month in 2018
16
Q
How are human rights in Somalia?
A
- average life expectancy is 58.5 years, result of focus on ministry of health and natural hazard response
17
Q
How is gender equality in Somalia?
A
- 40% of girls are educated
- FGM is at 98%
- 24% of MPs are female
18
Q
How is education in Somalia?
A
- 27% of children enrolled in schools/yr
- worse in rural areas
- universities are amongst best scoring in Africa
19
Q
What is freedom of speech like in Somalia?
A
- no such thing as freedom of information law (no transparency)
- defamation is a crime
- interviews can lead to jail sentences
- 12 journalists killed every year, mostly by Al Shabab
20
Q
What is the economic state of Somaliland?
A
- GDP is $7.6bn ,through remittances and agriculture
- per capita is up from $9 to $499
- DP World (TNC) has invested in Port of Berbera in Gulf of Aden
- increased tourism (beaches, caves)
21
Q
What is the economic state of Somalia?
A
- GDP is $4.98bn, secondary and primary sector
- most investment in private sector
- funded by diaspora
- eg. Hotels, transport
22
Q
How is governance in Somaliland?
A
- low tax income, dependant on remittances
- voting occurs along ethnic lines
- suggests national identity has not yet been established
- declared Africa’s strongest multi-party democracy by The Economist
23
Q
How is freedom of speech in Somaliland?
A
- 2004 press law means libel and defamation are not crimes
- journalists have been arrested and then let go
- internet radio stations are growing
- low literacy rates means information is not easy to reach
24
Q
How is gender equality in Somaliland?
A
- 100% of girls are educated, up from 40%
- FGM is down from 97.5% to 25% (social and religious awareness campaign))
- women have no representation in parliament
25
Q
How is education in Somaliland?
A
- 26% of boys and 22% of girls have attended school
- 45% in urban, 10% in rural
26
Q
What is health like in Somaliland?
A
- average life expectancy is 56.5 years
- focus on FGM and maternal mortality
