The Somali nation and the hazards of the nation-state model in the horn of Africa: lessons from Somaliland

AbstractThe paper aims to evaluate the risks associated with the Western nation-state model in the Horn of Africa (HoA). Specifically, it examines the effects of the nation-state model adopted by the Somali people in the region. The work was done qualitatively, using data gathered from secondary sou...

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Main Author: Endalcachew Bayeh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Cogent Social Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2024.2302802
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author Endalcachew Bayeh
author_facet Endalcachew Bayeh
author_sort Endalcachew Bayeh
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description AbstractThe paper aims to evaluate the risks associated with the Western nation-state model in the Horn of Africa (HoA). Specifically, it examines the effects of the nation-state model adopted by the Somali people in the region. The work was done qualitatively, using data gathered from secondary sources. The study’s findings indicate that the Somali nationalism/nation-state project has both internal and external destabilizing effects. Internally, it caused tensions within clans, and externally, it supported the self-determination of Somali-speaking territories in neighboring countries, as well as dissidents within those territories. The project also provoked the Ogaden War (1977–78) with Ethiopia, leading to the downfall of the regime and ultimately the disintegration of the state, resulting in the emergence of clan-based militias and Islamic fundamentalists. The paper also suggests that Somaliland’s hybrid governance model might offer a solution to the ongoing turmoil affecting the Somali people and others in the region.
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spelling doaj.art-7f603235c7e44597a901048aacc7595b2024-01-25T15:32:08ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Social Sciences2331-18862024-12-0110110.1080/23311886.2024.2302802The Somali nation and the hazards of the nation-state model in the horn of Africa: lessons from SomalilandEndalcachew Bayeh0Department of Political Science and International Studies, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, EthiopiaAbstractThe paper aims to evaluate the risks associated with the Western nation-state model in the Horn of Africa (HoA). Specifically, it examines the effects of the nation-state model adopted by the Somali people in the region. The work was done qualitatively, using data gathered from secondary sources. The study’s findings indicate that the Somali nationalism/nation-state project has both internal and external destabilizing effects. Internally, it caused tensions within clans, and externally, it supported the self-determination of Somali-speaking territories in neighboring countries, as well as dissidents within those territories. The project also provoked the Ogaden War (1977–78) with Ethiopia, leading to the downfall of the regime and ultimately the disintegration of the state, resulting in the emergence of clan-based militias and Islamic fundamentalists. The paper also suggests that Somaliland’s hybrid governance model might offer a solution to the ongoing turmoil affecting the Somali people and others in the region.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2024.2302802Nation-statehorn of AfricaSomaliaSomalilandComparative Politics; International Politics; International Relations; Political TheoryCristina Elena Popa Tache, Law, Andrei Şaguna University, Bucharest, Romania
spellingShingle Endalcachew Bayeh
The Somali nation and the hazards of the nation-state model in the horn of Africa: lessons from Somaliland
Cogent Social Sciences
Nation-state
horn of Africa
Somalia
Somaliland
Comparative Politics; International Politics; International Relations; Political Theory
Cristina Elena Popa Tache, Law, Andrei Şaguna University, Bucharest, Romania
title The Somali nation and the hazards of the nation-state model in the horn of Africa: lessons from Somaliland
title_full The Somali nation and the hazards of the nation-state model in the horn of Africa: lessons from Somaliland
title_fullStr The Somali nation and the hazards of the nation-state model in the horn of Africa: lessons from Somaliland
title_full_unstemmed The Somali nation and the hazards of the nation-state model in the horn of Africa: lessons from Somaliland
title_short The Somali nation and the hazards of the nation-state model in the horn of Africa: lessons from Somaliland
title_sort somali nation and the hazards of the nation state model in the horn of africa lessons from somaliland
topic Nation-state
horn of Africa
Somalia
Somaliland
Comparative Politics; International Politics; International Relations; Political Theory
Cristina Elena Popa Tache, Law, Andrei Şaguna University, Bucharest, Romania
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2024.2302802
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