📢Our NEW issue is now live and FREE to read for 3⃣months!
📱 Special section on smartphones in conflict & care
💡 9 Research articles
📊 2 Policy papers
🗣 1 Review forum on
#NATO
📚26 Book reviews
READ HERE:
Credible reports emerging that a coordinated attack by Harti forces earlier this morning pushed Somaliland troops out of Goojacade, largest and most heavily defended military base in Sool, & from which much of the shelling of Lasanod was orchestrated.
Anyone who has spent any time at all in Awdal knows this is a ludicrous statement and unquestionably false. Al-Shabaab cannot simply just ‘appear’ in a place like this.
This is by far the most forthright statement on the conflict so far, indicating that international partners are losing patience with an increasingly intransigent Somaliland administration. (1/3)
Prominent Somaliland political and cultural figures referring to ‘terrorists’ and ‘anarchists’ and beating the drum for further military action in Las Anod is beyond irresponsible, and frankly a form of extremism itself. (1/4)
Despite the promise of a unilateral ceasefire, Somaliland forces shell Laascaanood for the seventh consecutive day. SSC/Khaatumo draw attention to the deteriorating humanitarian crisis, and call for an international fact finding mission.
In the city of Borama, they are raging protests over the opposition to the lease of Lughaya in
#Awdal
to
#Ethiopia
The “Somaliland” administration has been looking to get the masses to the support the now failed MoU but have instead received the most widespread resistance from
🚨New article in
@SecDialogue
on how international enclaves are more porous than we assume. Based on fieldwork in Mogadishu with private security contractors, it unpacks the complex spatial practices & relationships that crisscross the "green zone's" apparently neat boundaries.
Imagine reading an investigation into civilian deaths brought by indiscriminate shelling, and concluding that 'the United States and its European partners should arm Somaliland with more precise weaponry'.
There are legitimate grievances in Cawdal regarding lack of political representation in Somaliland and the suppressed history of SNM killings in Dilla & Boorama. To implicitly conflate these with al-Shabaab is highly irresponsible
Defence Minister resigns. Likely not the last.
Leasing your coastland to a powerful neighbouring state is an unusual path to recognition and sovereignty at the best of times. But with so little clarity, or community consultation in Awdal, today's protests were inevitable.
BREAKING: Somaliland Defense Minister AbdiQani Mohamud Aateeye tells the local Horyaal TV he has resigned over the MoU signed with Ethiopia.
Aateeye told the TV he took the decision after meeting with president
@musebiihi
.
Thanks for taking the time to read the article. The intention was to shift discussion away from baseless discourses around terrorism/China etc, & towards a recognition of concrete politico-economic drivers at play. So I'm grateful for you raising the issue of resource sharing -
@Jethro_Norman
, read your article with interest, unfortunately its fraught with errors and very broad generalisations.
I've listed some of my issues below, care to respond?
This is unfortunately highly symptomatic of the current conflict in Las Anod. But why?
Strikingly, one of the only points both sides agree on is that widespread social media use is shaping an intensely polarised, hostile and self-reinforcing discourse. (1/4)
I have had about 15 emails today and one very angry phone call from someone who insinuated that they are working for the Government of Somaliland, along with abuse on Twitter (blocked), because of
@aoav
and
@Amnesty
reporting civilians casualties in fighting there. We are not
In short: the bluster around Chinese proxy wars and terrorism largely obfuscates the legitimate grievances around resource sharing that have grown in the context of heightened international engagement with the Somaliland state. (7/7)
If this is as decisive a defeat as it looks, it will have resounding political ramifications: not only for cementing the emerging SSC-Khatumo administration, but with mounting armed resistance amongst Garhajis communities in the centre, SL faces a full blown political crisis.
A welcome statement, if slightly tepid language for a conflict now in its tenth week.
Whilst stopping short of concrete action, there is a very clear warning here to the SL govt: that the crisis ‘is seriously impacting discussions about their [future] engagement with Somaliland’
Statement by 15 international partners, including the UK. We call on Somaliland President
@musebiihi
2 ensure there is an immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities, & separation of forces to agreed locations in Las Anod.
Thrilled to pass my viva with minor corrections on Tues. Huge thanks to examiners Tarak Barkawi & Shane Doyle, and of course supervisors
@ArielliNir
&
@raymondobush
for 4 years of support, lively conversation, and stoically reading my poorly referenced drafts.
Somaliland, which has quietly been of the most stable de facto states in the world, now finds itself at the centre of regional geopolitical manoeuvring and rising tensions.
In this piece, I push back on causal narratives that view the conflict as either directly fomented by Al-Shabaab, Somalia or (absurdly) a Chinese proxy war. (2/7)
Instead, to understand the conflict in Las Anod and the crisis in Somaliland we need to look at the relationship between clan and state in the context of a recent influx of international aid and investment that has had destabilising consequences. (3/7)
The build up to the conflict in Las Anod bears the hallmarks of this intensifying economic struggle: from recent diaspora investments, to the expulsion of the Rahanweyn traders, and competition over Khat imports. (6/7)
New
@AmnestyEARO
report calls for an independent investigation into human rights and humanitarian law violations, following the indiscriminate shelling of Las Anod, cites the use of 'inherently inaccurate' 107mm rockets.
What is the relationship between kinship and infrastructure?
Delighted to share a new article in
#Geoforum
, based on multi-sited fieldwork across Somaliland/N. Somali territories as part of our
@Diaspora_Hum
project
@diisdk
@RVInews
@rakorcc
Thread 1/6
Mayor of Laascaanood speaking today: confirms the fighting is between local and Somaliland forces, & decries the shelling of residential areas and hospitals.
Dhulbahante perceptions of marginalisation are related to core grievances of insecurity and economic underdevelopment. These have intensified in tandem with growing international assistance that has been largely blind to the plurality of political voices within Somaliland (5/7)
Accelerated international engagement has raised the stakes, intensifying internal competition amongst political elites in the centre, whilst heightening perceptions of marginalisation in its peripheral regions. (4/7)
Somaliland should immediately withdraw forces & stop shelling Las Anod, acknowledge & address the legitimate grievances raised at the recent conference, and seek dialogue and/or third party mediation.
If the history of Las Anod since 2007 tells us anything, it is that you cannot force peace and political unity through the barrel of the gun. Every death makes meaningful resolution less likely & risks escalating into a larger conflict, including opening of multiple fronts.
However, the Las Anod Water supply you include in pictures of these SDF projects is 100% diaspora funded. In fact, the investors claim it was originally earmarked for SDF funds, but never received any, because of this discourse of insecurity -
Covid-19 is changing how diaspora assistance to Somaliland is mobilised. A new DIIS comment, written by
@Diaspora_Hum
colleagues highlights changing priorities and emerging fundraising platforms.
(1/2) Through the lens of a viral TikTok video,
@FaisalAHAli
and I take a long view on the current complex tapestry of political identities, ideologies and imaginaries in the Somali territories, asking how did we end up here?
Sad to see the situation in Sool & Sanaag deteriorating: reports of clashes between Somaliland and Puntland forces around Tukaraq. Meanwhile in Laascaanood, more live gunfire and telecommunications apparently cut this morning (1/2)
In short: a few good points raised, e.g. Isaaq in Sool also being marginalised, but these do not negate the main argument – in fact, they support it. (1/2)
Thanks for taking the time to read the article. The intention was to shift discussion away from baseless discourses around terrorism/China etc, & towards a recognition of concrete politico-economic drivers at play. So I'm grateful for you raising the issue of resource sharing -
Excited to be part of this new interdisciplinary research project led by
@peer_schouten
! I'll be focusing on how control over trade routes shapes political order in the Horn of Africa
@diisdk
Over the coming years, I look forward to work together with
@ICTDTax
,
@IPISResearch
,
@Jethro_Norman
, and other collaborators to investigate the role of checkpoints in state formation and its contestation, historically and today. Details: (2/2)
A mother and her six children were killed by a mortar two days ago, the hospital has been shelled, and there are graphic images of casualties circulating.
Latest publications on the conflict in Las Anod by
@AbdifatahTahir
: “Understanding Las Anod’s Conflict: Exclusionary Politics, Strategic (re) Alignment, and Rupture”.
The statement unequivocally calls for the immediate withdrawal of Somaliland forces from Las Anod and welcomes ongoing mediation efforts through traditional authorities. (2/3)
My latest, an article in
@wavellroom
, explores the relationship between the recent restructuring of the British Army and the private military/security sector
But this was predictable. I was last in
#Laascaanood
2021 & resentment was palpable concerning a series of unresolved assassinations & extrajudicial killings (100+ since 2010 often cited) seen as indicative of a failure (wilful or not) by SL administration to guarantee security
How is a proliferation of mobile phone-based lending transforming relations between credit and debt in Kenya? Join us next Tuesday as
@kevindonovan
explores such developing digital infrastructures as an instance of rentier capitalism
@Nauja_Kleist
@diisdk
Tough viva for Dom Cummins right now, called out on methodology, sources, structure of argument and consistency. Will be a miracle if he scrapes through with Major Revisions.
En route to London for what looks to be a fascinating symposium on the methodological challenges of doing social science research in the context of war, conflict and authoritarianism
@KingsRussia
3. The SL govt statistics you present do not tell the whole story. For instance, Sool contributes less to Somaliland’s budget precisely because of its marginal position wedged inbetween Puntland and SL -
I had a phone conversation with President
@HassanSMohamud
I reaffirmed the full support of the EU to the unity, the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of
#Somalia
.
The Horn of Africa doesn’t need more tensions.
@TheVillaSomalia
Yet – crucially – the statement goes further, beyond the immediate fighting in Sool, to criticise a wider ‘democratic backsliding’ in Somaliland politics, including explicitly threatening visa restrictions on those responsible. (3/3)
Relatedly, that the Dhulbahante diaspora are behind much of the economic growth of Las Anod is corroborated by the aforementioned study, and also in another ISS study (below) both of which also observe strong perceptions of marginalisation and insecurity.
Egypt-Ethiopia negotiations over the
#GERD
dam abandoned.
A significant move in the context of growing tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia over the latter's proposed ports deal with Somaliland.
After a decade-long dialogue,
#Egypt
has officially withdrawn from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (
#GERD
) negotiations, marking a pivotal moment in the tripartite talks involving Ethiopia,
#Sudan
, and Egypt.
Source:
@addisstandard
Sharp analysis from Anthony Kao outlining some of the geopolitical shifts occurring in the wake of the Lasanod crisis and electoral delays in Somaliland.
Infrastructures both create and experience decay. Reflecting on maintenance, temporality and change,
@AkhilGuptaUCLA
shifts our attention from construction and design to the quotidian acts of “mere” maintenance. Join us next Wednesday 7 October at 5pm!
What is indisputable, is this: a string of destabilising killings have occurred with no meaningful arrests, despite the largest military base in SL on the doorstep. Regardless of who is behind this, SL is perceived to be unable (or unwilling) to guarantee security in Las Anod.
@1an_Higgins
Starting to think all the political analysts have got this wrong.
World War III will not start in Ukraine or the Middle East - but when Modi declares total war on Australia and the rest of the Commonwealth tomorrow morning.
New piece in today's Jyllands-posten with
@PeterAlAlbrecht
on the regional implications of the ongoing conflict in Tigray. If you are not one of the 6 million Danish speakers out there, then do not panic: English language version to follow shortly.
I det komplicerede puslespil, som såvel Etiopien som Afrikas Horn udgør, kan den etiopiske offensiv i Tigray have store konsekvenser for Somalia og for Etiopiens somaliske mindretal:
@PeterAlAlbrecht
&
@Jethro0
i Jyllands-Posten:
Thanks again for your engagement with the article. It is unfortunate that some interpreted it as an attack on Somaliland. I think the polarising tendencies of social media has a lot to answer for in that respect. But I am happy to respond to critiques that engage with the text.
Several centuries from now, the global citizens of our future worldwide eco-utopia will scratch their heads and ask: what was the turning point, when the world finally came together to meaningfully combat climate change? And the historians will answer:
Several key points in the Las Anod declaration.
There is the expected language of self determination & appeals to international law in the context of unrecognised secession.
But the grievances raised are concrete, highly specific and need to be acknowledged (1/4).
Back in DK after a highly engaging workshop on connectivity, innovation and war - big thanks to
@warmatters
&
@SteveJFeldstein
.
And apologies to the rest of the USA for bringing the Scandinavian weather with us.
5. True, Dh. political representation has improved. But does that noticeably impact development and security in Las Anod? Politicians in Hargeisa are not always so respected in Sool, which also factors into the proportionally lower voter turnouts that you cite.
The battleground effectively expands across the globe, as algorithmic imperatives promote increasingly polarised and radical narratives and all sides scramble to capitalise on this through propaganda and misinformation campaigns (in turn reinforcing these intransigent narratives)
The year is 2026. A 2nd Scottish independence vote has been won. England is a Brexit induced Mad Max wasteland, and an aging Alex Salmond has dug an equivalent of this, by hand, along the exact line Hadrian followed in AD122. The isle of Scotland is born.
An important and detailed analysis that situates the current conflict in Las Anod within the context of an increasingly exclusionary, centralised and uncompromising politics in SL. Essential reading.
This is precisely the kind of issue that leads to the perceptions of marginalisation that I highlight.
The blame cannot solely fall on the SL state of course - international aid and investment strategies are also culpable, inc. the overly stringent security policies of the UN
The MoU has reignited the debate around Somali unity and the status of Somaliland.
But this really began with the emergence of SSC-Khatumo almost exactly one year ago, and the subsequent surprise defeat of the Somaliland armed forces on 25 August.
Proliferating smartphone usage within Somali territories & global diaspora means such conflicts quickly become highly mediatised.
(contrast the current conflict with October 2007 battle for Las Anod. Was there a comparable, mediatised struggle for narrative?)
but adjusted for inflation, Apple is a boy scout's lemonade stand in comparison to the Dutch East India Company (despite adopting the same business strategy of ruthlessly exploiting Asian labour markets)
It draws a neat line of opportunity straight through the centre of SL, connecting Hargeisa-Berbera-Ethiopia.
Imagine sitting in Las Anod (or Zeila/Erigavo for that matter) watching the Berbera corridor being inaugurated & with a potential US military base also on the horizon?
@Nauja_Kleist
introducing the five year
#DHUM
@Diaspora_Hum
project, involving coordinated multi-sited fieldwork across Europe, Somalia and Kenya to explore the sustained engagement of diaspora in humanitarian activities. Asking what kind of assistance is mobilised and how?
As I make clear in the article, this is not simply Dhulbahante v Isaaq, and clan lens alone cannot explain the crisis. This is about a state that, in the context of growing aid & investment, has largely concentrated resources in the centre at the expense of peripheral regions.
2.Revenue sharing:
As I clearly acknowledge in the article, there has been some SL investment in Las Anod.
This includes an effort to allocate more SDF funding (which is international aid, not SL taxes remember) including in health and education that you mention -
Is the future of humanitarianism in Africa diasporic?
🚨Submit to our panel ‘Practices and imaginaries of diaspora emergency relief in Africa and its socio-technical infrastructures’ convened w/
@Nauja_Kleist
, Stephen Lubkemann &
@thabani_sere
discussing
If people think I'm going to senselessly join the
#england
bandwagon, riding a wave of unfounded, dangerous optimism after a marginal win in extra time against a second tier team, they are absolutely correct!
#itscominghome
baby!
Received my first thank you letter today - from a first-year undergraduate who had been enthused by our seminar discussions and was keen to explore the content further. Hugely rewarding, and an invaluable source of feedback on teaching style at such an early stage.
I work from early in the morning until late at night, haven’t left the White House in many months (except to launch Hospital Ship Comfort) in order to take care of Trade Deals, Military Rebuilding etc., and then I read a phony story in the failing
@nytimes
about my work....
@warmatters
&
@andrewhoskins
wrote an excellent book,
@WarRadical
, in which they argue that digital media is dissolving established boundaries between participants and observers in war. Ukraine a paradigmatic example, but I think many of their insights are applicable here too.
As this 2021 report highlights, there are serious issues with opaque taxing structures, and there is a large informal economy that is simply not counted in these budget calculations.
Ultimately, what matters is not the absolute level of resource sharing, but the perception of rapid development in the centre at the expense of other areas. The highly publicised Berbera corridor is emblematic of this -
There is now a window of opportunity to address the political crisis within Somaliland - but much hinges on the 2024 elections going ahead.
This could include renewed dialogue between Somaliland & Somalia, whilst respecting the political will of all parties, inc. SSC-Khatumo.
This is why a significant part of the article discusses the exclusionary politics and infighting in the center, and growing divisions within Isaaq communities – including those in Sanaag, Sool, parts of Toghdeer.
Don't miss the first of four state-of-the-art webinars on infrastructure beginning next Tuesday 29th! Brian Larkin kicks the series off, exploring how generators shape the technologized, ambient milieu of urban Nigeria
@diisdk
@Nauja_Kleist
(r.e. demographic statistics, which are tricky to ascertain at the best of times, if 2014 figure is correct, then 5% of SL population (3.5million) would be 175000. That's approx. half of the figure you cite of 300,000+ in Sool. + Dh. live also in Sanaag.)
I know how this goes:
1. barber confidently informs you how much you will save in the long run with his wonderful haircut
2. proceeds to make several large cuts, irreparably removing the best locks of your hair
3. jumps out the window leaving the client to untangle the mess
In the article, I also give specific examples (far from 'generalisations') of how intensifying economic competition has factored into the events leading up to the current conflict (the revoking of Jabutawi’s khat licence, for example).