Somali web sites, history and politics

Abstract

Purpose -The collapse of the Somali Democratic Republic in 1991 led to a world-wide diaspora. The purpose of this paper is to discuss and analyse Somali web sites in an attempt to demonstrate how they reflect the troubled history and politics of the homeland and continue to interest, involve, bring together and divide Somalis world-wide. Design/methodology/approach -Web sites were divided into categories, and a study of the community/political category was conducted. Visits were made to the Horn of Africa and elsewhere, and face-to-face interviews conducted. E-mail contact was maintained with a number of Somali webmasters. Findings -Community/political web sites was the most numerous category, with the majority being named after a geographical area associated with a group of clan lineages or sub-lineages. They contain news, opinion pieces and other features in Somali and on some web sites in Somali and English. While web sites usually declare that the opinions in articles are those of the authors alone, they are unlikely to publicise views with which they are not in agreement. Originality/value -The paper illustrates how web sites enable members of one diaspora community to keep in touch with a political situation at home that is exceptional, and to involve themselves in its controversies, should they wish to do so. It also shows how the web site has brought a new dimension to traditional methods of feuding.

Prevalence of mental disorders and psychological trauma among conflict- affected population in Somalia: a cross-sectional study

“…However, the conflicts and crisis in Somalia has existed for much longer than the past 3 decades of state collapse. It dates back to colonial times when European powers (Britain, France, and Italy) violently partitioned, occupied, and colonized the vast Somali-inhabited Horn of Africa region that includes present-day Somalia, Djibouti and parts of Ethiopia and Kenya (2)(3)(4). As such, the longstanding conflict has brought untold suffering, massive loss of lives, gross human rights violations, psychological traumas, and significant displacements that continue to the present day (2,5).…”

Borderlines, Natural Resources and Conflicts: Towards a Territorial Materialism of Boundary Disputes in East Africa

“…This perspective posits that the imperialist scramble for Africa materialized in a sort of senseless territorial grabbing, leading to arbitrary and artificial partitioning of Africa into slices of colonial spheres of interest. 14 Representing this perspective, Aghemelo & Ibhasebhor 15 succinctly observe that:…”

“…To be sure, post-colonial states in Africa have virtually accepted the inherited boundary system as legitimate and even sacrosanct. 17 Again, territorial conflicts in post-colonial Africa have so far seldom betrayed the contradictions of ethnic partitioning, nor have they generally manifested the logic of irredentism. 18 More importantly, the incidence of territorial conflict in Africa has been significantly relatively low, in spite of the preponderance of 'externally imposed and artificial' boundaries.…”

“…Although a dominant perspective in the existing literature on border conflict in Africa suggests that boundary disputes on the continent are a result of contradictions of ethno-communal splitting and disintegration arising from colonial partitioning, 33 such a perspective only (1968)(1969)(1970)(1971)(1972)(1973)(1974)(1975)(1976)(1977)(1978)(1979)(1980)(1981)(1982)(1983)(1984)(1985)(1986)) have, to a large extent, had to do with the struggles by the affected states to control land and maritime resources in the contested areas. 35 The dispute between the Republics of Kenya and Uganda (2008, ongoing) over Migingo Island has been also associated with economic and livelihood contestations. 36 As Kisiangani 37 opines, "A close look at the dispute, however, reveals that the bone of contention is not about the island per se, (but) rather the declining fish stock in the lake and the bourgeoning international interests especially in the Nile Perch species".…”

“…Issa-Salwe adds that preservation of this shell 'has come to be associated with self-preservation of the state' . 3 Over the years, the issue of boundary has been a veritable subject of intentional relations and strategy. In this context, it has been prominently recognized, rather paradoxically, as a bridge as well as a barrier to international peace and stability.…”