The Somali Civil War

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how the initial experiment to 'Westernize' the African country of Somalia was successful, as Britain and Italy did not change the pastoral, clan system of social and political order. It examines how the Cold War introduced both democracy and socialism to Somalia and how the Somali experiment in post-Cold War government was cluttered with millions of dollars of aid from outside sources. It looks at how when the sources of aid disappeared with the end of the Cold War, Somalia was left with a dictator without bargaining power and a clan system strong enough to overthrow him. It evaluates how with the overthrow of the Somali dictatorship and no central government, years of famine and no means to support the infrastructure of the company, Somalia fell into civil war.

From the Paper:

"Throughout the 1980's Barre declared war on the all clans in Northeast Somalia, specifically the Isaaq clan. After Barre lost the Ogaden War he knew popular opinion saw him as a weak leader. In order maintain power he turned his back on his socialist experiment and turned into a ruthless dictator. People were maimed, killed, tortured and many fled to Ethiopia. U.S. foreign policy under the Reagan administration was to preserve peace. Most of the emphasis on African foreign policy was in South Africa and fighting Apartheid. According to U.S. foreign policy makers, Somalia's best hope for peace under a centralized government was under the leadership of Barre."

More papers on The Somali Civil War:

• Cause and Effect Essay # 90816 : "The Causes of the American Civil War "
• Research Paper # 128490 : "UN Interventions in Somalia During 1990 - 1993"
• Term Paper # 119395 : "Somalia: A Liberal Attempt at Resolution"

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