Somalia

Research and activites

Photo/illustration by Feisal Omar/Reuters/Ritzau Scanpix

DIIS Policy Brief

2024

Somaliland at the centre of rising tensions in the Horn of Africa
Photo/illustration by Maxar Technologies/Google Earth copyright license

Report

2023

Paying the price

Major new study reveals how al-Shabaab and government-affiliated actors extract wealth from trade and vulnerable populations.
Photo/illustration by AMISOM public information via Flickr.com copyright license

Journal Article

2023

Divided loyalties

Somalia’s political landscape is increasingly fragmented due to regional and clan differences. Is this the end of the centralized state and a unified, national identity?
Photo/illustration by AMISOM public information via Flickr.com copyright license

Podcast

2023

Diaspora groups have become key humanitarian actors

The case of Somalia
Livestreaming

Somali diaspora humanitarianism in complex crises

DIIS Auditorium

When disaster strike, diaspora groups are often first responders and remain engaged during lengthy and complex crises. Join this roundtable where we discuss practices, possibilities and pitfalls
Photo/illustration by Photo by UN Photo/Tobin Jones copyright license

Journal Article

2023

Somali vernacular humanitarianism: Translocal emergency assistance during times of crisis

New article on the history and practices of local and diaspora support during crises in Somaliland
Photo/illustration by Finn Stepputat (background picture)

Livestreaming

Trade makes states: Governing the greater Somali economy

DIIS Auditorium

The control of trade and transport is key to statemaking. A new book suggests that this, rather than the control of people and territory, can make or unmake state projects in areas like Somalia. This seminar introduces the ideas behind the book
Book

2023

Trade makes states

The control of commodity flows can make and unmake state projects in the politically fragmented Somali territories, new book shows.
Report

2023

More powerful by the day

Terror financing and disruption efforts in Somalia
Journal Article

2023

International enclaves are more porous than we think

New research questions the assumption that ‘green zones’ are effectively sealed off from the outside world.
Book

2023

Counter-piracy law in practice

An ethnography of international security governance
Article

2023

Conflict in Las Anod and Crisis in Somaliland

External Investment, Intensifying Internal Competition, and the Struggle for Narrative
DIIS Working Paper

2023

Inclusion and exclusion in Somali drought emergency assistance

Familiarity with aid recipients strengthens impartiality. A lesson learned for humanitarian engagement
Photo/illustration by ICRC, Taaxta Ismail

Livestreaming

No climate security without human security: Insights from Africa’s climate hotspots

DIIS Auditorium

This seminar brings together scholars and practitioners to discuss pathways for a broadened climate security agenda on fragile states centered on addressing livelihood and security needs of populations
DIIS Policy Brief

2022

No climate security without human security

Insights from Africa’s climate hotspots
Interview

2022

Somali or part of the Somali diaspora?

PhD-student Sahra Ahmed Koshin is studying Somali diaspora in Zambia. She was born in Zambia herself. She grew up in Zambia and Holland, but she still has an almost physical connection to her father’s homeland in Somalia.
Brief

2022

Adaptation, professionalization and disruption

Current trends and future scenarios of Somali diaspora engagement
Report

2022

Global connections

Somali diaspora practices and their effects
Blogpost

31 January 2022

Doing a PhD during Pandemic Times

A Somali Mother’s Journey
Journal Article

2021

How aid and trade finance conflict

The world needs new rules for global supply chains.
Blogpost

6 May 2021

A Year After the Floods In Qardho

What Has Been The Response And How Is The Community Coping?
Previous streamed webinar

5 May 2021

How can we overcome the root causes of piracy?

A conversation with scholars on maritime security
Photo/illustration by Vladimir Lysenko/Wikimedia Commons copyright license

Web Article

2021

Studying Diaspora Humanitarianism

Some methodological considerations
Photo/illustration by Pexels. Jens Mahnke. copyright license

Blog

30 June 2020

Here, There and Everywhere

Covid-19 Travel Ban Effects on the Somali Diaspora
Photo/illustration by Pexels. Jens Mahnke. copyright license

Blog

30 May 2020

Khat and COVID-19

Somalia’s cross-border economy in the time of coronavirus

Photo/illustration by Maxar Technologies/Google Earth copyright license

Report

2023

Paying the price

The political economy of checkpoints in Somalia

Peer Schouten

Download (pdf, 7.1 MB)
Literature Review

2023

Khalid Mustafa Medani, Black Markets and Militants: Informal Networks in the Middle East and Africa, 2nd edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (pb £22.99 – 978 1 009 25772 5; open access – 978 1 108 96101 1). 2022, 426 pp.

Peer Schouten

Africa - Journal of the International African Institute, 93

Read publication (external link)
Photo/illustration by Photo by UN Photo/Tobin Jones copyright license

Journal Article

2023

Somali vernacular humanitarianism: Translocal emergency assistance during times of crisis

Ahmed Musa & Nauja Kleist

Bildhaan: An International Journal of Somali Studies, 22

Download (pdf, 284.2 KB)
Book Chapter

2023

Raising fiscal revenues

The political economy of Somali trade taxation

Ahmed Musa, Kirstine Strøh Varming & Finn Stepputat

Trade makes states. London: Hurst Publishers
Book Chapter

2023

Tilly in the tropics

Trade and Somali state-making

Finn Stepputat

Trade makes states. London: Hurst Publishers
Book Chapter

2023

The revival and re-embedding of Somali ports

Finn Stepputat, Warsame Ahmed, Omer Qualonbi, Simon Wallisch & Mahad Wasuge

Trade makes states. London: Hurst Publishers
Book

2023

Trade makes states

Governing the greater Somali economy

Finn Stepputat
Report

2023

More powerful by the day

Terror financing and disruption efforts in Somalia

Katja Lindskov Jacobsen , Jessica Larsen & Maisie Pigeon

Read publication (external link)
Journal Article

2023

Porous bunker

Private security contractors and the plasticity of Mogadishu’s international ‘green zone’

Jethro Norman

Security Dialogue, 54

Read publication (external link)
Book

2023

Counter-piracy law in practice

An ethnography of international security governance

Jessica Larsen
Article

2023

Conflict in Las Anod and Crisis in Somaliland

External Investment, Intensifying Internal Competition, and the Struggle for Narrative

Jethro Norman

African Arguments

Read publication (external link)
DIIS Working Paper

2023

Social ties and practices inclusion and exclusion

Somali responds to droughts

Ahmed Musa

Download (pdf, 518.6 KB)
Web Article

2023

Come for the war, stay for the swimmingpool

the Green Zones of Baghdad and Mogadishu

Helle Malmvig & Jethro Norman

Read publication (external link)
Book Chapter

2023

Introduction

Trade and state formation in Somali East Africa and beyond

Finn Stepputat

Trade makes states. London: Hurst Publishers
Report

2022

Global connections

Somali diaspora practices and their effects

Nauja Kleist & Masud Abdi

Read publication (external link)
Journal Article

2021

It’s the Roads, Stupid

Armed checkpoints along key trade routes—not natural resources—are the key to financing rebel groups and insurgencies around the world.

Peer Schouten

FP Foreign Policy

Read publication (external link)
Photo/illustration by Vladimir Lysenko/Wikimedia Commons copyright license

Web Article

2021

Studying Diaspora Humanitarianism

Some methodological considerations

Nauja Kleist

Read publication (external link)
Journal Article

2021

Revenues on the hoof

Livestock trade, taxation and state-making in the Somali territories

Ahmed Musa, Finn Stepputat & Tobias Hagmann

Journal of Eastern African Studies, 15

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Journal Article

2020

Livestock trade and devolution in the Somali-Kenya transboundary corridor

Philemon Ong’ao Ng’asike, Finn Stepputat & Jesse Njoka

Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice, 10

Download (pdf, 875.9 KB)
Journal Article

2020

National Interests as Friction

Peacekeeping in Somalia and Mali

Peter Albrecht & Signe Marie Cold-Ravnkilde

Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding, 14

Read publication (external link)
Working papers etc.

2020

Private Military and Security Companies and the Political Marketplace in Mogadishu

Jethro Norman

Read publication (external link)
DIIS Working Paper

2019

The global checkpoint economy

Supply chains as a new frontline in conflict financing?

Peer Schouten

Download (pdf, 1.1 MB)
DIIS Working Paper

2019

Fusing formal and informal trading

Emerging practices in the livestock value chains between Kenya and Somalia

Philemon Ng'asike

Download (pdf, 859.6 KB)
DIIS Working Paper

2019

From trust to oligopoly

Institutional change in livestock trade in Somaliland after 1991

Ahmed Musa

Download (pdf, 696.3 KB)
Working papers etc.

2018

‘Elders among traders’

Market committees and everyday state formation in Mogadishu

Faduma Abukar Mursal

Download (pdf, 679.4 KB)

Photo/illustration by Feisal Omar/Reuters/Ritzau Scanpix

DIIS Policy Brief

2024

Somaliland at the centre of rising tensions in the Horn of Africa

Jethro Norman

Download (pdf, 1.4 MB)
DIIS Policy Brief

2022

No climate security without human security

Insights from Africa’s climate hotspots

Louise Wiuff Moe & Signe Marie Cold-Ravnkilde

Download (pdf, 565.5 KB)
Interview

2022

Somali or part of the Somali diaspora?

Marie Barse & Sahra Ahmed Koshin
Brief

2022

Adaptation, professionalization and disruption

Current trends and future scenarios of Somali diaspora engagement

Nauja Kleist, Ahmed Musa & Jethro Norman

Read publication (external link)
Photo/illustration by Rasmus Fly

DIIS Q&A

2021

Transnational threat or PR stunt?

When jihadist groups declare allegiance

Dino Krause & Anne Blaabjerg Nielsen

Read publication (external link)
Photo/illustration by Pexels. Jens Mahnke. copyright license

DIIS Comment

2020

Mogadishu in the time of COVID-19

Abdirahman Edle Ali, Abdirahman Mustaf Mohamed, Jethro Norman, Karuti Kanyinga & Peter Albrecht
Photo/illustration by Pexels. Jens Mahnke. copyright license

DIIS Comment

2020

COVID-19: A Looming humanitarian disaster for Somali East Africa and its diaspora

Abdirahman Edle Ali, Ahmed Musa, Mohamed Aden Hassan, Nauja Kleist & Mark Bradbury
Policy Brief

2018

Somali diaspora groups in Sweden

Engagement in development and relief work in the Horn of Africa

Nauja Kleist

Download (pdf, 393.6 KB)
DIIS Policy Brief

2015

The Politics of Peacekeeping: A Question of Trust: The African Union and the Somali Army

Peter Albrecht

Download (pdf, 2.5 MB)
DIIS Policy Brief

2015

Fragmented Peacekeeping: Regional Interests Define the African Union Mission in Somalia

Peter Albrecht

Download (pdf, 3.5 MB)
DIIS Policy Brief

2015

Somali Elections in 2016

Five Key Challenges in Somalia's Game of Thrones

Peter Albrecht & Idil Lambo

Download (pdf, 1.9 MB)
DIIS Policy Brief

2009

Piracy off the coast of Somalia

Download (pdf, 200.7 KB)
DIIS Policy Brief

2009

Somalia after the Ethiopian withdrawal

Download (pdf, 188.4 KB)

Livestreaming

Somali diaspora humanitarianism in complex crises

DIIS Auditorium

When disaster strike, diaspora groups are often first responders and remain engaged during lengthy and complex crises. Join this roundtable where we discuss practices, possibilities and pitfalls
Photo/illustration by Finn Stepputat (background picture)

Livestreaming

Trade makes states: Governing the greater Somali economy

DIIS Auditorium

The control of trade and transport is key to statemaking. A new book suggests that this, rather than the control of people and territory, can make or unmake state projects in areas like Somalia. This seminar introduces the ideas behind the book
Photo/illustration by ICRC, Taaxta Ismail

Livestreaming

No climate security without human security: Insights from Africa’s climate hotspots

DIIS Auditorium

This seminar brings together scholars and practitioners to discuss pathways for a broadened climate security agenda on fragile states centered on addressing livelihood and security needs of populations
Blogpost

31 January 2022

Doing a PhD during Pandemic Times

A Somali Mother’s Journey
Blogpost

6 May 2021

A Year After the Floods In Qardho

What Has Been The Response And How Is The Community Coping?
Previous streamed webinar

5 May 2021

How can we overcome the root causes of piracy?

A conversation with scholars on maritime security
Photo/illustration by Pexels. Jens Mahnke. copyright license

Blog

30 June 2020

Here, There and Everywhere

Covid-19 Travel Ban Effects on the Somali Diaspora
Photo/illustration by Pexels. Jens Mahnke. copyright license

Blog

30 May 2020

Khat and COVID-19

Somalia’s cross-border economy in the time of coronavirus
Photo/illustration by Pexels. Jens Mahnke. copyright license

Blog

20 April 2020

COVID-19 Is Confirmed In Puntland

How Are Families Coping?
Photo/illustration by Pexels. Jens Mahnke. copyright license

Forskningsprojekt

7 January 2019

New research project on diaspora groups as humanitarian actors

Exploring how Somali diaspora groups mobilize, channel and deliver humanitarian assistance
Photo/illustration by Pexels. Jens Mahnke. copyright license

Journal articles

22 August 2017

Peacekeeping challenged

Virtual special issue of the RUSI Journal

Photo/illustration by AMISOM public information via Flickr.com copyright license

Journal Article

2023

Divided loyalties

Somalia’s political landscape is increasingly fragmented due to regional and clan differences. Is this the end of the centralized state and a unified, national identity?

Interactive Production

2023

Somalia’s banana checkpoints
Podcast

2023

The political economy of checkpoints in Somalia
Interactive Production

2023

Interactive webmap of checkpoints in Somalia
Photo/illustration by AMISOM public information via Flickr.com copyright license

Podcast

2023

Diaspora groups have become key humanitarian actors

The case of Somalia
Podcast

2016

Somalia

Interview with Somali Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed Omar Arte

DIIS Experts

Photo/illustration by Lynggaardhansenfoto.dk

Adam Moe Fejerskov

Sustainable development and governance

Senior Researcher

+45 3269 8779

admo@diis.dk
Photo/illustration by Lynggaardhansenfoto.dk

Finn Stepputat

Peace and violence

Emeritus Researcher

+45 3269 8685

fst@diis.dk
Photo/illustration by Lynggaardhansenfoto.dk

Jessica Larsen

Foreign policy and diplomacy

Senior Researcher

+45 9390 6099

jela@diis.dk
Photo/illustration by Lynggaardhansenfoto.dk

Jethro Norman

Peace and violence

Postdoc

jeno@diis.dk
Photo/illustration by Lynggaardhansenfoto.dk

Nauja Kleist

Migration and global order

Senior Researcher

+45 3269 8667

nkl@diis.dk
Photo/illustration by Lynggaardhansenfoto.dk

Peer Schouten

Peace and violence

Senior Researcher

+45 3269 8654

pesc@diis.dk
Photo/illustration by Lynggaardhansenfoto.dk

Peter Albrecht

Global security and worldviews

Senior Researcher

+45 3269 8772

paa@diis.dk