A Complete Breakdown of Clannism in Somalia

 

One of the most important social pillars of Somalia is its clan culture. Clannism is the practice of prioritizing loyalty to one's family and clan before anything else. Over the centuries, clannism gained a stronger hold on Somalia's social, economic, and political systems.

Sometimes, clannism has promoted harmony in the country, and sometimes it has been a major obstacle to Somalia's stability and progress. Here's a complete breakdown of clannism in Somalia and its impact on the country.

What are Clans in Somalia?

Clans are rooted in lineage and genealogy and are considered the primary social unit in Somalia. Each clan is divided into sub-clans that play a major role in social and political interactions. This is because all members of a clan support one another in nearly all aspects of life, including economic and political pursuits.

Impact of Clannism on Somalia

One of the biggest effects of clannism in Somalia is how it has fragmented the country. In many cases, clan identity has often been stronger than national identity, which has resulted in regional and social divisions. Unfortunately, this means that clan loyalty often takes precedence over state loyalty, so the central government has difficulty establishing its writ.

Additionally, political parties are also formed on the basis of clan affiliation, which is why many members of parliament are elected because of clan support rather than their qualifications. This has resulted in incompetence across the Somali political landscape and government institutions as a few dominant clans gain power over the rest.

Clannism has also significantly impacted the Somali economy, as most of the country's resources are controlled by a handful of powerful clans. These powerful people often resort to corruption to enrich themselves, resulting in poverty, inequality, instability, and social unrest.

Combatting Clannism in Somalia

Over the decades, local and international communities have tried to combat clannism, but progress has surely been slow. One of the biggest steps taken to mitigate this problem was the adoption of a federal system of governance in 2004 that gave more autonomy to regional states. This was done to reduce the influence of clans at a federal level, but its implementation has been quite challenging as it has further resulted in power struggles and clan rivalries.

Support Somali Refugees Through Somali Community Link

Hundreds of thousands of Somalis have fled the country in search of a better life as clannism, extremism, and social unrest take hold. There are approximately 75,000 Somali refugees in Ohio who need your help to start new lives.

Somali Community Link is a non-profit organization that ensures the resettlement process of Somali refugees in Columbus, Ohio. They provide Somali community resettlement services, including legal advisory, education funding, and housing needs for the Somali community.

Donate to this cause or get in touch with their team for more information.