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Who governs? State versus jihadist political order in Somalia

Author

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  • Aisha Ahmad
  • Tanya Bandula-Irwin
  • Mohamed Ibrahim

Abstract

Why has the Somali government failed to provide public order and essential services, while Al-Shabaab has had relatively more success in its governance objectives? To explain this variation in governance success, we offer a political economy explanation of wartime order-making based on the competing bargains that governing actors create to uphold their power. We identify two key political bargains in Somalia: (1) an elite deal, forged among members of the Somali Federal Government (SFG) and Federal Member States (FMS); and (2) a civilian deal, which Al-Shabaab directly establishes with the citizens under its control. Looking at these two deals, we examine how access to foreign support can affect a governing actor’s taxation impetus, and subsequently its commitment to governance. Our results reveal that not only can foreign support undermine the normal taxation-protection relationship between citizen and state, but it can also inadvertently provide jihadists with an opportunity to establish alternative forms of order.

Suggested Citation

  • Aisha Ahmad & Tanya Bandula-Irwin & Mohamed Ibrahim, 2022. "Who governs? State versus jihadist political order in Somalia," Journal of Eastern African Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(1), pages 68-91, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rjeaxx:v:16:y:2022:i:1:p:68-91
    DOI: 10.1080/17531055.2022.2075817
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