Humanitarian intervention in Somalia: Challenges and lessons

The purpose of this research is to examine the challenges of the US/UN humanitarian intervention in Somalia and the lessons that could be drawn from this unique mission which began on December 9, 1992 and concluded on March 2, 1995. Basically, this paper is divided into three parts. The first part analyzes the relevance of international development themes (participation and capacity building) and development management themes (coordination and accountability) in the context of humanitarian intervention and more specifically as they relate to the Somalia case. This part also includes the method of research as well as both secondary and primary sources. The conceptual framework underlying this research is also discussed in this part. The second part examines the genesis of the Somalia crisis in its historical context and policies of regimes in the country. This part also discusses factors like the collapse of the state, drought and conflict and the delay of emergency assistance that eventually contributed to the culmination of the crisis. The third part looks at the role of Somali faction leaders, challenges encountered and strategies used by responding international aid agencies as well as the ensuing peacekeeping/peacemaking mission of the US and later the UN. The final portion sums up Somali view of the overall mission and lessons to be learned from this intervention. Finally, an attempt is made to draw some conclusion of the factors behind the subsequent failure of the UN mission to fulfill its stated humanitarian mandate.