Decentralized Unitary System: A Possible Middle Ground for Somalia

Abstract

The debate over a suitable governance model for Somalia is re-examined using material gleaned from interviews, focus-groups, document analyses and literature. Analysis first identifies four domestic grievances – trust-deficit, demand for democracy, access to basic services and call for equitable share of resources – that drive interest in centrifugal governance tendencies. These are taken in conjunction with a look at external factors, from neighboring countries to the international community, which put pressure on clan politicians and push clan federalism as a solution. Within this context, the relevance of current proposals for confederation, federation, consociation, and decentralization are considered. Basing a final section of analysis within the current literature, a decentralized unitary system is concluded to be the most suitable governance model for Somalia. Principal factors for this conclusion are based on the model as a flexible toolkit that can keep the country united while addressing local grievances and the legitimate interests of external actors.