African Union-Led State Reconstruction Initiatives in Somalia, 2007-2021
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Date
2025-11
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
The intents of military interventions across the globe on state reconstruction continue
to elicit intellectual debates as scholars and policy experts weigh in on its viability and
practicality. The study interrogated the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)
on state reconstruction between 2007 and 2021 with the following specific objectives:
to analyze initiatives employed by AMISOM on state reconstruction in Somalia; to
assess the strategic partnerships between the AMISOM and UN Country Teams and
other international governmental actors on state reconstruction in Somalia and; to
assess challenges faced by the AMISOM in carrying out state reconstruction in
Somalia. Literature reviewed was based on the themes in tandem with the study’s
specific objectives. The study was anchored by state building, securitization and
intervention theories. Methodologically, the study employed case study research design
and targeted population entailed key informants across different strata with pertinent
information. Interview schedule and observation schedule were employed as key
primary data collection instruments while for the collection of secondary data,
document analysis was utilized. The study established that AMISOM employed
counter terrorism, civil-military co-ordination, protection of civilians, security,
institutional capacity building, stabilization, gender-based, humanitarian initiatives,
national reconciliation, disarmament, demobilization and re-integration as well as
intelligence gathering and sharing and legitimization initiatives. The study established
that strategic partnerships significantly contributed to AMISOM initiatives in form of
legitimization, funding, resolutions, technical assistance, strategic air lift, coordination,
logistics, humanitarian aid, capacity building, donations, liaison initiatives, counter
piracy, air combat mission, training, surveillance and reconnaissance, international
peace and reconstruction summits on Somalia. The study also concluded that legal and
administrative obligations are vital in enhancing efficiency of strategic partnerships
towards attaining state reconstruction. Further, state reconstruction should be
prioritized in peace support operations. The study also established that encountered
strategic, operational and tactical challenges AMISOM encountered in state
reconstruction process in Somalia. The study concluded that military interventions in
Somalia require adequate technical, financial, logistical, administrative, legitimate
support to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in its operations. Adequate funding,
conformity to the international humanitarian law and international human rights, proper
training and adequate intelligence should be irreducible minimum for any mission
sanctioned by UN, AU or and other legitimate actor before embarking on the
interventionist agenda. Multisectoral approaches should be embraced in addressing
challenges. The study further recommended that: United Nations Security Council
(UNSC) in partnership within African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), in
the context of Africa PSOs, should come up with sustainable resolutions that
corresponds with the objectives therefore ensuring state reconstruction is fully attained;
the need for proper strategic partnerships that are scope-specific to state reconstruction
initiatives; AU should marshal for resources that would sustain peace support
operations and; AU should not entirely depend on donor community particularly from
the collective west
Description
A Thesis Submitted For the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations and Diplomacy in the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences of
Kenyatta University. November, 2025
Supervisors
Xavier Francis Ichani
Evans Odhiambo Onyango