Geo-Politics and National Security in the Horn of Africa:
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Date
2023-10-03
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Kampala International University
Abstract
The study sought to examine geo-politics and national security in the horn of Africa: A case study of Somalia. The study objectives were; to examine the impact of Geographical settings of Somalia on its national security, to ascertain the influence of Cultural Traditions on the national security of Somalia and to determine the relationship between Natural resource endowment and the national security of Somalia. This study adopted a cross-sectional research design. The cross-sectional research design is a research design by which the whole population or its subset is studied by seeking information about a study problem on what is going on at only one point in time. The study used quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative approach helped in testing hypotheses to draw statistical inferences while the qualitative approach supplemented the quantitative data by providing detailed information. In this case, the target study population of the study was 300 respondents selected from Somalia natives. Among these included; local state political leaders, Clan leaders, religious leaders, NGO officials, Political analysts, Internal Security Officials, Representatives from the central government and the local citizens. The sample size of the study consisted of 171 respondents from the target population and was determined through purposive and random sampling methods. The findings shows that, despite the fact that Somalia’s is located in the Mandeb Strait and its adjacent waters also raise security concerns, Somalia is geographically located near the Arabian Peninsula which is controlled by Islamist insurgency group Al-Qaeda, and a minor offshoot of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) has been active in the region. The study findings concluded that geographical location is an extremely important factor in the development of power because it determines climates, economics, natural resources strategic position, and even national policies. Favorable geographic location results in tremendous economic and strategic advantages. Thus, any threats to national security can lead to economic downturns, government instability, frauds, public insecurity, cyber-crimes, and foreign threats such as terrorism, as some examples. The study recommends that building a viable and just peace, as well as creating and operating programs that sustain it, is a complex process that requires significant expertise. It requires one to possess the ability, courage and the will to build and utilize a more comprehensive and strategic approach to constructing a just peace. This study aimed at examining the geopolitical location of Somalia in terms of; Geographical settings, Cultural Traditions, Natural Resource Endowment and Demographic features and its impact on the national security. The study unearthed to international bodies like UN, OAU and the others on the best ways to formulate better arrangements suitable for the geo-political issues in Africa as far as control measures, protection, health and humanitarian aid, on top of promoting human security among part states. Accordingly, however the threats of geopolitics in Somalia are overwhelming, an appropriate implementation of these measures could guarantee security for the vulnerable populations in the region. It is therefore in this aspect that this study examined the geopolitical location of Somalia in terms of; Geographical settings, Cultural Traditions, Natural Resource Endowment and Demographic features and its impact on the national security in the horn of Africa, specifically of Somalia.
Description
Research Dissertation Submitted To the College Of Humanities and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Award of Master Degree in International Relations and Diplomatic Studies Kampala International University
Keywords
Geo-Politics, National Security, Horn of Africa, Somalia