White Paper: Addressing the Erosion of Institutional Memory and Governance in Somalia and Puntland

Date: February 7, 2025

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Executive Summary

Somalia’s failure to institutionalize historical knowledge, coupled with political leaders’ suppression of experienced talent, threatens national recovery and survival. This white paper synthesizes evidence from academic analyses, governance studies, and conflict reports to outline the dangers of neglecting institutional memory and propose actionable solutions. Key issues include clan-based governance, systemic corruption, and the deliberate erasure of historical education, all of which perpetuate instability and hinder state-building efforts.

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I. Current Challenges

1. Suppression of Institutional Memory
   • Clan-Centric Governance: Political leaders in Somalia and Puntland prioritize clan loyalty over meritocracy, viewing experienced administrators as threats to their power. This undermines professional governance and entrenches nepotism
   • Erasure of Historical Education: Schools have ceased teaching Somali history, disconnecting younger generations from lessons of past governance, conflict resolution, and state-building. This vacuum enables cyclical violence and poor policymaking.
   • Fragmented Security Institutions: The Somali Police Force (SPF) and regional forces like Puntland’s lack cohesive institutional memory due to decades of fragmentation, reliance on international aid, and clan rivalries.
2. Political Dysfunction
   • Elite Power Struggles: Leadership crises, such as the 2021 clash between President Farmaajo and PM Roble over intelligence agency control, illustrate how personal interests override national stability.
   • Weak Federalism: Somalia’s federal model has devolved into clan enclaves (e.g., Somaliland, Puntland), where regional leaders act as “independent rulers,” sabotaging national unity.

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II. Consequences of Neglect

1. Security Vulnerabilities
   • Al-Shabaab exploits governance voids, offering dispute resolution and public services in areas neglected by the state. Clan militias and federal forces, lacking institutional coordination, fail to hold recaptured territories.
   • Somaliland’s recent clan conflicts in Las Anod highlight how weakened institutions enable external actors (e.g., al-Shabaab, Gulf states) to destabilize regions.
2. Economic and Social Stagnation
   • Puntland’s corruption and mismanagement of resources exacerbate youth unemployment and infrastructure deficits, fueling resentment and radicalization.
   • The 2023 famine, affecting 6.7 million Somalis, underscores how poor governance amplifies humanitarian crises.
3. Loss of National Identity
   • Clan-based administrations erase shared Somali identity, replacing it with fragmented loyalties. This undermines efforts to counter extremist ideologies like al-Shabaab’s.

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III. Recommendations

1. Revive Institutional Memory
   • Historical Curriculum Reform: Integrate Somali history and governance lessons into school curricula, emphasizing pre-1991 state-building successes and post-collapse failures.
   • Archival Projects: Collaborate with international partners (e.g., UNDP) to digitize historical records and oral histories, preserving knowledge for future leaders.
2. Strengthen Governance Structures
   • Merit-Based Appointments: Establish independent oversight bodies to ensure administrative roles prioritize competence over clan affiliation.
   • Decentralized Power Sharing: Adopt Somaliland’s community-centric dispute resolution models to balance federal and local governance.
3. Counter External Exploitation
   • Regulate Foreign Interference: Limit Ethiopian and Gulf state interventions that fuel clan divisions. Leverage regional partnerships (e.g., AU) to enforce sovereignty.
   • Redirect International Aid: Shift funding from militarization (e.g., U.S. counterterrorism) to capacity-building programs for education and infrastructure.
4. Engage in Inclusive Dialogue
   • Negotiate with Al-Shabaab: Explore conditional talks to secure humanitarian access and local ceasefires, as proposed by the International Crisis Group.
   • Clan Reconciliation Forums: Revive traditional xeer (customary law) systems to mediate inter-clan disputes and integrate marginalized groups into governance.

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IV. Call to Action

Somalia’s survival hinges on rebuilding trust in institutions and reclaiming its historical narrative. This requires:

• Political Will: Leaders must prioritize national over clan interests, as seen in Somaliland’s incremental state-building.
• International Collaboration: Donors should align aid with Somali-led reforms rather than imposing external agendas.
• Public Advocacy: Civil society and media must amplify grassroots demands for accountability and historical preservation.

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Conclusion
The erosion of institutional memory is not merely a governance failure but an existential threat. By addressing these issues through education, inclusive governance, and strategic diplomacy, Somalia can break cycles of conflict and reclaim its path to stability.

References
[1] Stability Journal, Remembrance of Things Past: Somali Roads to Police Development
[2] Statecraft, Political Crisis Looms in Somalia
[3] Responsible Statecraft, Clan Fighting Threatens Somaliland
[4] SCIRP, Ineffective Leadership in Puntland
[5] Responsible Statecraft, Negotiate with Terrorists in Somalia
[6] Responsible Statecraft, US Military Exacerbates Violence
[7] Somali Times, Somalia’s Top 5 Security Threats
[8] Sciences Po, Puntland Social Analysis
[9] CFR, Somalia’s Political Paradoxes
[10] Brookings, Somalia’s Challenges in 2023

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This white paper synthesizes insights from diverse sources to provide a roadmap for policymakers, educators, and civil society. For further details, consult the referenced articles.

Postscript:

Addressing the issue of forfeiting institutional memory in Somalia requires a multifaceted approach that tackles the root causes and implements sustainable solutions. Here are some key strategies:

1. Documentation and Archiving:

• Establish comprehensive archives: Create physical and digital repositories to store government documents, records, and data. This includes everything from policy papers and legal documents to financial records and historical data.
• Develop standardized systems: Implement clear and consistent systems for organizing, classifying, and retrieving information. This will ensure that data is easily accessible and usable in the future.
• Invest in technology: Utilize modern technology to digitize existing records and create secure databases for storing and managing information.

1. Capacity Building:

• Train staff in record management: Provide training to government employees on proper record-keeping practices, data management, and the use of archiving systems.
• Promote knowledge sharing: Encourage a culture of knowledge sharing within government institutions. This can be done through mentorship programs, workshops, and online platforms.
• Invest in education: Support educational institutions in developing programs that focus on archival science, library studies, and information management.

1. Institutional Strengthening:

• Develop clear legal frameworks: Enact laws and regulations that mandate the preservation of institutional memory and outline clear procedures for managing government records.
• Establish independent oversight bodies: Create independent bodies to monitor and enforce compliance with record-keeping regulations and ensure the long-term preservation of institutional memory.
• Promote transparency and accountability: Foster a culture of transparency and accountability within government institutions. This will encourage employees to value and preserve institutional memory.

1. Community Engagement:

• Involve civil society organizations: Partner with civil society organizations to raise awareness about the importance of institutional memory and to support initiatives aimed at preserving it.
• Engage with local communities: Work with local communities to document and preserve their own histories and traditions. This can help to complement official records and provide a more complete picture of Somalia’s past.
• Promote research and scholarship: Encourage research and scholarship on Somali history, culture, and institutions. This will help to ensure that institutional memory is used to inform policy-making and development initiatives.

1. International Cooperation:

• Seek technical assistance: Collaborate with international organizations and experts to obtain technical assistance and training in record management and archival science.
• Share best practices: Participate in international forums and networks to share best practices and learn from other countries’ experiences in preserving institutional memory.
• Mobilize resources: Seek financial support from international donors to support initiatives aimed at preserving institutional memory in Somalia.
  By implementing these strategies, Somalia can begin to address the issue of forfeiting institutional memory and ensure that its rich history and knowledge are preserved for future generations.