For over a decade after the fall of President Siad Barre’s government in 1991, Somalia endured one of the most difficult political collapses in modern African history. With no central government, the country descended into chaos, marked by clan rivalries, warlord rule, and civil conflict. This dark period left Somalia without functioning national institutions and led to widespread suffering, displacement, and insecurity.
The Djibouti Peace Process: A New Hope
In 2000, a significant step toward reconciliation and state building was taken when Somali political figures, civil society representatives, and clan elders came together in Djibouti for a major peace conference. This landmark meeting led to the establishment of the Transitional National Government (TNG), and Mr. Abdiqasim Salad Hassan was elected as the new transitional president.
President Abdiqasim’s administration marked the first attempt to reintroduce a central government after years of anarchy. Though many Somalis, especially in the capital Mogadishu and parts of southern Somalia welcomed his government, it faced enormous challenges.
One of the biggest obstacles to President Abdiqasim’s leadership was the lack of cooperation from influential warlords and clan leaders, many of whom controlled vast territories. These warlords viewed the central government as a threat to their power and autonomy and refused to recognize or support the transitional administration.
During this time, Somalia’s political scene became increasingly fragmented. Some Somali factions and diaspora groups, skeptical of the Djibouti process, convened a separate conference in Ethiopia. This event was supported by the Ethiopian government, which had its own strategic interests in Somalia and viewed some factions of the TNG with suspicion. While Ethiopia backed this initiative, many Somalis saw it as foreign interference, further complicating reconciliation efforts.
As internal divisions deepened, Somali politicians split into competing camps. While some supported the TNG and President Abdiqasim, others aligned with warlords or pursued regional autonomy. Notable among these was Puntland, a northeastern autonomous region led by Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, a former Somali army colonel who had served under Siad Barre. Puntland distanced itself from the TNG, arguing for a federal system rather than a centralized authority.
This era saw not only political division but also worsening humanitarian conditions. Militias controlled ports, roads, and towns; famine and insecurity spread; and millions of Somalis sought refuge abroad.
Recognizing the need for a more inclusive peace process, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), backed by the African Union and the broader international community, organized another major reconciliation conference in Kenya (2002–2004). All major Somali stakeholders — including the TNG under President Abdiqasim, various warlords, traditional elders, and civil society — were invited.
After long negotiations, the conference led to the formation of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in 2004. Mr. Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, the former Puntland leader and ex-military officer, was elected President. His election marked a shift toward federalism and a more militarized approach to governance and security.
President Yusuf’s background in the Somali military and his leadership of Puntland gave him credibility among some factions, but his government also faced resistance, particularly in Mogadishu and southern regions where militias and Islamic movements held sway.
A Fragile State in Progress
Though the TFG was internationally recognized and represented a new hope for Somalia, it operated largely from exile in Kenya and later from the city of Baidoa due to security concerns. Its authority remained weak, and conflict with insurgent groups, including the rising Islamic Courts Union (ICU), soon erupted.
Despite these difficulties, the 2004 transition was an important milestone in Somalia’s path toward statehood. It brought together factions that had previously refused to talk and laid the groundwork for future peace efforts, including the eventual adoption of a provisional constitution in 2012 and the establishment of the Federal Government of Somalia.
Author
Abdiwali Shidow
managing Director