Collective Self Defence and Stability in the Horn of Africa; a Case Study of Amisom

Abstract

Collective Self-Defense has produced different implications to various states and regions where it has been practiced. Collective self-defense entails pre-emptive use of force against emerging forces authorized under existing legal framework. This study aims at analyzing collective self defence and stability in the HoA utilizing a case study of AMISOM. It was guided by three objectives which include; to determine the nexus between AMISOM intervention in Somali and the increased Al-Shabaab attacks in the HoA region, to analyze the strategies used by AMISOM in stabilizing and securing the HoA region and to establish the challenges confronting the AMISOM in practicing collective self-defense in the HoA region. The study utilized collective security theory which was developed by Claude Jr in 1971 to examine the nexus between collective self defence and stability in the HoA utilizing a case study of AMISOM. The study adopted a pragmatic design that combines a descriptive research design and a case study to analyze collective self-defense and stability in the horn of Africa utilizing a case study of AMISOM. The study targeted a sample size of 104 respondents drawn from officials from AMISOM, Diplomats from HoA, Academics, Refugees from HoA, officials from National Counter Terrorism Center and Security experts who were deemed knowledgeable on the subject under research. The study also utilised both qualitative and quantitative methods to gather data. Qualitative data was sourced from websites, books, journals among other sources while quantitative data was gathered through use of Questionnaires and interview guide where the researcher conducted interviews with some of the respondents using Google zoom, WhatsApp Video and through telephone calls due to Covid 19 pandemic movement restrictions. From the findings, it’s clear that, there is a direct relationship between the increased and decreased Al shabaab attacks in the HoA region. The frequency of the attacks increased during the initial years of the deployment of the AMISOM troops and was directed towards the Troops Contributing Countries (TCCs) as a retaliation mechanism. Further, there are various strategies that have been adopted by AMISOM to stabilize and secure the HoA region where stabilization as a strategy has been quoted by respondents who participated in this research as the most effective. Additionally, AMISON operations have been confronted by myriad of challenges such as the problems of internal coordination among the mission’s troops contributing countries-TCCs which continue to derail achievement of its goals. The study makes various recommendations which include; there is need for creation of a buffer zone (security zone) between areas which have been pacified and those which are still held by militias. AMISON should have well elaborate exit strategy within which to pull out their troops in Somalia, stating clearly the exact date when the mission will come to an end.