Call for Chapters for the Edited Volume

"Intervention and Political Order in Somalia: Clash of Perspectives"

The Institute of Intercultural and International Studies (InIIS) at Bremen University, the Department of Political Science Makerere University, and Cavendish University Uganda invite contributions to an edited volume titled “Intervention and Political Order in Somalia: A Clash of Perspectives”.  This volume emerges from a four-year research project, “Knowledge Production in German Peace and Security Policy (KNOWPRO),” led by Prof. Dr. Klaus Schlichte and Dr. Jude Kagoro, and funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

Background

Since the collapse of Siad Barre’s regime in 1991, Somalia has experienced a prolonged breakdown of political order. Multiple initiatives—from the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to the African Union’s peace missions (AMISOM, ATMIS, and the newly launched AUSSOM)—have sought to stabilize Somalia. Yet violence, insurgency, and political fragmentation persist.

External interventions, regional dynamics, and Somali internal politics have generated a complex web of perceptions, interests, and competing strategies for "rebuilding" Somalia. These efforts have been shaped by diverse and often conflicting "voices"—from international organizations and foreign states to Somali civil society and diaspora groups.

This edited volume seeks to explore how different actors perceive the Somali crisis, articulate their interests, and attempt to influence the country's political trajectory.

Central Themes

Two key concepts anchor the volume: Perception and Voice and Political Order.

Perception and Voice

We explore how various actors—national governments, regional organizations, international bodies, Somali communities, and diaspora groups—frame the Somali crisis and propose solutions. Some voices wield influence by driving funding or military action (e.g., the EU, AU, troop-contributing countries), while others, particularly Somali voices, are often marginalized or ignored.

1. We categorize these "voices" into five groups:
2. National state actors
3. Regional organizations (e.g., AU, IGAD)
4. International organizations and major powers (e.g., UN, EU, US, China)
5. Local Somali actors (citizens, civil society)
6. Somali diaspora communities
7. Political Order

We define political order as the outcome of negotiated political settlements—processes aimed at forging agreements among conflicting parties. We hypothesize that the sustainability of any political order in Somalia hinges on the inclusion, negotiation, and harmonization of diverse voices and interests into coherent political arrangements.

Focus Questions for Contributors

We invite contributors to critically engage with questions such as:

1. What issues have different actors emphasized in addressing Somalia’s political crisis?
2. Why have certain interventions or strategies been preferred by particular actors?
3. To what extent has the suppression or marginalization of some voices hindered political settlement efforts?
4. Are the various actors' positions shaped by vested interests or genuine concern for Somalia's stability?
5. Do external and local voices converge toward shared solutions, or do they remain fragmented and contradictory?
6. How important are local Somali voices in shaping pathways toward political order? How are these voices organized and consolidated?

Who Should Contribute?

We warmly invite submissions from scholars, practitioners, policymakers, civil society actors, and professionals working in security agencies, regional organizations, and international institutions. We especially encourage interdisciplinary work and critical perspectives that challenge conventional thinking. In particular, we strongly encourage scholars and practitioners of Somali origin—whether based in Somalia or the diaspora—to share their insights, experiences, and research. Your voices are vital to shaping informed, locally grounded, and globally relevant perspectives in this volume.

Publication and Important Dates

• Publisher: Springer (July, 2026)
• Chapter Length: Maximum 8,000 words (including references)
• Submission Deadline for Abstracts: 20 June 2025
• Notification of Acceptance: 20 July 2025
• Draft Chapters Due: 20 Dec 2025

Please submit an abstract of approximately 800 words by 20 June 2025. The abstract should clearly outline the central argument, the methodological approach, and the key themes or questions the proposed contribution will address. Submissions should be sent to the editors at:

Dr. Jude Kagoro                                jude.kagoroprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de

Dr. Edward Silvestre Kaweesi          edward.kaweesiprotect me ?!mak.acprotect me ?!.ug

Prof. Dr. Klaus Schlichte                   klaus.schlichteprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de