THE NEIGHBORING COUNTRY FACTOR IN INTERNAL CONFLICTS IN EAST AFRICA: THE CASE OF THE SOMALI CIVIL WAR

Year 2024, Volume: 22 Issue: 51, 196 - 218, 30.01.2024

Belma Engin Güder

https://doi.org/10.35408/comuybd.1390468

Abstract

Numerous actors and factors play an important role in the internal conflicts in East African countries, including neighboring countries and bad neighborly relations. On the other hand, neighboring countries are the external actors most exposed to the negative effects of internal conflicts in the regional context. The motivations and cost-calculated policies pursued by countries can shape the emergence, progress, and resolution of internal conflicts in their neighbors. In order to drive conflicts in line with their own regional power and national interests, neighboring country policies that support the conflicting parties, favor the continuation of conflicts, or undermine attempts to resolve them can make internal conflicts inextricable. On the other hand, neighboring countries that support conflict resolution processes and peace initiatives, and act with an awareness of the long-term damage that continued conflict and violence will cause to themselves and their region, can contribute to the resolution of internal conflicts. One of the clearest examples of the negative effects and damages of bad neighborly relations can be seen in the Somali civil war. The policies and strategies of neighboring countries in the direction of their own interests and motivations are noteworthy in the continuation of the Somali civil war for decades with different characteristics. This study examines the potential of pro-conflict or pro-peace policies of neighboring countries to affect the internal conflict process through the case of the Somali civil war. In this study, it is argued that pro-conflict neighboring country policies can prolong the duration of the conflict and increase the intensity of violence, whereas transforming bad neighborly relations and improving the understanding of cooperation between neighboring countries can contribute to both the resolution of internal conflicts and regional peace and security. From this point of view, it is argued in this study that a peaceful environment in Somalia and the region can be achieved by transforming neighborly relations into an understanding of cooperation rather than competition and conflict.

Keywords

Africa, Somalia, Neighborhood Relations, Conflict, Conflict Resolution

DOĞU AFRİKA’DAKİ İÇ ÇATIŞMALARDA KOMŞU ÜLKE FAKTÖRÜ: SOMALİ İÇ SAVAŞI ÖRNEĞİ

Abstract

Pek çok aktör ve faktörün etkili olduğu Doğu Afrika ülkelerindeki iç çatışmalarda, komşu ülkeler ve kötü komşuluk ilişkileri de önemli bir rol oynamaktadır. Diğer yandan da bu ülkeler, komşularındaki iç çatışmaların bölgedeki olumsuz etkilerine en çok maruz kalan dış aktörler olmaktadır. Ülkelerin çeşitli motivasyonlarla ve maliyet hesaplarıyla izlediği politikalar, komşularında yaşanan iç çatışmaların ortaya çıkışı, gidişatı ve çözümü süreçlerini şekillendirebilmektedir. Çatışmaları kendi bölgesel güç ve ulusal çıkarları doğrultusunda yönlendirmek üzere çatışan tarafları destekleyen, çatışmaların devamından yana tavır alan veya çözüm girişimlerini baltalayan komşu ülke politikaları, iç çatışmaları içinden çıkılamaz hale getirebilmektedir. Kötü komşuluk ilişkilerinin olumsuz etkilerinin ve zararlarının en açık örneklerinden birini Somali iç savaşında görmek mümkündür. Bu çalışma, komşu ülkelerin çatışma ya da barış yanlısı politikalarının iç çatışma sürecini etkileme potansiyelini Somali iç savaşı örneği üzerinden ele almaktadır. Çalışmada, çatışma yanlısı komşu ülke politikalarının çatışma süresini uzatabileceği ve şiddet yoğunluğunu arttırabileceği; kötü komşuluk ilişkilerinin dönüştürülmesi ve komşu ülkeler arasındaki iş birliği anlayışının geliştirilmesinin ise hem iç çatışmaların çözümüne hem de bölgesel barış ve güvenliğe katkı sağlayabileceği ileri sürülmektedir.

Keywords

Afrika, Somali, Komşuluk İlişkileri, Çatışma, Çatışma Çözümü

Thanks

Çalışmamı yüklediğim andan itibaren ayıracağınız tüm vakit ve emeklerinize şimdiden teşekkürler.

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