Promoting Peace and Security in Mogadishu: An International Organizational Perspective

Abstract

This study examines the critical Promoting Peace and Security in Mogadishu: An International Organizational Perspective,addressing a significant gap in localized research on their effectiveness, challenges, and operational dynamics within this fragile urban context. The research seeks to understand how IOs contribute to stabilization efforts and identify barriers to sustainable peace in a city that has long been the epicenter of both conflict and international intervention.The study is grounded in three key theoretical frameworks. Liberal Institutionalism explains how IOs foster cooperation and reduce conflict through structured platforms for dialogue and joint action. Peacebuilding Theory focuses on addressing the root causes of conflict and promoting social reconciliation, while State-building Theory emphasizes the importance of constructing legitimate and capable institutions as a foundation for long-term stability. Together, these theories provide a robust lens to analyze the multifaceted interventions of IOs in Mogadishu. a quantitative correlational research design was employed, with data collected from 172 respondents representing IOs, Somali government officials, and local communities through structured questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, including Pearson’s correlation and ANOVA, were used to evaluate the relationship between international interventions and peace and security outcomes. The methodology ensured a systematic assessment of the impact of various IO initiatives, from peacekeeping missions to development programs.Key findings reveal a dichotomy in IO effectiveness. Short-term interventions, such as UN peacekeeping (72.1% approval) and AU military operations (75.6% approval), were highly successful in reducing violence and enhancing security. However, long-term efforts to address governance deficits (e.g., UN programs targeting root causes: 60.5% approval) and foster political reconciliation (AU: 58.1%) were less impactful. NGOs emerged as indispensable actors in grassroots service delivery (78.5% approval) but faced significant operational challenges, including funding shortages and access restrictions (74.4%). Additionally, the study highlighted coordination gaps, particularly IGAD’s regional strategies that sometimes misaligned with Mogadishu’s immediate priorities.The study concludes that while IOs play a pivotal role in mitigating violence and delivering humanitarian aid, sustainable peace remains elusive due to fragmented strategies, limited local ownership, and persistent structural challenges like Al-Shabaab’s insurgency. To address these gaps, the study recommends three key actions: enhancing local inclusion in peacebuilding processes, improving coordination among IOs to align humanitarian and development efforts, and adopting flexible, long-term funding mechanisms to support NGOs and state-building initiatives.The research contributes valuable empirical evidence on IO effectiveness in urban conflict zones and validates theoretical frameworks in the context of fragile states. However, limitations such as security-related data collection constraints and the underrepresentation of local voices suggest the need for further studies with broader community engagement. The original value of this study lies in its ability to bridge macro-level peacebuilding theories with micro-level realities in Mogadishu, offering context-specific insights that can inform more effective policies and interventions.