This paper aims to inquire whether Somaliland’s secession from Somalia is morally right considering Buchanans theories regarding secession. The paper analyses the notion of self-determination and secession from the perspective of Somaliland. Further the analysis also discusses the deficiencies when it comes to international law and secession. The analysis also inquires regarding the insubstantial criteria for the right to secede and the unwillingness from the outside world to shed light on the case of Somaliland. The material for this paper consists mainly of literature, published work and research from political scholars. The paper concludes that Somaliland does in fact have a moral right for secession and formal statehood. However, the absence of a negotiating partner (Somalia) and geopolitical location suppresses the chances for international recognition.

Sammanfattning Studiens syfte är att undersöka somaliska kvinnors förväntningar, upplevelser och erfarenheter av socialtjänstens individ- och familjeomsorg i Sverige. Vidare är syftet att ge förståelse för kvinnornas erfarenheter av föräldraskap i Sverige i jämförelse med Somalia. Studien utgår ifrån en kvalitativ metod där semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med fem somaliska kvinnor. Resultatet analyserades utifrån en ad hoc metod där utvecklingsekologisk systemteori, Bourdieus teori om fält, kapital och habitus, makt och kultur användes som analysverktyg. Studiens huvudsakliga slutsatser är att kvinnorna har negativa förväntningar på socialtjänsten och att socialtjänsten "tar barn". Negativa upplevelser av socialtjänstens stöd förekommer hos kvinnorna som har fått barn omhändertagna av socialtjänsten vilket medförde känslor av underlägsenhet och maktlöshet gentemot socialtjänsten. Neutrala och positiva upplevelser berodde på att kvinnorna hade kunskap om socialtjänstens arbete. Avsaknaden av den utvidgade familjen som var en del av det kollektivistiska Somalia och svårigheterna att förstå de nya normerna, värderingarna och reglerna i det individualistiska Sverige, innebär utmaningar för kvinnornas föräldraskap. Genom att ge information tidigt om socialtjänsten kan det förhoppningsvis förebygga negativa förväntningar och upplevelser av socialtjänstens stöd. Även information om föräldraskap i Sverige behöver ges ut vilket kan bidra till att människorna känner sig mer som en del av samhället.

Magister Public Health - MPH / Delays in seeking effective treatment for tuberculosis increase the level of disease morbidity and mortality rate as well as the risk of its transmission in the community (WHO, 2006b). In Somalia, Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the greatest health threats as it is the leading cause of death in the economically active age groups and in people living with HIV/AIDS (WHO, 2004). This study was carried out with the aim of determining factors influencing delays in seeking TB treatment in Belet-Weyne district. / South Africa

Magister Legum - LLM / This thesis sets out to examine the practice of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in Somalia and its impact on women. The political instability in Somalia provides an opportunity for the increase of all forms of violations of human rights. The prevalence of FGM/C in Somalia has been declared as the highest in the World, but the Somali Government has not taken any steps to address the problem. This study was motivated by the dire situation of women in Somalia. Women suffer from gender inequality in the sense that societal practices – and norms dictate that women’s sexuality be controlled with a view to suppressing their sexual desires. In this way; their rights are violated. Infibulation and sunna performed on women come with immediate and late complications including death, infection, sexual dysfunction, and exposure to HIV infection. Somalia is one of the African countries where women’s rights are almost non-existent. As Dirie notes: ‘if genital mutilation were a problem affecting men, the matter would long be settled.’ International human rights instruments help this study to investigate whether customary practices such as FGM/C are harmful to Somali women and children and whether they constitute violence against women. This practice prevents women from enjoying fundamental rights as recognized by international human rights standards. It is universally known that FGM/C constitutes a violation against women and girls’ rights because they are forced to embrace the practice. Consequently, several rights are violated such as the right to equality, the rights to freedom from all forms of torture and cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment, the right to freedom from harmful customary practices, the rights of the child, and the right to health. The persistent practice of FGM/C is mainly a result of the absence of specific legislation proscribing it as well as the political instability that creates an environment conductive to the wanton violation of the rights of citizens. A recent Somali provisional constitution has recognised FGM/C as a violation of children’s rights but the law is not enforced.Infibulation and sunna are part of Somali culture. That is why attempts to eradicate the practice create a dilemma for the authorities. This has invariably placed Universalists and cultural relativists on a collision course. Ensuing government inaction has resulted in numerous reservations being made to stall the adoption of certain instruments of human rights law such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). This is because cultural relativists do not consider FGM/C as a violation, but as an expression and fulfilment of Somalis’ culture as provided for in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948. As argued by Packer, human dignity and life represent universal values for everyone; even if FGM/C is a part of culture, certain limitations must be implemented to preserve people’s fundamental rights. This thesis agrees with the stance that FGM/C violates women’s health. This is due to the absence of proper legislation in Somalia, inadequate literacy and the collapse of the political system. Recommendations include the proposal that legal strategies to eradicate FGM/C must be accompanied by broad policies and grassroots programmes such as educational activities to explain to people the risks of this practice and how communities can remedy it without affecting their cultural tenets.

ABSTRACT This study sets out the understanding of the type of reconciliation approach used in Somalia, the participating leaders’ understanding, attitudes and actions towards the reconciliation as well as the role of civil society involved in the reconciliation in Somalia. the study used a qualitative abductive desk research methodology. The results based on secondary data drawn from the literature while the analysis has been used on John Paul Lederaches’ reconciliation approaches pyramid. The main findings explain that one level approach of reconciliation has been employed in Somalia, the former leaders' understanding, attitudes and actions have contributed to deepen the conflict, while the current leader's understanding, attitudes and actions seems to help promote national reconciliation in the country and the civil society role has been gradually mounting as the country has been under post conflict peacebuilding. The study identified three main issue are among the determinants of the reconciliation failure in Somalia firstly Somali protracted conflict would not have resisted if for example, the UN and international community had learned from the successful pragmatic reconciliations in the country. Secondly, it was also noted that as long as the supremacy of the clan politics continued, the role of civil society especially women would be compromised. And finally, the risk of reconciliation is greater in the involvement of the unscrupulous leaders.

Has the recent large-scale piracy off the coast of Somalia finally come to an end? The world has responded to the piracy threat in the region with several maritime large-scale anti-piracy operations designed to protect shipping vessels and to deter and arrest pirates. Even though these actions may have contributed to the decline in piracy, there is doubt whether this is a long-term solution, as it fails to address the underlying causes of piracy that is often found ashore. By using theory-developing and theory-consuming strategies this essay has developed a theoretical framework, devised to combat piracy, from factors considered to trigger piracy and theories regarding counterinsurgency. The framework is then used to examine whether the international community's collective contribution in the country contributes to a long-term solution of Somali piracy. The results portray an identification of several measures that have taken place ashore, which initially do not aim to combat piracy, but are considered to contribute to both reducing piracy and to be a more long-term solution to the problem. But even if these measures contribute to a long-term solution, it is difficult to say if they are sufficient enough for Somali piracy to cease completely.

Somalia has recently come out of a two decade long civil war and is currently in a post-war and rebuilding phase. The national health system, largely crippled during years of conflict, is faced with a significant maternal mortality ratio and the debilitating effects of a high fertility rate. To combat these issues, the new Somali government is working toward creating a strong national health system that addresses some of these key indicators. With a lack of human resources in healthcare and the need for better reproductive health services, the need to invest in educating a new generation of health service professionals is evident. To address this gap in education, many educational institutions with health science faculties have opened in the last decade but the quality and accuracy of their curricula has yet to be examined. My thesis addresses this gap in knowledge. Through a multi-methods study that included reviewing curricula and curricular materials, conducting key informant interviews, and facilitating focus group discussions, I was able to learn about the quality and comprehensiveness of reproductive health topics in health service professionals‟ education and training. Religion, culture, logistical issues, and lack of oversight shape the way reproductive health is taught to health students. This study provides an important foundation to help inform key stakeholders working to improve the Somali health system.

This study is an exploration of the ways in which four Somali students use language to express their identity and assert their views. The study explores the ways in which the Somali students' home culture and the school culture influence the development of their identity. Students participated in a lunchtime focus group on a regular basis over a period of several weeks. Using a micro-ethnographic approach to analysis, the students' interactions were reviewed while considering the ways in which knowledge was affirmed and contested, examples of intertextuality and intercontextuality were identified, and ideational notations or larger world view constructs were pinpointed. In this approach, specific events and interactions were linked to the broader contexts and connections that the participants were using in their communications. The result suggests a new and deeper understanding of the way in which these Somali learners use language to express their identity and negotiate the world. As a result of the examination of their interactions, educators can take from these participants' experiences some ideas about issues to consider when working with second language learners and their families. In this study students used language to assert their own identities as well as to position others in the group. These identities were continually negotiated by students and teachers alike. Students at times pushed back against ways in which they were identified. The Somali learners spoke of changing roles in the family as a result of learning English and being relied on to translate for parents who were non-English speakers. There were occasions where students used language in meaningful and contextually appropriate ways, but without understanding the power of the terms they used. Teachers have a significant role to play in shaping learners use of language and terms and guiding them to a more nuanced understanding of language. By examining children's language, it became apparent that teachers can provide critical information to help parents of second language learners negotiate the school and district resources. Students did express their Somali language and culture as they negotiated their school experience.

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