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Getting Somalia Wrong?: Faith, War and Hope in a Shattered State
Somalia is a failed state, representing a threat to itself, its neighbours and the wider world. In recent years, it has become notorious for the piracy off its coast and the rise of Islamic extremism, opening it up as a new 'southern front' in the war on terror. At least that is how it is inevitably portrayed by politicians and in the media.
Mary Harper presents the first comprehensive account of the chaos into which the country has descended and the United States' renewed involvement there. In doing so, Harper argues that viewing Somalia through the prism of al-Qaeda risks further destabilizing the country and the entire Horn of Africa, while also showing that though the country may be a failed state, it is far from being a failed society. In reality, alternative forms of business, justice, education and local politics have survived and even flourished.
Provocative in its analysis, Harper shows that until the international community starts to 'get it right' the consequences will be devastating, not just for Somalia, but for the world.
Mary Harper presents the first comprehensive account of the chaos into which the country has descended and the United States' renewed involvement there. In doing so, Harper argues that viewing Somalia through the prism of al-Qaeda risks further destabilizing the country and the entire Horn of Africa, while also showing that though the country may be a failed state, it is far from being a failed society. In reality, alternative forms of business, justice, education and local politics have survived and even flourished.
Provocative in its analysis, Harper shows that until the international community starts to 'get it right' the consequences will be devastating, not just for Somalia, but for the world.
232 pages, Paperback
First published February 9, 2012
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380 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 3, 2012
This book blew the pirates out of the water at its SOAS launch in the spring. Packing a lecture room full of political figures, journalists and campaigners, BBC journalist and author Mary Harper held her own with aplomb as the subject matter heated argument.
Currently the most famous story about Somalia is the pirates, and Mary Harper’s adventure with the pirates is very well known. After trying to contact them for the BBC for some time, she let her daughter call them one day (‘they are under P for Pirates’ is one of my favourite lines from any news story ever). They answered and engaged with the little girl, which was a breakthrough for communications (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7754622.stm). While acknowledging all of this, Getting Somalia Wrong emphasises that there is much, much more going on in this country than what hits our news in the West. The issue of tribe was the most contentious at the launch, Somalis and Somali ex-pats divided over whether it was of central importance or more cultural than political influence. Watching Mary Harper chair this rowdy debate was a lesson in empathetic, informed mediation. When I read the book I felt that her writing did the same. It is accessible, colourful and perceptive journalism, not academic but still a clear analysis of a highly complicated situation.
It feels as if pirates off the African coast are rather old news today, but this is not an adventure from old boy’s literature from the British Empire. The reality of this story is more interesting and challenging than the story we expect to hear.
£12.99 Zed Books 978-1842779330
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Getting-Somal...
http://maryharper.co.uk/pages/journal...
Currently the most famous story about Somalia is the pirates, and Mary Harper’s adventure with the pirates is very well known. After trying to contact them for the BBC for some time, she let her daughter call them one day (‘they are under P for Pirates’ is one of my favourite lines from any news story ever). They answered and engaged with the little girl, which was a breakthrough for communications (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7754622.stm). While acknowledging all of this, Getting Somalia Wrong emphasises that there is much, much more going on in this country than what hits our news in the West. The issue of tribe was the most contentious at the launch, Somalis and Somali ex-pats divided over whether it was of central importance or more cultural than political influence. Watching Mary Harper chair this rowdy debate was a lesson in empathetic, informed mediation. When I read the book I felt that her writing did the same. It is accessible, colourful and perceptive journalism, not academic but still a clear analysis of a highly complicated situation.
It feels as if pirates off the African coast are rather old news today, but this is not an adventure from old boy’s literature from the British Empire. The reality of this story is more interesting and challenging than the story we expect to hear.
£12.99 Zed Books 978-1842779330
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Getting-Somal...
http://maryharper.co.uk/pages/journal...
April 9, 2015
I read this on one long plane ride, because I was embarrassed as a Kenyan never to have read a book about Somalia. It answered a lot of questions, opened my eyes to a land that I have never visited but now would like to, and got me excited about finally getting to Nurrudin Farah, who I have started to read in the past but never finished. The motivation for my reading was a recent atrocity by Al-Shabab, and I agree with the reader who says that any journalist writing about Somalia should be required, at a minimum, to read this book first.
September 11, 2017
Somalia. A country that conjures up images of drought, famine, war, piracy, Islamism and overall chaotic violence and complete failure as a nation-state. Yet, is that only so?
The journalist Mary Harper here recounts the recent history of the country (its colonial heritage, but mostly since the overthrown of Siad Barre) and, given the traditions and culture of the Somali shows why foreign interventions so far all have been complete failures, if not counter-productive (e.g. fishermen turning pirates, Islamism morphing into al-Shabaab).
Detailed yet clearly argued and accessible, 'Getting Somalia wrong?' can thus read like a bitter indictment or, as the author herself admits, 'a cautionary tale of how not to do it in terms of foreign policy or humanitarian intervention.' However, balancing the tragic fate of Somalia itself with that of Somaliland and, to some extent, Puntland, her book leaves space for hope by showing how different approaches are still possible for peace, stability and growth. The point is, such approaches can work only if the West changes its outlook and hence policies towards this complicated part of the world; a change that in the 'War on Terror' is becoming even more and more needed and urgent.
Now, one can wonder if some of her points may not be naïve, to say the least (e.g. her opinion of the Union of Islamists Courts and her what-if type of scenario if they had been supported instead of overthrown). But, all in all, here is a must read for anyone wanting to understand such a country by going beyond the clichés fed by the medias. A fascinating and enlightening read.
The journalist Mary Harper here recounts the recent history of the country (its colonial heritage, but mostly since the overthrown of Siad Barre) and, given the traditions and culture of the Somali shows why foreign interventions so far all have been complete failures, if not counter-productive (e.g. fishermen turning pirates, Islamism morphing into al-Shabaab).
Detailed yet clearly argued and accessible, 'Getting Somalia wrong?' can thus read like a bitter indictment or, as the author herself admits, 'a cautionary tale of how not to do it in terms of foreign policy or humanitarian intervention.' However, balancing the tragic fate of Somalia itself with that of Somaliland and, to some extent, Puntland, her book leaves space for hope by showing how different approaches are still possible for peace, stability and growth. The point is, such approaches can work only if the West changes its outlook and hence policies towards this complicated part of the world; a change that in the 'War on Terror' is becoming even more and more needed and urgent.
Now, one can wonder if some of her points may not be naïve, to say the least (e.g. her opinion of the Union of Islamists Courts and her what-if type of scenario if they had been supported instead of overthrown). But, all in all, here is a must read for anyone wanting to understand such a country by going beyond the clichés fed by the medias. A fascinating and enlightening read.
November 11, 2012
A seemingly more honest account of Somalia than the last journalist's book I read. Harper focuses much more on the history and conflicts within Somalia with the pirates being almost peripheral. She also doesn't get ideologically sidetracked by succumbing to the need for international intervention. Unlike the last book (Pirate State), she proposes self-determination with a much more open stance by the international community to work with what's in place rather than vilify and scorn Somalia as diseased, war-torn, impoverished, and hungry where pirates wreak havoc on the seas and the Islamic militants wreak terror on land. She points out successes in Somalia like the territories of Punt Land and Somaliland. Somaliland, which is demanding recognition from the international community as an independent nation, has working political and economic systems and a form of democratic pluralism that doesn't cut out the clan system or the elders of that system, but rather puts them at the center. She also goes on with much exuberance about the booming telecommunications industry and the livestock industry--it gets a little redundant with all the talk of non-regulation and free market driven economies the Somali way. I think her key points are well taken: self-determination and "much less" oppositional interference from the international community. She speaks critically of peace conferences that go on for months held outside of the county and never amount to anything except letting the indulgence of diplomats go to extreme levels. I see some clear contradictions in reporting between Harper and the writer of Pirate State. So I still need to read and investigate this more. All in all, a decent book, if not a little redundant at times.
March 23, 2012
I don't hand out five stars to a book very often, especially after Denis Beckett took me to task over a couple of reviews (we still need to talk about that Denis)but Mary Harper's new book on Somalia deserves all of them. I'll write more on this later.
September 24, 2012
Enjoyed the book, I would like to hear more from the US embassy perspective.
April 15, 2021
Love the message and great at explaining it's point, but at times felt more like an article than a book - a bit one dimensional and rushing over some arguments without exploring them critically.
Very eye opening though
Very eye opening though
Read
March 2, 2025Excellent Intro, exactly what I wanted
April 27, 2013
Bottom Line: A GREAT READ!
Snapshot Takeaway:
Before a journalist writes a Somalia story for a paper—they should be required to first read this book.
NOTES:
Intro:
Harper take issue with the notion of the ‘failed state’ label which is important because as she points out, when was Somalia ever a working state.
Importance of not simply equating idea of Somalia with Mogadishu—the two aren’t interchangeable.
2007 intervention overthrow first source of stability in almost 20 years.
“Trouble in Somalia can mean trouble across the Horn of Africa.” This stems from the idea of the “Greater Somalia” and the substantial linguistic and ethnic Somali population living throughout the neighboring countries.
Clan and Country:
- Camels a symbols of Somali life—as a currency—as a lifeblood of society at large—for transport, for trade, for marriage.
Oral history and storytelling remains central to Somali life. Oral poetry stems from figures like the Mad Mullah of late 19th century (to early 20th) to popular rapper K’naan
Qat is also central and a point of contention and economy.
4.5 formula for clan is widely contested: Darod, Dir, Hawiye and Rahanweyn. Al-Shabab seeks to subvert/overtake clan culture. However, lineage still remains of incredible importance. Harper aptly describes the complexity and fluidity of clan structure today where alliances are important but there are so many sub-clans that outside observers (and even students) are unable to permeate their web.
History:
Harpers devotes only 25 pages to Somalia’s history but does so with journalistic flair and skill, interspersing colorful quotes and anecdotes through her retelling of drier dates and figures. It is here that she hits her stride and were graduate students steeped in the mundane, heavily-reviewed but poorly written academic writing will appreciate her writing prowess.
She hits the high points as she takes reader through Somalia’s contact, conflict and expansion
Following Siad Berre falls, she describes a “country without government, affected by vicious, unpredictable and widespread violence.”
The international intervention of course did little to stop it and in many ways served to only further solidify the position of the warlords, encourage mal-intentioned entrepreneurs and intensify the urban conflict (Bradbury 63).
Her mention of the myriad ‘self-declared’ presidents is apt as this is a very real occurrence. A new one was ‘elected’ just recently: http://www.somaliareport.com/index.ph...
She points to the ingenuity of the Somali people in living without a state as holding myriad lessons for addressing the issue today in Somalia and throughout the world.
Islamism:
Most Somalis don’t practice militant Islam—they are in fact mainly moderate Sunnis. They’ve mainly clung to sufi theosophy—not sharia.
While militant jihad has reared its head throughout their history it has often play the role of reaction in their history
Show Al-Itihaad as an Al-Shabab precursor—and as a purist reaction to amalgamated Somali Islamic practice.
The effectiveness of the UIC and the order brought (at the expense of personal freedoms)
Fascinating details of her own communication and efforts at insight into the Al-Shabab organization. She also captures the noted worry of their import and exportation of radical jihad.
She correctly surmises that violent Islamism has always existed in Somalia’s peripheries and has reacted to outside intervention—taking advantage of it to move to the forefront.
Islam does not equal bad—all the time.
Snapshot Takeaway:
Before a journalist writes a Somalia story for a paper—they should be required to first read this book.
NOTES:
Intro:
Harper take issue with the notion of the ‘failed state’ label which is important because as she points out, when was Somalia ever a working state.
Importance of not simply equating idea of Somalia with Mogadishu—the two aren’t interchangeable.
2007 intervention overthrow first source of stability in almost 20 years.
“Trouble in Somalia can mean trouble across the Horn of Africa.” This stems from the idea of the “Greater Somalia” and the substantial linguistic and ethnic Somali population living throughout the neighboring countries.
Clan and Country:
- Camels a symbols of Somali life—as a currency—as a lifeblood of society at large—for transport, for trade, for marriage.
Oral history and storytelling remains central to Somali life. Oral poetry stems from figures like the Mad Mullah of late 19th century (to early 20th) to popular rapper K’naan
Qat is also central and a point of contention and economy.
4.5 formula for clan is widely contested: Darod, Dir, Hawiye and Rahanweyn. Al-Shabab seeks to subvert/overtake clan culture. However, lineage still remains of incredible importance. Harper aptly describes the complexity and fluidity of clan structure today where alliances are important but there are so many sub-clans that outside observers (and even students) are unable to permeate their web.
History:
Harpers devotes only 25 pages to Somalia’s history but does so with journalistic flair and skill, interspersing colorful quotes and anecdotes through her retelling of drier dates and figures. It is here that she hits her stride and were graduate students steeped in the mundane, heavily-reviewed but poorly written academic writing will appreciate her writing prowess.
She hits the high points as she takes reader through Somalia’s contact, conflict and expansion
Following Siad Berre falls, she describes a “country without government, affected by vicious, unpredictable and widespread violence.”
The international intervention of course did little to stop it and in many ways served to only further solidify the position of the warlords, encourage mal-intentioned entrepreneurs and intensify the urban conflict (Bradbury 63).
Her mention of the myriad ‘self-declared’ presidents is apt as this is a very real occurrence. A new one was ‘elected’ just recently: http://www.somaliareport.com/index.ph...
She points to the ingenuity of the Somali people in living without a state as holding myriad lessons for addressing the issue today in Somalia and throughout the world.
Islamism:
Most Somalis don’t practice militant Islam—they are in fact mainly moderate Sunnis. They’ve mainly clung to sufi theosophy—not sharia.
While militant jihad has reared its head throughout their history it has often play the role of reaction in their history
Show Al-Itihaad as an Al-Shabab precursor—and as a purist reaction to amalgamated Somali Islamic practice.
The effectiveness of the UIC and the order brought (at the expense of personal freedoms)
Fascinating details of her own communication and efforts at insight into the Al-Shabab organization. She also captures the noted worry of their import and exportation of radical jihad.
She correctly surmises that violent Islamism has always existed in Somalia’s peripheries and has reacted to outside intervention—taking advantage of it to move to the forefront.
Islam does not equal bad—all the time.
September 3, 2013
Just a super solid, accessible, and interesting 'Somalia 101'. Harper covers a lot of ground in a quick and easy overview, dabbling in poetry and culture; diversity and evolution of Islamic practices; pirates and their supposed raison d'etre to defend Somali waters from overfishing, their easy success in ransoming ships, and the overlooked suffering of kidnapped working class crews; and all the wars, including the War on Terror. Her objective, well-met, was to explore contemporary politics and recent history, to challenge misconceptions, and affirm the diversity of experiences and political systems that are lost amongst the typical Somali narrative of famine and fundamentalists. Actually, as a food systems scholar, I found disapointingly little about famine and food security in here for my interest.
Anyway, I am just a huge fan of Somaliland, so it was great to read a book that waved the Somaliland banner as a proud example of an indigenous, self-determined, democratic governance structure outside the nation-state paradigm. So often we hear of the Somali anarchy of South-Central, where power is accessed by those who take it with force and where the economy, in the absence of state regulations and enforcement mechanisms, "ironically resembled ... a radical structural adjustment program" (p. 115). Yet so rarely do we listen to the complex, careful anarchism, elements of which are visible in the purposeful, careful power-sharing of Somaliland. I have a Somaliland flag patch sewn proudly onto my backpack, a gift from a friend who found it (and recognized it!) deep in some dusty backalley shop selling maps and imports in Montreal. Somaliland is one of the most intriguing stories of a people/peoples purposefully creating a governance structure outside of the nation-state. Obviously, Somalilanders have been demanding international recognition as a state for years, to great general frustration. However, Harper makes the point that part of Somaliland's success and ability to create uniquely Somali structures is likely thanks to the lack of attention paid by the same international community that has royally fucked the rest of the country. It's a good point, if loaded. I really eat up these chances to read about this place.
Anyway, I am just a huge fan of Somaliland, so it was great to read a book that waved the Somaliland banner as a proud example of an indigenous, self-determined, democratic governance structure outside the nation-state paradigm. So often we hear of the Somali anarchy of South-Central, where power is accessed by those who take it with force and where the economy, in the absence of state regulations and enforcement mechanisms, "ironically resembled ... a radical structural adjustment program" (p. 115). Yet so rarely do we listen to the complex, careful anarchism, elements of which are visible in the purposeful, careful power-sharing of Somaliland. I have a Somaliland flag patch sewn proudly onto my backpack, a gift from a friend who found it (and recognized it!) deep in some dusty backalley shop selling maps and imports in Montreal. Somaliland is one of the most intriguing stories of a people/peoples purposefully creating a governance structure outside of the nation-state. Obviously, Somalilanders have been demanding international recognition as a state for years, to great general frustration. However, Harper makes the point that part of Somaliland's success and ability to create uniquely Somali structures is likely thanks to the lack of attention paid by the same international community that has royally fucked the rest of the country. It's a good point, if loaded. I really eat up these chances to read about this place.
January 8, 2016
Great overview which was not biased or prejudiced about various political players. Unemotional, easy to read to get a picture of the situation in Somalia. No exaggerations, over-emphasis of opinion or siding with in this book. Much easier to get a general picture rather than weeding through horror stories. Favorable point of view of Somalian people. Good opener for more reading on the subject.
February 24, 2013
Said G. tells me that 2013 is a big year in Somalia ... new government in Mogadishu ... al-Shabaab being pushed back, pushed out of the villages ... so fascinatingly, this book is already one year dated (things didn't stand still) ... all the same, this is an amazingly clear and concise account of what you'd need to know about Somalia to start talking about it ...
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July 2, 2013What about Somaliland. The northern part of Somalia which united Somalia in 1960 and regained its independence from the rest of Somalia in 1991. Somaliland has been enjoying relative peace and stability over two decades. It's home of democracy and stability but not internationally recognized.
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