Description
Post-conflict societies face unique governance challenges, particularly in managing the intersection of traditional governance structures and the rapidly evolving domain of cyberspace. This paper examines the complexities of cyber governance and policy development in post-conflict environments, using Somalia as a key case study. Somalia’s journey from a failed state towards stability has been complicated by the rise of cyber threats, the digital divide, and fragile governance structures, which pose significant barriers to effective cybersecurity policy and governance mechanisms.
Cyber governance is essential in ensuring the protection of critical infrastructure, mitigating cyber threats, and fostering long-term state-building efforts. In post-conflict Somalia the development and implementation of comprehensive cyber policies are often hindered by a lack of institutional capacity, political instability, and weak regulatory frameworks. This paper builds on existing literature about the relationship between technology and post-conflict governance (Brinkerhoff, 2006; Menkhaus, 2018) focusing specifically on the role of cyber policies in supporting or undermining state-building efforts. While mechanisms, outlined in Somalia’s NCA (2017), are steps toward creating a centralised regulatory framework, they remain underdeveloped due to the country’s fragile political context. This paper explores the complex dynamics of cyber policy and governance in Somalia, a country grappling with the remnants of civil unrest while navigating new frontiers in cyberspace. Cyber governance, including policies and strategies, are crucial to rebuilding efforts as they intersect with national security, international collaboration, and regional stability. Drawing on recent developments in Somalia and the involvement of regional and international organisations this paper examines how existing frameworks address critical infrastructural vulnerabilities, digital divide and support cyber resilience in fragile political environments, compounded by social factors. By addressing the implementation gaps and the role of external actors in these processes, the paper aims to propose a more sustainable path for cyber governance and its implications for state-building efforts.
