From George H. W. Bush to Bill Clinton: an analysis of U.S. foreign policy in Somalia (1992-1993)

Abstract

In the early 1990s, Somalia descended in a state of chaos: Siad Barre’s government collapsed due to a clan-based civil war. The Somali Rebellion managed to remove him from power, prompting the conflict and leaving a huge power vacuum. As a matter of fact, the overthrown government was not replaced by a new central government. Somalia thus became a “failed state.” In addition, a quarter of the population was in danger of starvation due to one of the worst droughts in the continent of the last century. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) estimated that around 300,000 people died because of the famine. This is the starting point of the research. The thesis consists of four chapters: firstly, the causes for the collapse of the Siad Barre’s regime are analysed. Somalia's population is divided into clans that can trace their ancestry to a common ancestor, despite the nation's homogeneity in terms of language, religion, and ethnicity: the research demonstrates that this is one of the main factors for Barre’s fall. The past of Somalia as former English and Italian colony exacerbated irredentism and self-determination sentiments. Also, the increasing violence and oppression exercised by Siad Barre, the mass atrocities and reprisal killings against civilians clan members worsened the situation. The downfall of Siad Barre and the subsequent state of anarchy represents a dark chapter in the history of Somalia.

Secondly, UNITAF and UNOSOM II rules of engagement (ROE) are examined. The two missions, while similar in scope, were managed differently. Several aspects are touched, for instance their peacekeeping role, the use of force, the management of the operational command, and the key figures in both operations. However, both UNITAF and UNOSOM II did not restore the political and economical scenario of Somalia, and the country was left in a state of chaos not different from the one in 1992.

Thirdly, George H. W. Bush main pillars of his foreign policy are considered. In particular, the shift from a bipolar system to a unipolar one following the demise of the Soviet Union, the concept of “new world order”, and his “beyond containment” policy. Furthermore, a focus on his foreign policy regarding Somalia is examined. What results is the caution of the Bush administration in intervening in Somalia, especially due to the lack of U.S. interests in the country and the fear of a greater U.S. involvement. Nevertheless, at one point intervention became inevitable.

Lastly, Bill Clinton foreign policy is either analysed. The doctrine of enlargement, the NAFTA trade agreement, dealings with former Soviet Union, the expansion of NATO, and major international challenges like the conflict in the Balkans and the massacre in Rwanda are examined. Concerning Somalia, Clinton had to deal with UNOSOM II: the operation was conceived as a humanitarian mission but turned into a military conflict. Public acceptance of the U.S. mission declined, and the complete withdrawal of US forces was announced by Clinton and completed in March 1994. The research was conducted by reviewing the most relevant scholarly publications and primary sources, mainly written in English and French.