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The Institute focuses on a wide range of topics and issues within international relations, such as security, migration, the environment, and the economy. These topics include but not limited to:

LAAS GEEL INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The Institute focuses on a wide range of topics and issues within international relations, such as security, migration, the environment, and the economy. These topics include but not limited to:

Topics

Traditionally, when studying international relations of Somaliland, the focus does not extend beyond narrative diplomatic history and the careers of individual Somaliland statesmen. Though the Somaliland state had a foreign policy from its birth, diplomacy only developed recently with the domestic importance of Somaliland foreign policy not receiving significant attention. In addition, Somaliland diplomacy and foreign policy approaches aimed at helping the country have been and have remained an under-researched area. It is the Institute’s priority to study Somaliland foreign policy and train the government officials who engage in the areas of diplomacy and foreign affairs.

Geopolitical factors and the geostrategic location of the Horn of Africa are the primary factors that have made the Horn of Africa a contested region by both super and middle powers. It is the role of the region’s intellectuals to analyze how a region which has a decades-long history of tragic tale of endemic social conflict and political fragmentation can benefit its significant location in the globe, thus find a valid solution. It is the Institute’s primary focus to examine key domestic and foreign factors that contribute to the region’s security concerns and fragilities.

Geopolitical contestations and port infrastructure competition among the regional and international actors is a new phenomenon in the Horn of Africa. The development of the Port of Berbera, the construction of the Berbera Corridor and the completion of the Berbera Special Economic Zone are one of the most debatable agendas in local and regional forums. This infrastructural development has also coincided with the changing political dynamics of the region which has had a domino effect on regional power relations. It is the institute’s major focus to study how Berbera infrastructures can shape the country’s political, economic and social landscape.

Climate change is a global issue and one of the most serious challenges in the twenty-first century threatening the lives of many. Africa has experienced a disproportionate share of climate change and variability which threatens the lives of rural and urban communities. Climate change remains a major research topic that the Institute plans to focus on both in the short and long-term.

Migration has emerged as a critical political and policy challenge in recent years in matters such as integration, displacement, safe migration and border management. Migration receives major attention from international news media. Boat refugees from Africa, dead bodies washed up in the Mediterranean shores, and migrants illegally crossing the southern border of the United States of America present well-known migration scenarios. The Institute considers migration as an area that must be studied in the context of the Horn of Africa.

The African states have two interrelated key problems: there is a disconnect between African histories, civilizations and modern African societies, and second, a disconnect between the individual African states and their citizens. The institute aspires to narrow that gap and bridge between the state and the citizens by studying why those gaps exist.

Since 2002, Somaliland has been practicing multiparty politics and held series of elections. Elections constitute an important element of liberal democracy. While the future of elections and democracy on the African continent remain open to conjecture, Somaliland is an oasis of democracy and multiparty politics. Therefore, it is important to study how Somaliland political elites can avoid reverting to political dictatorships and personalized rule which is common in non-democratic societies.

LAAS GEEL INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

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The Laas Geel Institute of International Relations is a world-class teaching, training, and research-intensive institute dedicated to providing quality teaching and training on international relations.

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