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Somalia: Several Challenges Limit U.S. and International Stabilization, Humanitarian, and Development Efforts

GAO-08-351 Published: Feb 19, 2008. Publicly Released: Mar 04, 2008.
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Highlights

Somalia has lacked a functioning central government since 1991. In December 2006, the Ethiopian military intervened in Somalia to support Somalia's transitional government, opening what many considered a window of opportunity to rebuild the country and restore effective governance. The United States has been the largest bilateral donor to Somalia, providing roughly $362 million in assistance since 2001. In this report, GAO assesses (1) U.S. and international efforts to stabilize Somalia, (2) U.S. and international efforts to provide humanitarian and development assistance to Somalia, and (3) strategic planning efforts to guide U.S. activities related to Somalia. GAO reviewed documents from U.S. and international organizations; interviewed U.S., United Nations (UN), Somali, and other officials; and conducted fieldwork in Kenya and Ethiopia. GAO assessed U.S. strategy using the six desirable characteristics of an effective national strategy that GAO previously developed.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of State In order to better inform Congress on U.S. policy and activities in Somalia and the Horn of Africa, the Secretary of State should, in conjunction with the Secretary of Defense and the National Security Advisor, develop a more detailed U.S. strategy for Somalia, including the full range of U.S. government activities in the region and all six elements of an effective national strategy.
Closed – Implemented
In response to a policy review ordered by the Administration in early 2009, the United States Government developed a strategic framework for U.S. engagement in Somalia that incorporated all relevant agencies, including State Department. The strategic framework sets broad U.S. objectives. In addition to the strategic framework, in 2012 State Department developed a shorter term State-specific strategy and implementation plans. Together the strategic framework and the State Department specific implementation documents address the six desirable elements of a national strategy.

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Topics

Economic stabilizationFederal aid to foreign countriesForeign aid programsForeign governmentsForeign policiesInternational agreementsInternational cooperationInternational economic relationsInternational food programsInternational organizationsInternational relationsStrategic planning