IMPACT OF COLONIALISM HERITAGE ON SOMALIA

Unlike most of the colonized territories, greater Somalian lands were exploited by three powers during the colonial period: Italy, Britain, and France. The administration of modern Somalian borders by two of them -Britain and Italy- with different styles has been an important factor for Somalia in experiencing chronic problems and inefficiency of state institutions in the post-colonial period. Therefore, Somalia’s inability to use its unique geopolitical location and economic capacity is related to colonial heritage. As a result of the power struggle in Somalia after the end of colonialism, Siad Barre seized power. However, after the Barre era, the country literally entered a process of collapse and was forgotten by the international community. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Somalia with a delegation in 2011 symbolizes a turning point for the fate of Somalia. Thus, after this significant visit, Somalia draw more attention and there has been an increase in the engagement of other states toward Somalia. Today, regional and global rivalry in Somalia become more apparent than before. This study examines the impact of colonialism in the context of state rebuilding. In the study, he economic, social and political reflections of the colonial period on Somalia are analyzed. As a consequence, the study claims that the heritage of colonialism in Somalia has not disappeared yet.