Impact of Migrants on Peace Processes: A Case Study of Somalia, 1992 - 2016.

Migration is currently one of the top pressing concerns of the world with most of the European and other western countries overwhelmed with the increased influx of refugees from countries such as Somalia, Syria, Iraq, Eritrea and others. This study focused on Somalia as one of the major migrant sources in the world and examines the impact of migrants on peace processes. Specifically, the study examined what the role of Somali migrants has been on negotiations on cessation of hostilities in Somalia; on transition in Somalia and on consolidation phases in Somalia. The study examines migrants contributions to peace processes from the period 1992, which marks the beginning of massive migration of people out of the country following the collapse of Siad Barre regime in 1991, that plunged the country into turmoil, to 2016, when the study was carried out. This study adopted a case study approach which employed qualitative methods of data collection to describe the impact of migrants on peace processes. The study used secondary data and primary data from Somali migrants; locals; and officials from organizations that dealt with migrants. The qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. This involved developing a classification system to record information collected from secondary sources including journals, internet sources. In applying thematic coding, the frequency with which an idea or an issue appeared was interpreted as a measure of importance, attention or emphasis. The qualitative analysis uncovered patterns, themes, and categories and included both creative and critical faculties in making carefully considered judgments about what is really significant and meaningful in the data. The study established that migrants mainly participated in peace process through remittances that were meant to support relatives back home. Migrants also insignificantly aided in ‘unofficial’ funding of peace process and provision of technical and expert advice where needed. Migrants’ efforts to aid peace process was reported to be harbored by clan lines and external influence. The study recommended more integration of migrants in peace process with existing political, economic and social systems to engage the migrants and enhance the bond between migrants and peace building activities in Somalia.