The years after the Cold War were characterized as a confusing period, both at a global
and a regional level. From the ashes of communism rose a new world order that altered
the previous situation not only in Europe, but also in America, Africa and Asia. In this
way, many countries were affected by the change, especially in the African continent,
which for decades had become a board on which communist and liberal powers face
through the so-called proxy wars. Likewise, Somalia suffered the consequences of the new
international situation which had already developed in the late 1980s. This country, which
was a socialist state, but which surprisingly was an ally of the United States, suffered since
1991 a process of unprecedented state collapse, becoming the paradigm of Failed State.
Post-communism in the Horn of Africa is a period of instability because of terrorism,
piracy and warlordism. This is situation is a direct consequence of the collapse that
Somalia suffered in 1991. The objective of this paper will be based on analyzing the main
causes that triggered the civil war and the disintegration of Somalia. Although the internal
causes (clan group, weak state, conflicts, etc.) have traditionally been exposed as the main
reasons for this collapse, it is necessary to take into account other external reasons such
as the new international strategies, the regional situation or the progressive disinterest of
the United States in supporting Siad Barre’s regime. Considering all these causes, it will
be possible to wholly understand why Somalia became a Failed State.
