Intersecting horizontal (group-based) inequalities and the armed conflict in Somalia

My PhD research will examine the role of inequality in the long-standing conflict in Somalia. Somalia's conflict has been ongoing for nearly three decades now and created massive human cost and displacement of people. This proposed research project aims to investigate the link between the conflict in Somalia and inequality by focusing on ethnic-based inequalities between groups such as clans, religious and regional groupings in the political, economic and cultural realms.
There is a documented connection between cultural groups-based inequality and the start of violent conflicts in countries that have been affected by conflicts. There is however little documentation of research of on how groups mobilise and when they use violence and start wars to address such inequalities. This research will investigate the strategies and mechanisms used by different groups in Somalia concerning real or perceived grievances and inequalities.
This research is salient to produce empirical research knowledge to understand better how inequality is an underlying cause of violent conflicts using Somalia's conflict as a case study since most conflicts today are between groups within countries.
The findings from this project will be valuable on a wide range of purposes such as to further the knowledge of the overlap of different inequalities and their role in destabilising societies. This research will also produce evidence-based research that informs international and local policy-making in peacebuilding and governance support in conflict-affected countries.