Evaluating the Contribution of Military Intervention in Attaining Peace and Stability: A Case study of AMISOM Forces in Somalia

Sovereign states view military intervention in their internal conflicts as a direct violation of their affairs and challenge its necessity especially in the modern international system. However, the use of military intervention has been increasing during the late 20th Century and more in the 21st century in different parts of the world as a way to avert serious humanitarian crisis and as a way to protect innocent civilians. One of the recent military interventions in Africa that has lasted for a considerable period of time is the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) which was deployed in Mogadishu as a peace keeping mission that would support the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia to re-establish the rule of law and functions of government. The African Union Peace and Security Council created the mandate of AMISOM and it has maintained recognition by other countries for more than 12 years. However. there are concerns over the role of AMLSOM in causing harm to Somali citizens as well as its limited gains in enhancing peace however the Al- Shabaab which have undermined its operations. This is because of the continuous threat of the extremist group Al- Shabaab and the security risk that it continues to pose to Somalia and neighboring countries such as Kenya. The study found that intervention by AMISOM had affected the areas that the Federal Government controls; protecting non-combatants and enhancing the security situation in Somalia; has affected the return of Somali's diaspora back to Somalia; and had affected the number of bombings reducing. However the study found that tensions exist between diaspora and non-diaspora Somali citizens due to perceptions of a sense of superiority in other countries such as, employment advantages, and segregation in society. In order to stabilize the situation in Somalia, the researcher suggests that a diplomatic mission in Somalia be formed in order to help deal with the political problems of the country and to increase assistance to develop the institutional capability of the Somali security forces.