ABSTRACT
This chapter engages in a critical historical analysis of crisis and mobility in south-central Somalia since 1991. It describes the key features of the political landscape and mobility patterns in three distinct periods, as well as making some observations about earlier historical antecedents and recent events. The chapter explains that the evidence often contradicts dominant narratives of crisis pointing to crises not broadcast and normalities unnoticed and then highlights various political functions served by crisis narratives. It shows how the evidence on Somali mobilities challenges conventional images of conflict-related movements pointing to its multi-causal and differentiated nature, strategic aspects and its centrality to social change in the Somali territories. The chapter outlines key contemporary challenges for policy-makers in relation to Somali mobility. It draws on and brings together insights from various research projects carried out between 2003 and 2012, in the Somali territories and the wider region and diaspora, exploring aid, livelihoods, food security, migration, displacement, diasporas and remittances.
