Hargeisa, Republic of Somaliland— A research paper comparing the peacebuilding and state-building experiences of Somaliland and Somalia is expected to be included in coursework at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), according to its author, Dr. Jamal Ali Hussein.
Titled “Peacebuilding vs. State-Building: Collective Action and Divergent Paths in Somaliland and Somalia,” the paper was published in the June 2026 edition of the Cornell International Affairs Review.
Dr. Jamal announced on Tuesday that he had been informed that the paper was expected to feature in a class related to international relations at the prestigious US university.
The study examines the contrasting approaches and trajectories of Somaliland and Somalia in peacebuilding and state-building, contributing to academic discussions on governance, political development and institution-building in the Horn of Africa.
Expressing gratitude for the news, Dr. Jamal said the prospect of his work being studied at a leading international university was particularly meaningful after the considerable time and effort he had invested in the research.
He also expressed hope that the paper would become a useful reference for scholars, researchers and other writers exploring the political development of Somaliland and Somalia.
If confirmed, the paper’s inclusion in the university’s coursework would represent a significant academic milestone for the author and provide an opportunity to broaden international academic engagement with the two countries’ distinct experiences.
The reported inclusion has not yet been independently confirmed by Johns Hopkins University.