Governance in the Horn of Africa is frequently tested by contested elections, unconstitutional changes of government, and deeply entrenched centre-periphery frictions. Building resilient state institutions capable of delivering public goods while managing ethnic and political cleavages is the region’s most pressing internal challenge.

Governance failures repeatedly manifest as social tensions, political unrest, and violent conflict, with exclusion and inequality serving as persistent accelerants. Addressing these dynamics demands governance frameworks that go beyond institutional reform to foster inclusive political participation and equitable resource distribution.