Authority: Authority is measured as the ability of the state to provide security and exercise control within its territory.93 In Somalia, divisions between clans and tensions between the FGS and the autonomous regions within the country have undermined the ability of the central government to enact binding legislation and establish effective control. [...] Nonetheless, the worsening security situation in recent months, characterized by the resurgence of Al-Shabab and withdrawal of Ethiopian forces, has led to a deterioration of the government’s ability to provide security to the population and exercise effective control over the country.94 Legitimacy: Legitimacy is defined as the population’s allegiance to the state and focusses on state-society rel. [...] Capacity: Capacity is the potential for the state to respond and provide resources to the population.98 The absence of a functional state government in Somalia for 20 years has decimated the capacity of the country. [...] Continued gains by Al-Shabab threaten security and reinforce the notion that the FGS is unable to maintain a monopoly on the use of force.101 The repatriation of Somali refugees from the Dadaab refugee camp is resumed placing added pressure on the weak infrastructure in the country and leads to increased resentment by the regional governments towards the centre. [...] For instance, the devolution of power could assist in bolstering the legitimacy of the government by creating stronger state-society relations and ensuring greater representation of marginalized groups.xxi The implementation of an effective federal system also has the potential to enhance the capacity of the government to provide basic services to the population and increase its ability to establi.
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