Political Science

Somalia is one of the countries significant in Africa. Throughout the history of the country, an important characteristic of it is the fact that Somalia has always been involved in the practice of migration and immigration among its own people and non-Somalis settling in Somalia. As a result, Somalia has been impacted by the trends, practices and the presence of a consistent migration and immigration pattern among people who gets inside or goes out of the country. This is impacting several different aspects of the socio-cultural, socio-economic and socio-political life of Somalia.

Migration and Immigration and Somalia
Somalia is one of the countries located in Africa, situated in the Horn of Africa. The concept of globalization is not lost in Somalias history. In the past, Somalia was a busy place where trade and commerce flourished, the practice involving many different countries and exposing and introducing one culture with another in the process. Colonial powers managed to grab Somalia at the expense of a long, drawn out war and battle for resistance to which the Somali patriots fought well before they were conquered with the use of UK of more advanced weapons of war. There has been many routes involving Somalia and linking Somalia to many different countries. This is because of the role of Somalia in global trade in the past. Because of the many different routes, migration and immigration has become something that is very convenient for many people who came in or came out of the country for many different reasons besides trade (religious reasons, political reasons, etc). Today, the internet features websites of organizations like Amnesty International (2010) and the Global Fund for Women (2010) which address the social welfare-related problems of the people of many countries including Somalia. Armed conflict in the continent affecting Somalia and its people led to instances of displacement of people and problems with basic necessities like food and clothing as a result of the armed conflict which directly and indirectly affects the migration and immigration of people to and from Somalia. The ethnic makeup of Somalia is characterized by the presence of different groups of people with different racial, ethnic and tribal backgrounds who, over time, has settled inside Somalia.

Overview of migration and immigration in Somalia
 Migration and immigration towards and away from Somalia is a characteristic of the country that has been very active for many years. Those who have reasons to leave the country do leave, while those who have interests inside Somalia  economic, political, cultural, religious, practical  enter the country and is a significant factor in the migration and immigration trend in the country. The ethnic make-up of Somalia included traces of the old Puntite ethnicity, not to mention the mix of many different other ethnic groups who came inside Somalia during the era of antiquity for the purposes of trade and commerce to which Somalia was known for in the past. Some of these non-Somali traders settled in and contributed to the diversification of the ethnic background and genealogy of the people who is now known as Somalis. Similar to these traders, Muslims who brought Islam to Somalia and settled in Somalia after fleeing their respective Muslim countries in the Arab parts of the world also contributed to the ethnic mix of Somalia and contributed to the genealogy and ethnicity of the current races and ethnic groups in Somalia. Lastly, there are kingdoms and city-states inside Somalia that define the ethnic groups as they are known collectively. An example of this is the Dervish State (Fahlbusch, Lochman, Bromiley, Mbiti, 2008, p. 119).

Role of migration and immigration in ethic makeup of Somalia
Migration and immigration has contributed to the ethnic makeup of Somalia. People coming from outside Somalia and settling in the country adds to the growing ethnic make-up of Somalia. The individuals and groups of people leaving Somalia to settle in another country are also impacting the ethnic make-up of the country. Some of the early traders from Asia and Europe interacted with local Somali people and married native Somalis, influencing the ethnic makeup of Somalia because of migration and immigration. The same was the case for those who entered Somalia for other reasons. Basically, the presence of many routes going in and going out of Somalia, and the many reasons for doing so, contributed to the traffic of people in and out of the country. This influenced the ethnic make up of Somalia in the past and how the ethnic make up is characterized today in the modern era.

Effects of Migration and Immigration in Somalia
Migration and immigration trends, patterns and practices have affected Somalia in many different ways. The effects included impacting the religious sphere of the country and impacting the economics of the country as well.

Religious
One of the aspects of social life that migration and immigration trends in Somalia affected is the religious aspect of the social life of the people inside the country. For example, the entry of individuals coming from Arab and Muslim countries was the reason why Somalia is dominated by the Islamic faith (Fahlbusch, Lochman, Bromiley, Mbiti, 2008, p. 119). Because of the entry of other individuals and groups of people, other religions like Christianity were also introduced. The entry of religion because of migration and immigration trends and practices in Somalia was significant because the religion in practice here is affecting the culture of the Somalia. Religion dictates a significant aspect of the overall life inside Somalia. This is the significance of the impact of religion. This can be broken down in more particular detail for further analysis and discussion on the particular details of the religion and how specifically it impacts Somalia, its people and its society and culture. For example, the colonial masters introduced Christianity in Somalia. Those who were converted were affected by the change of lifestyle, perspective, behavior and attitude in tune with the rigors of the new faith. Its negative setback is that the presence of many different religions in the country can act as a cause of divisiveness in the country, especially when issues put Christians and Muslims in opposing sides. Today, there are more missions coming from particular religious sects geared at introducing new religion to the country. It can be seen as a positive development since it brings the opportunity for Somalis to find the religion that suits them the most. The creation of more and more religious groups creates socio-political blocs in the country. While diversity is ideal, it can also lead to more confusion among the Somalis in the end.

Economics
Besides religion, economics of Somalia was also affected by the migration and immigration trends inside the country. There are many different economic impacts resulting from migration and immigration trends inside Somalia. In the past, Somalia was benefited by having many different valuable items that they can use or trade for other items to other countries. From gold to frankincense, ivory, to other items like spices, Somalia was a bustling commercial hub that has a very stable economics because of the active trade. Today, immigration and migration also impacts Somalia. The entry of western entities in the country makes it possible for the economics to enjoy the benefits of the entry of the US dollar and the Euros.

Other significant societal issues
There are other significant issues resulting from the migration and immigration in and out of Somalia. For example, the migration and immigration resulted to the loss of men in the household that allowed women to discover a new role in the family and the society. Such development is being met with issues and resulting to increased social conflict owing to the patriarchal and paternalistic Somali culture and tradition (Global Fund for Women, 2010). This problem is one of the things being addressed by the Global Fund for Women (2010). The migration and immigration involving westerners and Caucasians inside the country also creates issues related to minorities, particularly of abuse of the minorities and the delegation of the minorities as second class citizens in their own country, to which some people find cause of indignation. This particular scenario is real because it is a result of the migration and immigration patterns and trends. People go out of Somalia in search for jobs and to start a new life and contribute to the brain drain (Hansen, 2005, p. 556) for Somalia, while British and other western countries put their presence their because of many different intentions (economic, practical, trade and commerce, military, political, etc).

Conclusion
Somalia has benefited from the entry and exit of people in and around its borders This is largely because of trade and because of the pursuit of spreading Islam and lately, because of military and political reasons and agenda geared at protecting economic and bigger political considerations. It is unfortunate that among the effects of the trend of migration and immigration in Somalia is the negative impact on Somalia and its people, culture and society, affecting its women, and its minorities among the many groups of people characterized in particular demographic groups. This is proof that movement of individuals can impact the society in many different ways. The resulting condition can be a catalyst for a change or can simply trigger problems and worsen already existing issues inside the society, like the dilemma Somalia has today in lieu of the trends and practices of migration and immigration involving the country.