Heritage Institute for Policy Studies
 | |
| Founded | 2013 |
|---|---|
| Type | Political institute |
| Location | |
Key people | Director Afyare Elmi |
| Website | heritageinstitute |
The Heritage Institute for Policy Studies (HIPS) is a think tank based in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Overview
[edit]The Heritage Institute for Policy Studies is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan research center which aims to inform and influence public policy and practice through field-based research, informed analysis and innovative solutions in the form of reports, policy briefs and public debates.
Established in Mogadishu,[1] Somalia in January 2013, the HIPS has begun writing reports and policy papers to advise the nascent Somali government, international organizations, and other local actors. In its first six months, HIPS has provided commentary and guidance on topics as diverse as educational opportunities in Somalia, displaced nationals, and domestic diplomatic initiatives in Kismayo and the self-declared state of Somaliland.[2] Notable speakers include Asha Haji Elmi, Mohamed Nur "Tarzan" and Mohamed Ali Ameriko.
As part of its mission, the HIPS will also promote a culture of learning and research in Somalia. It aims to do so by launching a series of public libraries across the country, organizing summer book fairs and offering research courses and fellowships to postgraduate students and aspiring researchers.[3]
HIPS is headed by Afyare Elmi.[4]
Controversy
[edit]In 2013, the UN Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group alleged in a report that HIPS and its Director Abdi Aynte were complicit in financial mismanagement by Somali government officials.[5] The Heritage Institute published an official response on its website, where it dismissed the allegations as false and suggested that the claims undermined the UN's commitment to transparency, accountability and integrity.[6]
On July 27, 2023 a renowned SSC-Khatumo activist, Mohamoud Gaildon, urged SSC activists and leaders not to attend the Heritage Institute annual symposium in Djibouti scheduled for October. He cited the institute's track record on the Somaliland question, expressing concerns about its stance on the preservation of Somali unity and sovereignty. Gaildon also criticized Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, accusing him of being a key ally of Muse Bihi and providing support to Somaliland forces in Las Anod with ammunition and access to international arms markets.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ Hujale, Moulid. "Hassan Mohamud: The second coming of Somalia's new president". www.aljazeera.com.
- ^ Dana Stuster, John. "Somalia's First Think Tanker on His Country: It's a 'Researcher's Gold Mine'". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- ^ "Somalia's first think tank was launched in Mogadishu". Heritage Institute for Policy Studies. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- ^ Caato, Bashir Mohamed. "From al-Shabab to the cabinet: Somalia's move fuels debate". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
According to Afyare Elmi, head of the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, a think-tank in Mogadishu, Robow's
- ^ "United Nations Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group Report 2013". United Nations Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
- ^ "Response to Monitoring Group Allegations". Heritage Institute. Archived from the original on 23 April 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
- ^ "SSC activists call for boycott of Heritage Institute gathering in Djibouti and Aynte hints privilege to attend". Radio Daljir (in Somali). 2023-07-28. Retrieved 2023-07-28.