About the authors

Jos Meester is Senior Research Fellow at the Clingendael Institute’s Conflict Research Unit. Jos’ work focuses on the functioning of the private sector in conflict-affected environments. In particular, he is interested in supply chains spanning across political divisions, as well as the close relationship of political and private-sector elites and its consequences for the stability of political power structures. Jos previously worked as a management consultant on supply chain management and market assessments in developed and developing economies.

Johannes Claes is Research Fellow at the Clingendael Institute’s Conflict Research Unit. Johannes works on the relationship between fragility and conflict, mobility and broader issues related to political economy. He previously worked in Senegal and Niger as a researcher and aid worker.

Claire Elder is Research Associate at the Clingendael Institute’s Conflict Research Unit. Claire Elder is a post-doctoral fellow at LSE’s Centre for Public Authority and International Development. Her research focuses on public authority and the political economy of state-building in weak states. Claire is currently undertaking two projects in Somalia – one on public contracting and political financing, and another on diaspora strategising and elite control.

Guido Lanfranchi is Junior Researcher at the Clingendael Institute’s Conflict Research Unit. Guido’s research interests revolve around the interplay between economic, political and security dynamics. His work focuses on Africa and the Middle East, with a view on the role of the European Union in these regions. Before his experience at Clingendael, Guido interned at the Council of the EU, where he worked on EU-Africa relations.

Photo credits

A fruit vendor in Mogadishu physically distancing
© Feisal Omar/Reuters