This book argues that a leading cause of the political instability in the Horn of Africa is a crisis of governance, caused by extreme centralization of power, weak institutions, and the failure to institutionalise the responsible use of authority.

Chapter 1: Introduction John Markakis Chapter 2: The State of Governance in Africa Charles Fombad Chapter 3: Federal Systems of Governance in Africa: Patterns and Pitfalls Nico Steytler Chapter 4: Federalism, Devolution, and Territorially-Based Cleavages in Africa: Does Institutional Design Matter? Assefa Fiseha Chapter 5: Regional Organisations in the Horn of Africa: From State-Centred to People-Centred Integration? Harry Verhoeven and Zeray Yihdego Chapter 6: Kenya's Ethno-Politics and Devolved Governance: The Complexities and Dilemmas of Diversity and Inclusion Conrad Bosire and Assefa Fiseha Chapter 7: South Sudan: Devolution by Presidential Decree versus Constitutional Federalism Alfred Sebit Lokuji Chapter 8: Federalism in Somalia: Derailed or on Track? Ibrahim Harun Chapter 9: Lessons in Fiscal Federalism for Somalia: Building Fiscal Sustainability and National Cohesion Solomon Negussie Chapter 10: Constitutional Adjudication and Constitutional Governance in the Horn: Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan Assefa Fiseha and Zemelak Ayele