Learning Paper: Sustainable community approaches to peacebuilding in securitised environments: case study of Somalia

Saferworld, Conflict Dynamics International (CDI) and the Knowledge Platform Security and Rule of Law Secretariat (KPSRL) organised a three-day learning event in Nairobi, from 9– 11 July 2019, to share experiences on sustainable community approaches to peacebuilding and to explore the relationship between community-level work and accountable policing in securitised environments. This event was informed by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Addressing Root Causes (ARC) fund, which aims to tackle the root causes of armed conflict, instability and irregular migration in a number of countries in Africa and the Middle East. It seeks to address two main challenges: a political system that is not delivering responsive and inclusive governance; and a lack of trust between communities which blocks leaders from building a more inclusive political structure that promotes peace.

The event focused on challenges and lessons learnt, as well as ways in which programmes can support and strengthen good practices. Saferworld and CDI showcased evidence that has been generated through the learning component of the ARC programme in Somalia. Participants from both organisations, from Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda, also shared their experiences of the challenges and lessons learnt of working in similar environments. The event was attended by representatives of the Somali government, specifically the District Commissioner of Kismayo, the Director General of the Ministry of Justice from South West State, and two senior officials from the office of the Mayor of Mogadishu.