Development Assistance for Peacebuilding by Rachel M. Gisselquist

Author:Rachel M. Gisselquist [Gisselquist, Rachel M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781138080461
Google: 9fmWAQAACAAJ
Amazon: B074CDYFBH
Barnesnoble: B074CDYFBH
Goodreads: 35848701
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2017-08-01T00:00:00+00:00

Conclusion

Although FCA’s secondment in Somalia was a relatively small-scale project, analysis of this experience, we argue, can contribute to broader discussions in the literature on statebuilding and local ownership. In particular, it contributes to discussion on aid-funded programmes to support ‘embedded’ external advisers within government agencies – a form of technical and capacity assistance. A number of such initiatives exist, but little analysis is available about how, why and even whether they work. Drawing on unique entrée into FCA’s experience in Somalia, this case study speaks directly to this lacuna in the literature. Several unique aspects of FCA’s secondment – such as the fact that it was locally initiated and, in comparison to other ‘embedded’ assistance efforts, operated in a more unstable political environment – may also be worthy of consideration by other development actors.

The relevance of FCA’s experience to peacebuilding and statebuilding is underscored by the continuing emphasis on local ownership in development assistance and the New Deal’s emphasis on ‘country-owned and -led pathways out of fragility’.63 FCA’s experience suggests that addressing fragility through such embedded assistance may well increase in popularity in the future. This would require that such assistance be seen by both fragile states and donors alike as an effective and ‘locally owned’ means to support state capacities. Notably, feedback from both Hosh and his cabinet secretary suggests that the secondment was praised especially from the perspective of perceived Somali ownership. Furthermore, it is clear that Abdile’s secondment contributed to the Ministry’s basic capacity: at the very least, Abdile’s secondment increased the Ministry’s staff from two to three individuals.

Although FCA was not willing to set definite objectives for the secondment, Abdile’s mission was nonetheless considered a ‘success’ by FCA as well. Through Abdile, FCA received an indirect presence at the core of the transition process where it was able to support the TFG’s capacity and simultaneously support Somali ownership. The secondment served FCA’s commitment to a RBA, providing an opportunity to support an incapacitated duty-bearer. The secondment further took FCA forward in its thinking and action when operating in a fragile context. This experience helped to build FCA’s own capacity and served to encourage FCA to expand its work to other fragile states, including through contributions to the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding.

More broadly, it is still too early to say whether the successful ending of the transition will result in peaceful development in Somalia. At the time of this writing, there is no peace in Somalia. Somalia is still among the most fragile states in the world. On 20 August 2012, the Federal Parliament of Somalia took over its responsibilities, testament in part to the Ministry’s successful overseeing of the roadmap. Observers have raised several strong critiques about the process.64 Indeed, several key critiques are suggested above, and it is worth noting the limitations faced during the secondment in terms of impact on key aspects of the transition process. For instance, as discussed above, the composition of the Elders Council was to some degree

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.