Somalia: Creating Space for Fresh Approaches to Peacebuilding

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foreword 6 These challenges, but also some recommendations for policy, are presented in more depth in the following articles: al-Shabaab, part of the solution to the problems faced by Somalia? by Ryne Clos, Civilian support and the foundations of al-Shabaab expansion by Douglas Ansel, Re-thinking Somali national identity: Nationalism, state formation and peacebuilding in Somalia by Ashley Lyn Greene, US engagement in Somalia: frames, missed opportunities and alternative options by Laura Weis, Impact of international media in Somalia by Jessica Brandwein and Criminalising peace or containing violence? The impact of the decision in the US Supreme Court case Holder vs. Humanitarian Law Project on peacebuilding in the Somali context by Shinkyu Lee. As an introduction to the volume, Professor Lederach has added a very powerful article that reflects on the theories of change beyond policies of isolation versus engagement with blacklisted groups in conflict, thus generating a global relevance for the issues explored in this publication. I would like to thank Professor John Paul Lederach and his students as well as LPI’s team in Nairobi for their dedicated work that has brought this important publication into life. It is our hope that the articles will serve as food-for-thought for creative discussions on alternative perspectives for an inclusive peacebuilding in Somalia. Jenny Svensson Programme Director Life & Peace Institute
addressing terrorism: a theory of change approach Addressing terrorism: A theory of change approach John Paul Lederach Introduction The recent “Holder vs. Humanitarian Law Project” U.S. Supreme Court decision of June 21, 2010 has sharpened the debate about engagement with blacklisted groups and has directly impacted the wider communities where designated foreign terrorist groups operate. Anti-terror legislation has consequences and relevance for peacebuilding organizations whose engagement with these local communities and mid-level leaders creates ambiguous but potentially significant legal ramifications under the recent Supreme Court decision. As a practitionerscholar I have been struck by the lack of basic discussion on the assumptions and theories undergirding the “listings” policy and dearth of evidence-based research testing the theories around these pressing issues. An explicit clarification of the theories of change that purports to address violent conflict and terrorism is needed. To elucidate a theory of change is not an abstract endeavor. It requires commitment to specify assumptions and demonstrate how a particular activity and approach functions and unfolds toward desired outcomes. In this brief essay I want to provoke the theoretical imagination. I propose that such an imagination holds one of the keys for improving our capacity to assess and evaluate the central strategies for responding to violent conflict and terrorism. Let me start by making two observations and clarifying one premise. First, since 9/11 and even more with the “Holder vs Humanitarian Law Project” decision we have witnessed a divide emerging between two competing theories of change. The designated foreign terrorists list proposes a change strategy based on isolation. Peacebuilding proposes a strategy of engagement. Both terms merit a brief description. By isolation I do not refer to the classic use of the word in political science that delineates a strategy of not participating in international affairs, conflicts or issues. Rather as connected to the policy of designating foreign terrorists, isolation essentially proposes a strategy of identifying, targeting and limiting individuals and groups who espouse violence defined as terrorism. Isolation as a strategy legally limits material support, the interpretation of which increasingly includes contact, consultation or dialogue with blacklisted groups, as these activities have been determined to contribute to their legitimacy and success. Engagement is not used here in its military form, quite the contrary. Engagement refers to strategies that require contact, consultation and dialogue. In particular, strategic peacebuilding suggests that engagement must happen with a wider set of people and stakeholders at multiple levels of society than is typically undertaken in official processes. 1 Peacebuilding operates within the wider civil society affected by violent conflict. Engagement suggests continuous contact, consulta- 1 See Lederach and Appleby (2010) and Schirch, 2005. 7
Page 1: Somalia Life & Peace institute / kr
Page 4 and 5: Views expressed in this publication
Page 6 and 7: table of contents 4 7 20 28 33 43 5
Page 10 and 11: john paul lederach 2 An emerging an
Page 12 and 13: john paul lederach 10 ings results
Page 14 and 15: john paul lederach 12 local and wid
Page 16 and 17: john paul lederach 8 This literatur
Page 18 and 19: john paul lederach 13 See in partic
Page 20 and 21: john paul lederach 18 Policy recomm
Page 22 and 23: yne clos 1 To access this history,
Page 24 and 25: yne clos 12 Ibid, p. 390. 13 Debra
Page 26 and 27: yne clos 26 For details on Al-Shaba
Page 28 and 29: yne clos 44 Marchal, “A Tentative
Page 30 and 31: douglas ansel 1 A succinct discussi
Page 32 and 33: douglas ansel 11 Wood, Competing fo
Page 34 and 35: douglas ansel 32 foreseeable future
Page 36 and 37: ashley lyn greene 2 Lewis, I.M., A
Page 38 and 39: ashley lyn greene 15 Kusow, A.M.,
Page 40 and 41: ashley lyn greene 38 Timeline: Cycl
Page 42 and 43: ashley lyn greene 27 Ibid., p. 39.
Page 44 and 45: ashley lyn greene 42 ment of a viab
Page 46 and 47: laura weis 4 Menkhaus (1997), pp. 1
Page 48 and 49: laura weis 23 Menkhaus (1997), p. 1
Page 50 and 51: laura weis 42 Ledearach, p. 47. 43
Page 52 and 53: laura weis 57 Gross, p. 34. 58 Conv
Page 54 and 55: jessica brandwein 52 Impact of inte
Page 56 and 57: jessica brandwein 9 Hammond, “Fra
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jessica brandwein 56 Table 1. Perce
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jessica brandwein 22 See ““You
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jessica brandwein 60 Percentage of
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shinkyu lee 1 See, for a succinct a
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shinkyu lee 11 Somali NCF, “Human
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shinkyu lee 24 The Life & Peace Ins
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Somalia CReAtinG SPACe FoR FReSh AP
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