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civil society in achieving the plan’s goals in this area – may also present some challenges for
organizations pursuing a focus on democratization.
Elections have played an important role in the stabilization of Somaliland, and Somaliland takes
great pride in having completed a succession of them successfully (using this success as one of
the arguments for international recognition of an independent Somaliland). While support for
civil society’s role in future elections remains important, some donors now validly suggest that
the time has come to move past this narrow focus to concentrate on issues of actual governance,
including accountability. The visibility of other issues, such as the rising rate of rape,
89
suggests
there are far wider areas in which civil society may have a key role to play.
The overwhelming focus on international recognition could potentially backfire if expectations
fail to be met. Somaliland’s continuing mantra emphasizes its achievements (more than its
challenges), particularly vis-à-vis other parts of Somalia; if these achievements are not seen to
be rewarded, stakeholders may lose faith in the benefits of pursuing a peaceful and democratic
path. The attention of the international community may be shifting to South Central Somalia
and that may leave many Somaliland stakeholders feeling marginalized. Civil society
organizations lamented their inability to attend related international conferences, stemming in
part from the government ban on joining any initiative that does not allow Somaliland
stakeholders to participate separate from Somalia. In May 2013, close to 200 organizations and
institutions, including the most commonly donor-funded civil society organizations, issued a
joint statement expressing this frustration, stating that “the Somaliland pro-democratic
movements, human rights and civil society groups would like to make it known to the
international community that we will no longer tolerate to deal Somaliland as a part of war torn
country of Somalia.”
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Somaliland Strategy Analysis Framework: Civil Society
For the purposes of this democratization strategy, analysis of civil society interests, needs and
priorities took place within a framework developed especially for this assessment. The
framework sought to view civil society through four basic lenses: the overarching environment
in which the sector operates; commonalities shared within the sector, across organizations;
issues that relate to specific, individual organizations; and needs of the individuals that comprise
them. The initial framework was developed through discussions with the assessment team, and
aimed to mirror the categories developed for each sector. The final categories, including the
addition of sub-categories, were adjusted during the workshop held with civil society
stakeholders to meld with their perspectives and perceived challenges.
A graphical representation of the Somaliland civil society framework is shown below:
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"Stiffer Penalties, Formal Justice to Curb Rape in Somaliland."
IRIN
. UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs, 28 May 2013. Web.
-
to-curb-rape-in-somaliland.>.
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"Somaliland Pro-Democratic Movements Petition."
Somaliland Sun
. N.p., 17 May 2013. Web.
.>.
