Evaluating Peace Making Processes, the Case of Igad in Somalia Conflict
Abstract
This study evaluates the extent to which IGAD policies, strategies and implementation
practices have since supported peace processes in Somalia. The study contributes to the
ongoing discussion on conflict and conflict resolution in Somalia by analyzing the impact
of IGAD’s peace building initiatives in the Somali conflict and recommends ways of
enhancing sustainable long term peace in Somalia. The main objective of the study was
to determine the extent to which IGAD has contributed to peace building activities in
Somalia; the specific objectives were to examine the challenges faced by IGAD in its
approach to peace building in Somalia and to recommend ways of enhancing sustainable
long term peace building mechanisms in Somalia. The central question of this study was
to what extent has the activities of IGAD promoted peace and stability in Somalia. The
study assumed that IGAD’s role in Somalia has not enhanced Peace building in Somalia
hence the instability in Somalia is still a threat to regional stability and international
peace. Therefore, new approaches are required towards peace building in Somalia.
Theoretical perspective that guided the study is the problem solving approach which
argues that conflict is part of human experience and attempts to find ways to minimize
the impact of conflict. The data for the study was collected through interviews. The
interviews included: questionnaires for the diplomats and officials from
Intergovernmental Authority on Development and focused group discussion with Somali
analysts and community elders. Secondary data was obtained from both published and
unpublished literature. The study found out that IGADs contribution to the Somali peace
process is affected by rivalry among states, lack of enough resources, member states
national interests as well as weak secretariat of IGAD. The study therefore recommends
that unilateral third party intervention cannot build peace alone and that the primary
responsibility for peace building in Somalia lies with the Somali people to be given the
lead role and approaches that nurture inclusion and participation among Somali identities
be the guiding factor in finding a lasting solution to the Somali Conflict. This is in
addition to strengthening the institutions of IGAD so as to have enough capacity to
enforce IGADs decisions, also IGAD should look for alternative sources of funding so
that its activities can be implemented without delays.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
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