Understanding Local Dynamics of Peacekeeping Operations, Humanitarian Aid and Development Initiatives on Somali Conflict – Interviews in Ethiopia 

Background

My research examines the combined effects of third-party peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, and development interventions on resiliency of different actors in civil conflict, using Somalia as a case study.  Understanding the integrated effects of these interventions over time requires knowledge of what is happening on the ground among stakeholders and primary actors at the local level, how these local level dynamics impact the broader conflict, and the result on broader regional interests.

Ethiopia is a key regional player with long-standing strategic interests in the Somali conflict.  These interests involve complex security and economic concerns that include the presence of Ethiopian Somalis in the Somali regional state of Ethiopia and their claims upon the Ethiopian government (supported by extremists in the conflict in Somalia), a large influx of Somali refugees from the conflict in South Central Somalia, and violent cross-border spillover from Somalia.

 

As a result, Ethiopian has participated in various interventions in Somalia over the past two decades, and is currently participating in peace operations to address national and human security concerns, is providing humanitarian aid and sanctuary for refugees, and is a regional leader in development initiatives to reduce the risk of conflict by fostering a stable and productive environment in the Horn of Africa.  These initiatives involve many different sectors – government, civil society, private enterprises, international and regional non-governmental organizations, and academia.

I will engage a cross-section of key stakeholders in Ethiopia who are (or have been) involved these initiatives.   Specific areas of interest are:

• Ethiopian involvement in the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM)

o   Training and deployment of peace keeping troops

o   Civilian-military affairs

• Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Office of the Facilitator for Somalia Peace and National Reconciliation
• United Nation organizations in Ethiopia that run humanitarian aid and development programs for Somalis:

o   UNOPS, UNDP, WFP, World Bank, UNHCR, International Labor organization,

• NGOs and CSOs in Ethiopia working on humanitarian aid and development to address Somali conflict (refugees in Ethiopia and/or direct services in Somalia)

o   Mercy Corps, Medecins San Frontiers Switzerland; Oxfam, Save the Children, CARE

• Ethiopian scholars and analysts within academia and think tanks who study issues that arise around the Somali conflict and Ethiopian efforts to resolve them.

Profiles of Interview Subjects

Humanitarian Aid and Development

• Senior scholars and researchers in the area of regional peace keeping and security
• Decision makers responsible for strategic analysis of conflict and organization’s role and those who advise them
• Ethiopian foreign service officials and diplomats who work on regional peace keeping, security and development
• Program managers responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating initiatives  —  and those who advise them
• Practitioners providing services in the field and those who support them

Peace Operations in AMISOM

• Senior scholars and researchers in the area of regional peace keeping and security
• Decision makers responsible for strategic analysis of conflict and organization’s role and those who advise them
• Senior officers and soldiers at battalion and command unit levels engaged in stabilization and protection missions
• Officers providing training, mentoring and advisory support to Somalia Police Force and Somalia National Army
• Soldiers on the ground in Somalia involved in securing humanitarian corridors, logistics, and/or escorting convoys for the delivery of aid
• Civil-military affairs officers or soldiers assigned to interface with civilians and/or the AMISOM civilian components in Somalia for non-security assistance
• Instructors who train troops to deploy for AMISOM missions.

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