PDRC

PDRC and its consortium partners have experienced a tumultuous year. They've had to maneuver through a landscape marked by violent conflict in Las Anod (Somaliland), local elections in Puntland - followed by post-election violence, areas liberated from Al Shabaab in Galmudug, and a deepening political crisis between Somalia's federal government and its member states, including disputes over a Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland. These events have disrupted the organizations' operational plans, forcing them to halt certain activities and initiate new ones in reaction to the unfolding situations. This has demonstrated the organizations' capacity for adaptation, yet it also highlights the continuous challenges faced by any entity working in the fields of peace, security, development, and human rights. A notable achievement for PDRC was the successful conduct of local elections in Puntland. They facilitated comprehensive voter education leading up to the elections, which likely played a significant role in boosting voter turnout and enhancing the understanding of local council structures in Puntland. Regrettably, the election led to violence as some opposition groups rejected the One Person One Vote system. The PDRC office was literally caught in the crossfire between armed factions in Garowe. The early 2024 presidential election in Puntland also heightened political tensions. Ultimately, an indirect election was conducted in a traditional way, deviating from the direct vote system, and the security situation improved. The PDRC played a crucial role in facilitating discussions with numerous stakeholders following the turmoil. While the political events did not directly affect other consortium members to the same extent, the conflict in Las Anod and the Memorandum of Understanding with Ethiopia have interrupted some of the activities planned by APD in Somaliland. PDRC has recorded all results and evaluated them against the set objectives. Although several indicators suggest positive trends, the advancement is slow, and there has been a significant increase in conflicts within the areas of implementation, primarily due to the instability in Las Anod and the elections in Puntland. Examples of results reported Increased understanding of conflicts and peacebuilding Throughout 2023, all partners engaged in research to enhance their understanding of conflicts. PDRC has researched the current security situation in Mudug, assessing factors such as the intensity of conflicts, root causes, and involved parties to devise potential de-escalation and resolution strategies. APD has performed conflict mapping assessments in three critical areas, pinpointing the needs within communities affected by conflict. The studies indicate that the establishment of new settlements frequently leads to disputes over grazing land and water. Additional factors include political disagreements, exemplified by the Las Anod conflict, which are occasionally exacerbated by diaspora involvement; the smuggling of alcohol, drugs, and weapons; and the disregard for peace agreements and a lack of access to justice. Horn Center has investigated the influence of natural resources and climate change on conflict escalation in a region of Galmudug. Notably, diminishing water levels have resulted in pasture depletion. This, coupled with flash floods caused by abnormal heavy rainfall attributed to El Niño, has led to crop destruction and infrastructural damage. Charcoal usage has also contributed to deforestation. The research confirms that climate change has tangible effects, inciting new conflicts as competition for natural resources intensifies. The partners research has informed context analysis and programming. Peacebuilding activities APD and Horn Center have formed new peace committees to address conflicts and foster peacebuilding efforts. APD has been proactive in districts adjacent to conflict zones near Las Anod, establishing committees to enhance community collaboration and mitigate conflict risks. The conflict in Las Anod has made APD take a new approach by actively engage with communities in border areas in contested areas. They have made sure to establish peace committees to resolve issues before they turn violent. This way of preempting conflict has been successful and should be encouraged. Horn Center has continued its efforts by leveraging past interactions with the Galmudug Elders Peace Committee to form committees aimed at reconciliation in Mataban. The results framework shows that peace committees have been established in all targeted areas, a significant change from the start of the program when there were none. Currently, over 450 citizens participate in peacebuilding dialogues and processes, surpassing the 2023 target by 50%. Prior to the program's inception, no individuals were involved in peacebuilding processes. The report also presents outcomes from existing peace committees. It notes that several new peace agreements have been signed and adhered to. APD details its initiatives in Erigavo and Ceerayaan, where it set up local peacebuilding structures enabling communities to lead constructive peace dialogues. With measures like conflict management and prevention training, logistical support, and help in action plan development, APD has aided in pinpointing essential terms of the peace agreement. In the latter half of 2023, the peace agreement was enacted. However, the report also mentions setbacks, including unfulfilled agreements and emerging conflicts. An instance in Puntland is cited where a peace agreement's clause on destruction of water infrastructure in a disputed area was not executed. Civic Education and Good Governance The PDRC has implemented civic and voter education in multiple districts to enhance participation in Puntland's 2023 local elections. The organization notes both immediate and enduring impacts, resulting in higher voter turnout and a more profound comprehension of the citizens' role in democracy. The APD has assisted Somaliland in establishing a land data registration system, which has improved the Ainaba local government's handling of land ownership. APD has come to the conclusion that an objective information sharing outlet is missing in Somaliland. Media houses might be incentivized to produce certain type of information or stay away from certain topics. APD is not dependent on funding in the same way (except from donors) and has chosen to establish a podcast/vlog to produce content that counters toxic trends of disinformation, especially in social media.

The overall objective of the proposed programme is to contribute to sustainable peace building and democratization in the Somali region by strengthening citizen and stakeholder engagement in governance and conflict prevention and management through inclusive, participatory, citizen-centred processes and mechanisms. The agreement paratner, Puntland Democracy and Research Center (PDRC) and sub partners Academy for Peace and Development (APD) and Horn Center (HC) aspire to participate in peacebuilding and reconstruction of Somalia; and to contribute to the creation of a democratic system of government, social and economic development, and respect of human rights for all. The primary objective of Sida's support is to provide program support to the implementation of programme "Road to Sustainable Peacebuilding & Good Governance 2022-2025. The strategic objectives are as follows: - To contribute to peace, and human security which could contribute to reconstruction and development. - To provide a neutral forum for peace building and reconciliation through dialogue among key actors (government authorities, civil society, private sector & international actors). - To conduct evidence-based research and analysis that identifies development problems and priorities. - To inform public policy and to help develop conscious strategies and options for inclusive and sustainable development.