"Voice of the Voiceless": Learning from SORADI's Project to Strengthen Accountability in Hargeisa

"Diverse, highly-networked, inclusive groups of citizens can work together to design and implement advocacy strategies, creating positive momentum for change. However, the development of capable, accountable and responsive authorities requires a step-change in the quality of the Councillors, who are responsible for leadership and oversight."

This case study, supported through the Implementation and Analysis in Action of Accountability Programme (IAAAP) in Somalia, describes an adaptive UK Aid-funded programme working to generate evidence for action around greater accountability and gender and social inclusion in a Social Research and Development Institute (SORADI) pilot project.

From February 2015 - January 2018, SORADI implemented a pilot project to strengthen accountability through citizen participation within Hargeisa, Somalia, Local Council (HLC). "The holistic approach was intended to tackle demand and supply side issues that constrain accountability: on the one side, working with rights holders to raise awareness and demand for accountability, and on the other side, building the capacity of duty bearers to better deliver services." Dialogues on reform, community fora, capacity building with local officials, and youth awareness raising were used - after stakeholder mapping to identify champions was carried out.

Key informants for this case study were interviewed from: civil society, including non-governmental organisation (NGO) activists, youth groups, and the media; political structures, including clan representatives; and local government employees.

Key learning on capacity building and advocacy include:

• Capacity building, local government training -
• A politically viable and convenient training schedule can be made through political economy analysis (PEA) and careful design; 
• Strategising on entry points and incentives for senior government officials is necessary to engage them in training; and
• "Deep-rooted resistance to female staff members participating in the training was only overcome by going straight to the top [engaging the mayor as champion]".
• Advocacy, the reform forum -
• High-profile fora ensure "access and traction";
• Diversity brings in a wider range of voices and perspectives, more contacts, and greater legitimacy;
• Non-confrontational approaches are critical, as is prioritising relationships;
• Choosing the most effective branch of government (between executive government and parliament) resulted in more progress on an election reform law;
• Understanding and engaging with religious barriers is vital; inclusion of women is crucial for accountability;
• Media is important in advocacy - Social media provided outreach and then critical mass (SORADI’s Facebook page streamed one capacity building event under this project to more than 8,000 followers). However, "the (non-minority) youth representatives were much more engaged with social media than their minority peers (whose access was primarily constrained through their lack of resources)."; and
• Sustainability is tied to the drive and commitment of the forum membership.

Conclusions that confirm the wider literature are:

1. "The power of diversity, or 'coalitions for change' [offer authority, which rests on their collective weight]....
2. The inclusion of women and marginalised groups in accountability initiatives requires intentionality.....
3. Understanding the rules of the game is key....
4. Aiming at the highest leadership is critical to ensure meaningful change - but requires careful consideration of (their) incentives and strategising....
5. Non-combative approaches appear to be preferable and more effective in this context.
6. Changing deep-rooted accountability customs - and accountability vacuums - requires time...."