SOMALIA WORKS: POLICE DEVELOPMENT AS STATE BUILDING

Somalia is an exceptionally insecure state that nevertheless offers an arena in which police officers and institutions can - and do - function. This article argues that Somalia's three regional police forces offer insight into the dynamics that result when locally driven institution-building pr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:African affairs (London) 2014-01, Vol.113 (450), p.88-107
Main Author: Hills, Alice
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Auditoriums
Bargaining
Clans
Governance
Government
Institution Building
International development
Law enforcement agencies
Militias
Negotiation
Negotiations
Police
Police services
Police training
Political Power
Progress
Security services
Somalia
State building
Stock Brokers
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Summary:Somalia is an exceptionally insecure state that nevertheless offers an arena in which police officers and institutions can - and do - function. This article argues that Somalia's three regional police forces offer insight into the dynamics that result when locally driven institution-building projects interface with international state-building projects. The resultant picture is nuanced because police negotiate with private actors even as they develop their state-based authority, and their achievements are limited by Somali power brokers sharing a political understanding of security provision, valuing external assistance as a business opportunity, and adapting international models of governance accordingly. Consequently, while the prospects for institution building are favourable, stabilization is unlikely to shift into state building or development.
ISSN:0001-9909
1468-2621
DOI:10.1093/afraf/adt068