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- Convenors:
-
Hans Peter Hahn
(Goethe University Frankfurt)
Thompson Gyedu Kwarkye (University of Oxford)
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- Format:
- Panel
- Streams:
- Anthropology (x) Futures (y)
- Location:
- Philosophikum, S65
- Sessions:
- Thursday 1 June, -, Friday 2 June, -
Time zone: Europe/Berlin
Short Abstract:
This panel questions the potential contribution of the concept of Human Security for a better future in rural Africa. The focus will be on local governance and institutions, stakeholders and administration's capacity to contribute to wellbeing, improved livelihood and security at the local levels.
Long Abstract:
Human Security is broadly defined as a human-centred approach that recognizes the prevention of direct or physical violence and the protection against other threats to the safety, well-being and livelihoods of individuals at the local levels (www.un.org/humansecurity/what-is-human-security/). While this might be uncontested, the picture is more controversial with regard to the contribution of local governance in Africa and its institutions, capacities and reforms. Do they really contribute to wellbeing, service delivery and welfare services enhancing human security?
This panel assumes that there are norms and institutions in local governance that have the potential to provide prospects for improving livelihoods, democratic hopes and ultimately, human security. However, to what extent this is a priority, and to what degree Human Security is a priority for local governance including institutions? What are the capacities and reforms, that make up a strong and local framework for Human Security in rural areas?
In answering one of the thematic questions of the conference; 'what constitutes the future?' this panel will explore critical questions on contemporary realities and discourses on government (in)ability, (in)capacity or failure of governmental institutions and administrative entities; and the filling of these gaps by informal institutions, reforms and the interactions of actors. This will be done also by critically re-evaluating entrenched norms originating from the colonial and post-colonial era, and by gauging its role in shaping and eventually strengthening the future relevance of local institutions.
Accepted papers:
Session 1 Thursday 1 June, 2023, -Paper short abstract:
In which ways does the progressive land reform pose a security risk to or facilitate social cohesion in post-conflict Sierra Leone? By integrating a human security perspective, we analyze the interdependencies between state and customary authorities and its effects on local governance and peace.
Paper long abstract:
The 2022 revision of the land tenure system in Sierra Leone strengthens the competencies of customary authorities and at the same time sets out to eliminate some discriminatory practices. This paper explores the (unintended) impact of the land reform implementation on local governance in a post-conflict setting. We critically pose new questions on the latest land tenure developments in Sierra Leone and evaluate how customary institutions are shaped by it. In this line, we bring together concepts of human security and social cohesion. Conceptually, we raise key questions of community and political security which are particularly important in the context of long-term land governance changes and questions of social cohesion. The conceptional integration of human security into the social cohesion framework allows for a nuanced understanding of how the constituents of social cohesion – trust, identity, and cooperation – are shaped by security dynamics. In so doing, we focus on local governance dynamics, notably chieftaincies and state institutions, in the process of land law implementation. Drawing on the Ethnographic Peace Research approach, we analyze the interlinkages between land reform, human security, and local governance in Sierra Leone. Our in-depth case study provides insights into authority conflicts and collaboration based on participant observation and interviews with state agents, customary authority representatives, members of civil society organizations, as well as international organizations. We contribute to research on human security, agrarian transformation, land governance, and societies in transition.
Paper short abstract:
Human security is positively correlated to the sustainable development agenda. West Africa has experienced a number of insecurity issues that affected the progress of the sustainable development agenda in the continent.
Paper long abstract:
Peace and security is critical in the attainment of sustainable development as outlined under goal 16 of the 2030 agenda. Reviewing relevant literature and data from various sources on insecurity and the Sustainable Development Goals in the West African sub-region from 2010 to 2022, this paper presents selected dimensions of human insecurity and their implications to sustainable development. The dimensions of insecurity in the sub-region include coups, cross border crimes, terrorism, farmer-herder conflict and violent conflicts amongst others. The study further revealed that the prevalence of these dimensions experienced in the sub-region, coupled with other factors have consequences on the progress of all the sustainable development goals. Some of the consequences include increased in poverty prevalence in the sub-region, which hitherto declined from the 1990s headcounts. Other indicators such as school enrolment, under five mortality, maternal mortality, inequality, government investments on health and education amongst others, have started reversing in the sub-region. The implication of these are that the attainment and sustenance of the Sustainable Development Goals is under threat in the sub-region. The paper recommends that proactive measures needs to be adopted and implemented to help reverse the decline in development parameters in the sub-region.
Paper short abstract:
This paper examines the configuration of in/formal policing in Maiduguri and the ways in which the “informal” fills in the gap left by the inefficiencies of the state. Here, I contribute to the discourse on how contemporary realities of policing can shape the future of urban security in Nigeria.
Paper long abstract:
Communities in Borno State, Nigeria, including Maiduguri, have been experiencing violent attacks perpetrated by the Boko Haram insurgent group since 2009. To curb the violence, the government deployed its security agencies to secure the state. Over time, it became evident that the state’s security apparatus could not effectively deal with the insurgency. Thus, in 2013, a hybrid form of “security architecture” emerged with the formation of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) by residents of Maiduguri to complement the counterinsurgency efforts of the state security forces. This collaborative effort apparently contributed to the restoration of relative calm in Maiduguri. Though the insurgent threats have receded, informal security providers (ISPs) like the CJTF still play vital roles in urban security. This paper examines the configuration of in/formal policing in Maiduguri and the ways in which the “informal” fills in the gap left by the perceived inefficiencies of the state and its institutions. Fieldwork in Maiduguri revealed the existence of a complicated network of actors, roles, levels of interactions, engagement and patronage in community policing. Comparatively, the informal security providers enjoy a larger patronage because of residents’ perception of their contributions in the counterinsurgency efforts. Thus, despite negative reports about their roles, the ISPs are generally perceived to be more effective than the police in curbing crime. This paper, therefore, contributes to the discourse on how contemporary realities of policing and urban safety can shape the future of urban security in Nigeria.
Paper short abstract:
We examine elected officials’ strategies for human security outcomes through the prism of the ongoing decentralization programmes in Rwanda and Ghana. We show that despite their official limitations, elected councillors use outside channels as the room to maneuver in realizing human security goals.
Paper long abstract:
In developing countries, the fundamental promise of human security is the improvement in living conditions. At the local level decentralization is considered the silver bullet for implementation. Elected local officials should represent local needs and decide on priorities. How does this work? We compare the cases of two success stories of decentralization in Africa: Ghana and Rwanda despite their different political systems, i.e., a liberal democracy with a vocal civil society (Ghana) and an authoritarian system with a democratic façade (Rwanda). In both countries, the central government interferes, at least implicitly, by setting the policy and financial frameworks for human security programmes. We ask firstly, who sets priorities for implementing projects at the local level? Secondly, to what extent do local institutional arrangements influence autonomous decision-making?
In both countries, local councillors use their limited formal influence to advance local interests. They use local performance contracts (Imihigo) originally designed as an instrument of control by the central government to pressure elected mayors and the local administration (Rwanda). Additionally, they attempt to overcome central government influence by engaging in local development brokerage involving NGOs or international development organizations (Ghana). This shows that the question of human security plays a role in local politics. In both cases the formal structures of decentralization set limits for participation. At the same time, local councillors seek ways to widen their room to maneuver.