Foreword

This handbook represents the efforts of the Academy for Peace and Development
(APD) to provide information for our stakeholders, partners, universities, donors,
and other institutions about the work and functions of APD. It outlines the general
objectives, mission, vision, departments and background to our core activities.

Profile
The Academy for Peace and Development (APD) was established in 1998 as
a research institute in collaboration with the War-torn Societies Project (WSP)
currently the International Peacebuilding Alliance (Interpeace). The Academy for
Peace and Development (APD) is legally registered as an organization under the
Ministry of National Planning and Development.
Since its inception, APD core activities have mainly focused in peace-building using
Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology. The organization has brought
together representatives from different sectors of society to identify priorities
in the process of rebuilding Somaliland. The Academy has been instrumental
in facilitating dialogue on issues such as peacebuilding, state building, human
rights, democracy and good governance.

Objectives
APD is committed to promote democracy and consensus decision-making at the
policy level by encouraging and supporting participation of citizens in the affairs
of their lives. In this regard, the goal of the Academy is to empower Somaliland
communities to adopt peaceful changes by providing a neutral venue to identify
their issues and set priorities for response.

To achieve this, APD has set the

following objectives:
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To provide a neutral forum To facilitate the process To assist key stakeholders To stimulate
for dialogue and to create to collectively identify, set including—Somaliland action-driven change and
the opportunities to discuss priorities and formulate government, international achieve actionable change.
and address development policy options for the community, donor agencies
and reconstruction issues challenges of development and local actors—to better
of common concern to and the rebuilding of the respond to the challenges
Somaliland society. country. of re-building the nation by
providing them with relevant
information on critical issues,
seeking consensus on their
interventions and facilitating
-- their responses and effects.
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Vision Statement
“Sustaining peace, state building and promoting development”

Mission Statement
The Academy is a centre for excellence and leadership
dedicated to peace and state building and the achievement of
a just and prosperous society in Somaliland through Research,
Training, Dialogue, Documentation and Publication.

The Hierarchal Structures of the Academy

The General Assembly (GA): The general assembly is
the highest decision-making body of the Academy for
Peace and Development.

The Board of Governors (BoD): The Governing Board

composes of at least five to eleven members who are
appointed every two years. The Executive Director
serves as the secretary to the Board and as a result has
the right to attend all sessions as an observer.

The Management Team: The Management Team is

headed by The Executive Director and members of APD
who are selected by the Executive Director.

The Advisory Team: This committee provides advice to

the Management Team.

Record of Achievements -Promoting Peace and Democracy

- Attributed to its neutrality and “behind the scene
approach”, APD successfully resolved many political
crises caused by divisions of perspectives brought at the
time of mediations with political parties.

- APD continues to serve as a hub for the international

communities, regional and local institutions and
individual who are seeking guidance in peace building
and democracy issues in Somaliland.

- With regards to its mission in promoting peace and

democracy, APD maintains its collaboration with key
local electoral institutions including, Somaliland National
Electoral Commission, Parliament, Government, Political
Parties, and civil society.
 - The audio-visual Unit of APD has - APD has promoted the culture of
extensive holdings of documentaries debate and created a neutral and an open
both in audio and video formats that forum for inclusive political discussions
are captured throughout the various through its forum for civic dialogue. The
programs and activities. Moreover, these audiences of the forum are comprised of
collections contain historical archives members from different sectors of society
of people in literature, politics, history, and the theme of the debate is always
media, economics, and social. reflecting the current situation.

APD
Programs
We at APD believe that the quest of knowledge
should be a collectively relevant commotion. We’re
dedicated to promoting the interdependence
of research, and sustainable development. As
the role of research institutions in processes
of peace-building and social change widens
and deepens, it becomes even more vital to
relate theory to practice by combining practical
research with action-oriented programs.

Research mustn’t be limited to seminar rooms,

academic papers and largely uncirculated
official documents. Instead, research in peace,
state building and governance can be made
meaningful to all sectors of society by linking it
with programs of sustainable and positive social
change.

We listen carefully and create dialogue within

the community voices we represent, enfolding
their concerns and issues into our organization’s
objectives that include empowering individuals
and groups while building their capacities for
action and inspiring positive change.
 Dialogue for Peace, Phase I

Our In December 2004, APD launched a second

round of participatory action research

Current
as part of WSP-International’s (Currently
Interpeace) Dialogue for Peace initiative.

&
Based on previous experience and after broad
consultation, four entry points have been pre-
selected. The criteria for selection include
immediate relevance to peace, security and

Past progress in Somaliland.

Decentralization

Programs
Parliamentary elections
Constitutional review and reform
Natural Resource-based Conflict

Pillars of Peace I and II Program Dialogue for Peace, Phase 2

APD and its partner Interpeace have

The vision of the Pillars of Peace
been able to generate and maintain neutral
programs are to build upon more than a
political spaces while engaging all sectors of
decade of experience in peace building
society in key issues. Despite the exceptional
and support for institutions in order to
volatility of the political-security dynamics,
continue advancing and strengthening
the vision of the Dialogue for Peace – Phase
the consolidation of peace throughout
II programme is a continued consolidation
Somaliland in a consensus-oriented,
of peace throughout the Somali region using
integrated approach to peace building
consensus-oriented, integrated approaches
and state building.
to state building.
The three pillars were selected based
The Academy for Peace and Development
on previous experiences and sustained
(APD) has played a fundamental role in
efforts of APD through the Dialogue for
helping to resolve the political impasse
Peace program and defined as:
through a consensual agreement in the
Democratization Pillar
electoral timetable. APD has also engaged
Decentralization Pillar
communities in a series of mediation
Social Reconciliation Pillar
processes that focused in averting conflict
in the disputed areas of Sool and Sanaag.
 A Self-Portrait of

Somaliland
Rebuilding from the Ruins.
From January 1999 to August 2002, the Academy has conducted a WSP research
program in Somaliland. The first outcome of this research was a report entitled “A Self-
Portrait of Somaliland: Rebuilding from the Ruins.”

The Self-Portrait, which offers a comprehensive overview of the social, political and
economic challenges facing post-war Somaliland, has since become an essential reference
for policy-makers, legislators, and agencies and diplomats concerned with Somaliland.

Applying the PAR methodology, the research team moved forward in 2000-2001 with a
nationally driven research agenda on four themes or “Entry Points”:

Consolidation and Decentralization

of Government Institutions
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The Impact of the War on the Family

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Regulating the livestock Economy

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The Role of the Media in Political Rebuilding

These four were supervised by a volunteering “Working Group” that consisted of

government officials, professionals, civic leaders and technical experts. It resulted to
the publication of four different papers and was later compiled into one volume entitled
“Rebuilding Somaliland: Issues and possibilities.
 PARALLEL
P R O J E C T S
Hyprid security orders in Somaliland Study Land-based Conflict Projects

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In partnership with African Security The land-based Conflict project contributed to
Sector Network (ASSN), APD is studying the peace-building process in Somaliland by
the nature of peace and state building in strengthening the abilities of the local actors to
Somaliland, why it is different from other contribute to civil conflict resolution. In order to
African countries, and how these processes achieve the highest level of ownership, Institute
has influenced the security development for Peace and Development (INEF); University of
and reform. Duisburg-Essen Germany has commissioned APD
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to conduct an independent research in order to
Civic Education Mass-Media Campaign provide professional policy advice as a way out of
Project the land-based conflicts.
This project was part of the Joint Program on
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Local Governance (JPLG) and Decentralization Institutional Building and Policy Analysis
Service Delivery (DSD). The objective of the Project
Project was to inform citizens about their civic This project was a collaboration effort between
rights and responsibilities in the delivery of APD and Conflict Dynamics International (CDI)
basic services and to enhance transparency through the development of joint researches
and accountability, in pre-selected districts and policy tools which will support the building
of Somaliland; specifically the core activities of governance arrangements and facilitate
were designed to ensure that local governance effective political accommodation in support of
contributes to peace and fair priority service peace and nation-building.
delivery in target districts of Somaliland.
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Non-State Actors (NSA) Project Political Party/Associations Agents
In collaboration with Saferworld, APD, Training Project
worked on strengthening the participation In a partnership with International Republican
and influence of Somaliland Non-State Actors Institute (IRI), APD helped political parties/
in key decision-making processes on peace, associations to become more responsive. APD
security and development. prepared a training program for the 9 political
In 2008, Saferworld and APD supported parties/association’s agents ahead of the 2012
the formal creation of Somaliland Non-State local election. The training commenced in all
Actors Forum (SONSAF). the six regions and the agents came from the 23
electoral districts.
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Forum for Civic Dialogue
APD has played a key role in Somaliland’s democratization process through the “Forum for Civic
Dialogue”, APD has hosted numerous public debates and discussions in the political process
and later the Forum has become a monthly event in which contemporary issues were discussed.
Operations Department
The success of our Finance and Administration both at its Hargeisa Headquarters and Burao’s
relies on the effort, dedication and intelligence of Satellite Office. It is comprised of different
its team members in support of APD’s mission, operational staff such as the Management
initiatives and priorities. The department’s team, Operations team, Research Team, Audio
team uphold the highest standards and ethics Visual Unit team, staff of parallel projects, as
to deal with our strategic partners. well as support staff.

They are committed to supporting the The Academy has two office premises. The
achievement of the APD’s goals and are head office is located in Hargeisa. This office
fully aligned with its strategic priorities; thedeals with all the major administrative and
team also respect divisional autonomy and programmatic activities. Both the Pillars
acknowledge each stakeholder’s unique of Peace II Decentralization Pillar and
requirements for success. Democratization Pillar are supervised from
this office as well as other parallel projects.
The Division of Finance and Administration The other office premise is located in Burco
provides financial, human resources, and and fully oversees the operations of the Social
operational services in support of the projects Reconciliation Pillar.
of APD.
The Academy has a total of 34 staff members

Research Department
The Department of Research conducts participatory action researches focused on the following
thematic areas:

Peace building Democracy Security & Human Rights

& Governance Rule of law & Development

Burao Satelite Office

In a society where clan politics is entrenched, Subsequent actions that paved the way for
the process of reconciliation by means of a democratic process, have furthered the
holding traditional conferences and developing ambitions of building a stable state based
a social contract has managed to achieve the on democracy and respect for individual civil
relative peace and tranquillity that Somaliland rights.
enjoys today.
The state of social harmony among the The Academy for Peace and Development
different communities in Somaliland at both established the Satellite Office in Burao to
the urban and rural levels has traversed great initiate peaceful political dialogue at the
leaps since the founding of Somaliland. The regional level, particularly in the Eastern
different clans have, according to tradition, Regions, and to rebuild the community
devised intricate norms to suppress violence relationships at all levels which is a process
and forestall the spiralling effects of conflicts critical to the consolidation of peace and
to wider circles, security in that part of the country. The office
such as clan-versus-clan clashes, beyond the fully oversees the operations of the Social
regular and often repeated incidents of murder Reconciliation Pillar as well as other pillars
or violent acts committed by individuals. and activities.

School of Public Policy

The APD’s School of Public Policy aims to practical courses that reflects the needs and
become a locally designed and sustained demands of their field with the ultimate goal
educational centre that provides practitioners of promoting and supporting the development
and young professionals with relevant, and of healthy and relevant public institutions.

Media & Communication Department

Our media and communication team works range of audiovisual productions on a range
to communicate APD’s message of sustaining
of subject matter that includes Somaliland’s
peace, state-building and promoting
current socio-political and socio-economic
development consistently, effectively, and
development (see list). Most of these films
deepening APD’s relationship with society
compliment some of the Academy’s major
at large. Not only do we carefully craft and
research work.
streamline both our internal and external flow
The department also renders its services
of communications, but we also overeagerly
and expertise to International and local
reach out to various sectors of civil and
organizations that operate in Somaliland by
political society: whether in our own websites
researching, scripting and producing various
and online social networking, or via local and
documentary films and video projects.
international mass media outlets. The department was commissioned by
organizations and institutions such as UNDP,
The department has a well-established UNICEF, UN-Habitat, VETAID, NEGAAD, Care
Audio Visual Unit that produces a wide International and many others.

Gender Mainstreaming
Despite Somaliland’s adoption of a multi-party Over the years, APD/IP has held gender forums
democracy, women still face serious challenges and workshops fostering dialogue among
which have deep roots in the male-dominated women and men from different communities
Somali culture. APD/IP is one of a small and backgrounds to find solutions to the
number of institutions which have consistently economic and political problems hampering
fought for gender equality. women’s progress.
Publications
Confronting the future of Somaliland’s Democracy- Lesson from a decade of multipartism and
the way forward
Academy for Peace and Development (APD) and International Peace building Alliance
(Interpeace) Hargeisa, 2015
English, 95 pages

Perception Survey on voter registration and civil registration

Academy for Peace and Development (APD) and International Peacebuilding Alliance(Interpeace)
Hargeisa, 2014

Field study of voter registration in Hargeisa and Baki

Academy for Peace and Development (APD) and International Peacebuilding Alliance(Interpeace)
Hargeisa, 2014

A Vote for Peace II. How Somaliland successfully hosted its Presidential Elections
Academy for Peace and Development (APD) and International Peacebuilding Alliance
(Interpeace), Hargeisa, 2011.
English, 76 pages.

Democracy in Somaliland: Challenges and Opportunities

Academy for Peace and Development (APD) and International Peacebuilding Alliance
(Interpeace)
Arcadia Associates, 2010.
English, 130 pages

Peace in Somaliland: An Indigenous Approach to State-Building

Academy for Peace and Development (APD) and International Peacebuilding Alliance
(Interpeace)
Arcadia Associates, 2008.
English, 108pages.

Rebuilding Somaliland: Issues and Possibilities.

Academy for Peace and Development (APD) and War-torn Societies Project (WSP)
Lawrenceville, N.J.: Red Sea Press, 2005.
ISBN: 1569022291.
English, 402 pages.

Addressing Land-Based Conflicts in Somaliland and Afghanistan

Academy for Peace and Development (APD) and Institute for Peace and Development (INEF),
Arcadia Associates, 2008.
English, 47 pages.

Survey on small arms in Somaliland

Academy for Peace and Development (APD)
Hargeisa May 2004 commissioned by UNDP
English 33 pages
No More ‘Grass grown by the Spear’: Addressing Land-Based Conflicts in Somaliland
Academy for Peace and Development (APD) and Institute for Peace and Development(INEF),
Arcadia Associates, 2007.
English, 60 pages.

From Plunder and Profit to Prosperity and Peace: Resolving Resource-based Conflict in
Somaliland
Academy for Peace and Development (APD) and International Peacebuilding Alliance (Interpeace)
Hargeisa, November 2006.
English, 43 pages.

Local Solutions: Creating an Enabling Environment for Decentralization in Somaliland

Academy for Peace and Development and International Peacebuilding Alliance (Interpeace),
Hargeisa, October 2006.
English, 43 pages.

A Vote for Peace I. How Somaliland successfully hosted its first Parliamentary Elections in 35
years
Academy for Peace and Development (APD) and International Peacebuilding Alliance (Interpeace)
Hargeisa, September 2006.
English, 74 pages.

Somaliland’s Parliamentary Study.

Academy for Peace and Development (APD), for UNDP (New York),
Hargeisa, July 2005.
English, 22 pages.

Somaliland Dialogue for Peace: Working Notes.

Academy for Peace and Development (APD),
Hargeisa, November 2004.
English, 38 pages.

Somaliland Macro-Economic Study 2004

Academy for Peace and Development (APD),
Hargeisa, August 2004.
English, 45 pages.

Somaliland Socio-Economic Survey 2004

Academy for Peace and Development (APD),
Hargeisa, August 2004.
English, 35 pages.

Conflict Analysis Framework Somaliland.

Academy for Peace and Development (APD),
Report to the World Bank,
Hargeisa, November 30, 2003.
English, 38 pages.

Women’s Rights in Islam and Somali Culture - A study.

Academy for Peace and Development, commissioned by UNICEF,
Hargeisa, 2002.
English, 40 pages.

Poverty Reduction in Somaliland: A Preliminary Report.

Academy for Peace and Development (APD), commissioned by UNDP,
Hargeisa, May 2001.
English, 20 pages.

A Self-Portrait of Somaliland: Rebuilding from the Ruins.

Academy for Peace and Development (APD),
Hargeisa, December 1999.
English, 107 pages.

Workshop Reports
Consolidation of Somaliland’s Democratization Process. Post-Election Assessment.
Academy for Peace and Development (APD),
Hargeisa, March 2006.
English, 24 pages.

The Judicial System in Somaliland.

Academy for Peace and Development (APD),
Hargeisa, April 2002.

Documentary Films
Academy’s Films
Land conflict and the role of women (2015)
A drama on the role of women during times of conflicts involving land.
Somali version 30 min

The realities behind democracy in Somaliland (Xaqiiqada ku lamaan dimuqraadiyada

Soomaaliland) (2014)
A documentary film shedding further light on the democratic process of Somaliland
Somali and English Versions 21 min

Mending relations between the local councils and the constituents ( isku xidhka bulshada iyo
golaha degaanka) (2014)
A documentary film on the importance of bridging the gap between local councils and their
communities.
Somali and English versions 22 min
Somaliland and its challenges of a lasting Social Reconciliation (Caqabadaha iyo Fursadaha
wali hortaagan turxaan bixinta bulshada dhexdeeda) (2014)
A documentary on the challenges Somaliland is facing in achieving a lasting social reconciliation.
Somali and English versions 40 min

Social Cohesion Drama (Ruwaayadda is waafajinta Bulshada)

An entertaining drama film on the importance of Social Cohesion among communities.
Somali with English subtitles. 45min

United we stand, Divided we fall (Fikir Midaysan, Cod Midaysan) (2008)

A documentary film on the formation of a Non-state Actor forum in Somaliland
28 min., Somali version

Peace in Somaliland: An indigenous Approach to State building (…)(2008)

Documentary film on the Peace process of Somaliland’s statebuilding.
41 min., Somali and English version.
A Vote for Peace (Doorashada Golaha Baarlamanka) (2006)
A documentary film about the Somaliland’s parliamentary elections.
38 min., Somali and English Versions

From Plunder and Profit to Prosperity and Peace (Boob iyo Bursi ku doorso Nabad iyo
Badhaadhe) (2006)
Documentary on Resource-based Conflict in Somaliland.
31 min., Somali and English version.
Local Solutions (Maamul-daaddejinta) (2006)
Documentary on Decentralisation in Somaliland.
21 min., Somali and English version.
Egal’s History (Taariikh-nololeedkii cigaal) (2006)
Documentary on Somaliland’s late President Mohammed Ibrahim Egal.
18 min., Somali version.
Voter Education Film (Barashada Doorashada) (2005)
Displayed during parliamentary election campaign.
20 min., Somali version.
Natural Resource-based Conflicts (khilaafaadka khayraadka Dabiiciga ah) (2005)
Documentary on charcoal production and environmental destruction.
16 min., Somali with English sub-titles.
Hargeisa and Daalo Scenes (Daawo Daalo/Daawo Hargeysa) (2005)
Video Clip with music.
7 and 9 min., no language.
Peace Poetry (Adkeynta Nabadda/Baroordiiqdii Cigaal) (2005)
11 min., Somali.
Mending Rips in the Sky (Cirka radhay rag waa toli karaa taako labdeede) (2002)
Documentary on the consolidation and decentralization of government institutions.
25 min., Somali and English versions.
Media and Democracy (Saxaafadda iyo dimuqraadiyadda) (2002)
Documentary on the role of the media in Somaliland’s political reconstruction.
25 min., Somali and English versions.

Milking Our Camel Dry (intaanu Neefku kugu ciyin) (2002)

Documentary on Somaliland’s livestock economy & trade, the pastoral environment and animal
health services.
25 min., Somali and English versions

Impact of war on the Family (Saamaynta Dagaalada ee Qoyska) (2002)

on changing values, roles and relationships within the family, the socio-economic effects of Khat
use and social support systems for the post-war family.
24 min., Somali and English versions.

Long journey (Safarkii Dheeraa) (2001)

Documentary on the Academy’s “Self-Portrait of Somaliland”.
20 min., Somali version.

7.4.2 Films in Co-operation with other Organisations

VETAPE (Vocational educational and training for accelerated promotion of employment)
produced in cooperation with CARE (2014)
A film on the importance of providing vocational training skills for the youth to improve their
prospects of employment.
Somali with English Subtitles 25 min

What is HIV/AIDS? (Waa maxay cudurka HIV/AIDS?) (2004)

Educational film.
20 min., Somali version, produced with IDO.

Women decision-making (Haweenka iyo Talada Dalka) (2003)

Documentary.
25 min., Somali with English subtitles, produced with NAGAAD.

Women’s Rights (Xuquuqda Haweenka) (2003)

Documentary on women’s rights in Islam, customary law and international conventions.
32 min., Somali version, produced with UNICEF.

Somaliland Police Force (xooga booliska Somaliland) (2002)

Documentary on the History of the Somaliland Police Force.
20 min., Somali and English versions, produced with UNDP.

Disaster of war (Huqda Dagaalada) (2001)

Documentary on ex-combatants and their way of today.
15 min., Somali and English versions, produced with GTZ.