Deris Wanaag: The Kenya-Somalia-Ethiopia Borderlands Project

Deris Wanaag, which means 'good neighbourliness' in Somali, acknowledged that enhancing peace and stability, and improving social and economic conditions, can only be achieved through increasing collaboration between the three countries, respective local administrations and local communities in the borderlands.

With an implementing consortium led by Adam Smith International (ASI), the project focused on strengthening the effectiveness of national responses to insecurity along the border, supporting local conflict resolution and management structures, and building individual and community resilience to the influence of violent extremist actors. Recognising the transnational nature of insecurity, the project supported ongoing coordination mechanisms between Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, situating itself within regional developments and their impact at local level.

Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) was integrated across all project engagements which were tailored to promote inclusion and empower minority identities. Interventions were informed by research identifying which individuals and groups were worst impacted by conflict.

The project was funded by the UK's Integrated Security Fund (ISF) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

One of the project's three objectives was to strengthen understanding of conflict and violent actor dynamics in the borderlands and to use this evidence base to inform effective policy and programming. To deliver on this objective, RUSI managed a series of perceptions surveys, conducted regular context analysis, designed discrete research studies, produced policy briefs and hosted learning events to inform government policy and the geographic and thematic prioritisation of project interventions.

Deris Wanaag built on RUSI's extensive research on what works and what does not in reducing the threat presented by violent extremist actors. Recognising the limitations of narrowly-focused P/CVE projects, RUSI encouraged an approach that addressed both those most at risk and wider structural grievances. Previous research shaped the integration of government, civil society and community-led responses. RUSI provided the evidence necessary to ensure that interventions were appropriate and had the best chance of leading to meaningful impact. Where this evidence did not exist, the team conducted new research to guide the project and its stakeholders.

Deris Wanaag used both research findings and learning from interventions taken by the project to influence policy and action. In prioritising local understandings of the problem, the team encouraged innovation, and promoted conflict sensitivity, ethics, transparency and sustainability.

RUSI ensured that key findings were made available to the public to help guide future projects. Please see linked below the various published outputs.

Due to the sensitive and political nature of the project, a significant portion of the research and analysis was only shared privately, including the following:

• Political Economy and Conflict Analysis, updated annually (three iterations).
   
• Reports on annual community perceptions surveys (three iterations), including modules on demographics, service provision, trust in authorities, attitudes towards security actors, attitudes towards Al-Shabaab, cross-border trade and mobility, climate change and livelihoods, gender and social inclusion, human trafficking and irregular migration, resilience and communications.
   
• A total of seven Policy Briefs were produced on topics of importance to the donor or the project’s implementation. Three addressed themes shaping the threat environment: the changing nature of the African Union mission in Somalia; Al-Shabaab operations in the borderlands; and politics and identity in Kenya’s North East. Two concerned critical policy issues: border security; and efforts to localise the women, peace and security agenda. A further two were focused on programming: the need for greater integration of actors and approaches; and the use of the ‘GESI Marker Tool’ as part of project delivery.
   
• Four reports of findings from the masculinities-conflict-violent extremism-GBV study, including an examination of the intersections and three focus pieces:
  • Borderlands masculinities
  • Women and Al-Shabaab
  • Al-Shabaab recruitment
     
• A comprehensive analysis of data collected as part of the climate-conflict nexus study, including a quantitative community survey, key informant interviews, FGDs and participatory exercises.
   
• Monthly Borderland Spotlights- a total of 34 context analysis reports.
   
• Four geographically-defined ‘deep dives’ examining security dynamics and community grievances:
  • Fafi sub-county, Garissa County
  • Kiunga-Ishakani-Ras Kamboni cross-border area
  • Mandera South sub-county, Mandera County
  • Somali Regional State, Ethiopia
     
• A statistical summary of security incidents across the borderlands (2023-2026).

Many of these reports are available on request. Please contact Nairobiinfo@rusi.org.

At the close of the project, three 'impact briefs' were produced detailing Deris Wanaag's contribution and approach to key issues:

• Conflict mediation
• Localisation
• Economic Opportunities

These short documents were translated into Somali and Swahili, and were shared with grantees and communities living in the borderlands. They provide indications of what worked, the impact that the project was able to have and the challenges that remain. The briefs will prove useful to future interventions in these geographies.

While measuring the impact of large-scale, multi-year, evolving and complex projects like these remains extremely difficult, the project achieved remarkable results across a vast geography spanning three countries. It was responsible for improving state-community relationships, tackling local grievances, empowering women and minority groups, providing emergency aid, building the capacity of local actors and shaping policy and strengthening the evidence base.