Rift Valley Institute

The 'Local Governance in Somalia' RVI podcast discusses devolution of power in Somalia in the context of rapid urbanisation. The podcast reflects on the 2021 World Bank Review, which aims to facilitate a more informed dialogue between the government, private sector, civil society, development partners and other stakeholders on a more comprehensive urban development strategy in Somalia. In the 3rd episode, Horn of Africa Programme Manager at the Rift Valley Institute- Hannah Stogdon- speaks with Dr. Ken Menkhaus, professor of Political Science at Davidson College, Horn of Africa and Land Urbanisation specialist working on local governance, service delivery, and forced displacement. The podcast also hosts Makiko Watanabe, a Senior Urban Specialist working on local governance, service delivery, and forced displacement and Dr. Olivia D'Aoust who is a senior urban economist working on issues related to the economics of urbanisation, territorial development, and conflict and fragility.

The RVI education programme aims to inform influential constituencies working in eastern and central Africa about the people and communities in the countries where they work. It consists of 2 main types of trainings; the Annual Field Courses on Sudan and South Sudan, the Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes; and bespoke courses tailored for a variety of international organisations. These courses provide a basis for an understanding of current political and developmental challenges within the countries or regions in question. Watch the trailer for more information on our training programme and be on the lookout for new courses on our newsletter, social media platforms and website. You can also reach out by email at courses@riftvalley.net.

'Land in Somalia' RVI podcast discusses land governance in Somalia in the context of rapid urbanisation. It looks at cities where both opportunities and challenges for Somalia's development and prosperity are most acutely felt. The experts debate how to manage and reduce the risks Somali cities face so that they can increase their potential to provide livelihoods and deliver services in a way that is more inclusive and accessible for all. In the second episode,Horn of Africa Programme Manager at the Rift Valley Institute- Hannah Stogdon hosts World Bank Land Administration specialist Paul Prettitore and co-lead of the Land and Conflict Working Group and is conducting research on the relationships between land, conflict and inclusion. Prior to joining the Bank, Paul was a Human Rights Advisor and Property Law Coordinator at the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.   The podcast discusses the 2021 World Bank Review on Urbanisation in Somalia with the aim of facilitating a more informed dialogue between the government, private sector, civil society, development partners and other stakeholders on the role of land governance in a more comprehensive urban development strategy in Somalia.

This RVI podcast discusses Governance in Somalia in the context of rapid urbanisation. It looks at cities where both opportunities and challenges for Somalia's development and prosperity are most acutely felt. The experts debate how to manage and reduce the risks Somali cities face so that they can increase their potential to provide livelihoods and deliver services in a way that is more inclusive and accessible for all. In this first episode of two, Horn of Africa Programme Manager at the Rift Valley Institute- Hannah Stogdon talks to Horn of Africa expert Tobias Hagmann who is the Director of Public Culture Lab Ltd in Switzerland and an associate professor in development studies at Roskilde University in Denmarks. He was the Lead Researcher for the RVI study on Urbanisation in 7 Somali cities that contributed to the World Bank's Urbanisation Review.

Over the past two decades, the Horn and Eastern Africa Region have witnessed a proliferation of peace-making and peace-building processes as a means of democratisation. A wealth and power sharing governance arrangements designed and upheld by regional and international institutions often saw the transfer of political decision-making away from the local and national level, consolidating them instead in the hands of belligerent elites and a global technocratic class of experts. How have these forms of international diplomatic interventions shaped prospects for peace and democratisation in the region? Sharath Srinivasan's When Peace Kills Politics: International Intervention and Unending Wars in the Sudans (Hurst/OUP, 2021) provides a refreshing appraisal of the theory and practice of peace-making by drawing attention to its inherent contradictions that contain risks of violent failure. The book launch engaged the history of interrelated peace-making efforts and their failures in Sudan and South Sudan, from the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement to the more recent Juba Peace Agreement signed in 2020, and their potential to subvert non-violent civic politics. The book launch was co-hosted and organised jointly by RVI and the International African Institute and supported by Hurst publishers

This podcast recording of an RVI forum on Sudan's political developments discusses the current situation following the military coup, whether a military dictatorship is inevitable and the possible implications of it on domestic affairs and international support.

Over the past year, countries across the East Africa region have held elections to elect leaders at various levels. These polls have been accompanied by complaints over irregularities, violence and a general lack of credibility. In Uganda and Tanzania, disputed polls and allegations of rigging by incumbents were followed by brutal crackdowns on democratic freedoms. In Ethiopia, despite the AU's election observer mission declaring the twice-postponed election “orderly, peaceful and credible”, a fifth of the country failed to take part in voting owing to an opposition boycott, war and insecurity, and logistical problems. Somalia's failure to hold long- delayed indirect elections has endangered its fragile peace. While in Somaliland-despite urban low voter turnout and ballot tampering in the rural areas, the long delayed parliamentary and local council elections were smoothly run leading to a surprise loss to the ruling party and a peaceful transfer of power. Still, harassment of opposition candidates during campaigns - and women exclusion remain a feature of the electoral process. All this begs the question; Are elections in East Africa a democratising force or a flashpoint for violence?

Over the past year, countries across the East Africa region have held elections to elect leaders at various levels. These polls have been accompanied by complaints over irregularities, violence and a general lack of credibility. In Uganda and Tanzania, disputed polls and allegations of rigging by incumbents were followed by brutal crackdowns on democratic freedoms. In Ethiopia, despite the AU's election observer mission declaring the twice-postponed election “orderly, peaceful and credible”, a fifth of the country failed to take part in voting owing to an opposition boycott, war and insecurity, and logistical problems. Somalia's failure to hold long- delayed indirect elections has endangered its fragile peace. While in Somaliland-despite urban low voter turnout and ballot tampering in the rural areas, the long delayed parliamentary and local council elections were smoothly run leading to a surprise loss to the ruling party and a peaceful transfer of power. Still, harassment of opposition candidates during campaigns - and women exclusion remain a feature of the electoral process. All this begs the question; Are elections in East Africa a democratising force or a flashpoint for violence?

Professor Munzoul, Dean of Scientific Enquiry at Khartoum university explores to what degree has electoral management and the role of the National Elections Council (NEC) determined the success and quality of elections? and moving forward in the post revolution period, should the 2024 projected elections rely on the existing network of experienced administrators or aim to create a new generation? In Debate with Professor Justin- Durham University on how electoral politics actually work i.e how campaigns are run, how different grassroots politics have actually been between liberal election like 1986 and the NCP's elections i,e are there similarities? T

في الحلقة الثانية من السلسلة الصوتية 'انتخابات السودان' نناقش- على الرغم من الاستياء الشعبي من الأحزاب والعمليات السياسية - الدور الذي يمكن أن يلعبه المجتمع المدني في تحقيق الديمقراطية من خلال انتخابات حرة ونزيهة.

In this audio series we discuss, among other things, election models adopted in Sudan's modern history. It will also discuss the key choices available for policymakers who are involved in election design.

After a period of political impasse, leaders in Somalia— under the leadership of Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble— have agreed to a timetable for indirect elections in 2021. Elections for the Upper House are now scheduled for 25 July, for the Lower House between 10 August and 10 September, with the presidential election scheduled for 10 October. Though easing tensions, especially in the capital Mogadishu where armed forces had confronted each other in April, the agreement left several crucial elements of the electoral process unaddressed, including the selection process of delegates and the mechanism for ensuring the 30 percent quota for women's seats in the Parliament, security management and electoral funding. At the same time, Puntland Federal State is testing a one-person-one vote electoral model for local council elections in three districts - Qardho, Eyl, and Ufeyn. This is a significant development, because a successfully managed electoral process in Puntland could provide a model for a broader democratization process across Somalia. On 15 July 2021, the Rift Valley Institute in collaboration with Heinrich Boll Foundation and The Elephant hosted a panel discussion to examine these issues and prospects for peaceful elections. The webinar also explored what the democratization process in Puntland could mean for Somalia's long term democratic trajectory. Speakers Moderator- Mary Harper BBC Panelists Abdinassir Yusuf-Puntland Development & Research Centre (PDRC) Idil Ibrahim - Life and Peace Institute Ruqia Botan - LeadNow Omar Mahmood - International Crisis Group

After a period of political impasse, leaders in Somalia— under the leadership of Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble— have agreed to a timetable for indirect elections in 2021. Elections for the Upper House are now scheduled for 25 July, for the Lower House between 10 August and 10 September, with the presidential election scheduled for 10 October. Though easing tensions, especially in the capital Mogadishu where armed forces had confronted each other in April, the agreement left several crucial elements of the electoral process unaddressed, including the selection process of delegates and the mechanism for ensuring the 30 percent quota for women's seats in the Parliament, security management and electoral funding. At the same time, Puntland Federal State is testing a one-person-one vote electoral model for local council elections in three districts - Qardho, Eyl, and Ufeyn. This is a significant development, because a successfully managed electoral process in Puntland could provide a model for a broader democratization process across Somalia. On 15 July 2021, the Rift Valley Institute in collaboration with Heinrich Boll Foundation and The Elephant hosted a panel discussion to examine these issues and prospects for peaceful elections. The webinar also explored what the democratization process in Puntland could mean for Somalia's long term democratic trajectory. Speakers Moderator- Mary Harper BBC Panelists Abdinassir Yusuf-Puntland Development & Research Centre (PDRC) Idil Ibrahim - Life and Peace Institute Ruqia Botan - LeadNow Omar Mahmood - International Crisis Group

After a period of political impasse, leaders in Somalia— under the leadership of Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble— have agreed to a timetable for indirect elections in 2021. Elections for the Upper House are now scheduled for 25 July, for the Lower House between 10 August and 10 September, with the presidential election scheduled for 10 October. Though easing tensions, especially in the capital Mogadishu where armed forces had confronted each other in April, the agreement left several crucial elements of the electoral process unaddressed, including the selection process of delegates and the mechanism for ensuring the 30 percent quota for women's seats in the Parliament, security management and electoral funding. At the same time, Puntland Federal State is testing a one-person-one vote electoral model for local council elections in three districts - Qardho, Eyl, and Ufeyn. This is a significant development, because a successfully managed electoral process in Puntland could provide a model for a broader democratization process across Somalia. On 15 July 2021, the Rift Valley Institute in collaboration with Heinrich Boll Foundation and The Elephant hosted a panel discussion to examine these issues and prospects for peaceful elections. The webinar also explored what the democratization process in Puntland could mean for Somalia's long term democratic trajectory. Speakers Moderator- Mary Harper BBC Panelists Abdinassir Yusuf-Puntland Development & Research Centre (PDRC) Idil Ibrahim - Life and Peace Institute Ruqia Botan - LeadNow Omar Mahmood - International Crisis Group

On 15 June 2021, the Rift Valley Forum in conjunction with The Elephant and the Heinrich Boll Foundation hosted a webinar to explore the prospects for holding successful elections in Ethiopia and what success would look like. The virtual forum focused on the impact of the ongoing conflict and violence; online activism and the media's role; the participation of women; and what this election means for the longer-term democratization process in Ethiopia. Moderator Muriithi Mutiga - Horn of Africa Project Director, International Crisis Group Panelists Abdeta Beyene- Executive Director, Centre for Dialogue, Research and Cooperation Dr Adem Abebe- Programme Officer, International IDEA Tsedale Lemma- Founder, Addis Standard Magazine

On 15 June 2021, the Rift Valley Forum in conjunction with The Elephant and the Heinrich Boll Foundation hosted a webinar to explore the prospects for holding successful elections in Ethiopia and what success would look like. The virtual forum focused on the impact of the ongoing conflict and violence; online activism and the media's role; the participation of women; and what this election means for the longer-term democratization process in Ethiopia. Moderator Muriithi Mutiga - Horn of Africa Project Director, International Crisis Group Panelists Abdeta Beyene- Executive Director, Centre for Dialogue, Research and Cooperation Dr Adem Abebe- Programme Officer, International IDEA Tsedale Lemma- Founder, Addis Standard Magazine

On 15 June 2021, the Rift Valley Forum in conjunction with The Elephant and the Heinrich Boll Foundation hosted a webinar to explore the prospects for holding successful elections in Ethiopia and what success would look like. The virtual forum focused on the impact of the ongoing conflict and violence; online activism and the media's role; the participation of women; and what this election means for the longer-term democratization process in Ethiopia. Moderator Muriithi Mutiga - Horn of Africa Project Director, International Crisis Group Panelists Abdeta Beyene- Executive Director, Centre for Dialogue, Research and Cooperation Dr Adem Abebe- Programme Officer, International IDEA Tsedale Lemma- Founder, Addis Standard Magazine

On 30 March 2021, the Rift Valley Forum, in collaboration with Heinrich Boll Foundation and The Elephant, brought together experts from the region to discuss lessons from the 2020 elections in Uganda and Tanzania and prospects for successful elections in Somalia and Ethiopia in 2021. The discussion highlighted how these countries tend to mirror each other in numerous ways, with cyclical and an often slow pace of reforms in electoral justice as a predominant issue. Moderator Patrick Gathara Journalist, The Elephant Discussants Fatma Karume Former President, Tanganyika Law Society Omar Mahmood Senior Analyst, Somalia, International Crisis Group Adem Abebe Programme Officer, Elections and Constitutional Governance, Ethiopia and Africa, International IDEA Kalundi Serumanga Journalist, Filmmaker and Cultural Activist

On 30 March 2021, the Rift Valley Forum, in collaboration with Heinrich Boll Foundation and The Elephant, brought together experts from the region to discuss lessons from the 2020 elections in Uganda and Tanzania and prospects for successful elections in Somalia and Ethiopia in 2021. The discussion highlighted how these countries tend to mirror each other in numerous ways, with cyclical and an often slow pace of reforms in electoral justice as a predominant issue. Moderator Patrick Gathara Journalist, The Elephant Discussants Fatma Karume Former President, Tanganyika Law Society Omar Mahmood Senior Analyst, Somalia, International Crisis Group Adem Abebe Programme Officer, Elections and Constitutional Governance, Ethiopia and Africa, International IDEA Kalundi Serumanga Journalist, Filmmaker and Cultural Activist

On 30 March 2021, the Rift Valley Forum, in collaboration with Heinrich Boll Foundation and The Elephant, brought together experts from the region to discuss lessons from the 2020 elections in Uganda and Tanzania and prospects for successful elections in Somalia and Ethiopia in 2021. The discussion highlighted how these countries tend to mirror each other in numerous ways, with cyclical and an often slow pace of reforms in electoral justice as a predominant issue. Moderator Patrick Gathara Journalist, The Elephant Discussants Fatma Karume Former President, Tanganyika Law Society Omar Mahmood Senior Analyst, Somalia, International Crisis Group Adem Abebe Programme Officer, Elections and Constitutional Governance, Ethiopia and Africa, International IDEA Kalundi Serumanga Journalist, Filmmaker and Cultural Activist

RVI's Magnus Taylor speaks with RVI researchers, Joseph Diing Majok and Nicki Kindersley, about their latest report, 'Breaking Out of the Borderlands: Understanding migrant pathways from Northern Bahr el-Ghazal, South Sudan'. The report takes the phenomena of the monetization of land, life and work in the borderland and looks at the consequences of this system for the young people who live in this region, arguing that the decision to leave South Sudan on long-distance migrant pathways can only be understood within the context of this militarized borderland economy. The young people who do decide to leave rely on mutual support and networks of information and care to survive. Due to distance and financial stress, these systems are now increasingly under strain.

On 17 September 2020, Somali leaders agreed on an indirect election model to be used for the country's upcoming elections, similar to the process used in 2016. Parliamentary elections were due to be completed by 28 December 2020, and presidential elections on 8 February 2021, but the consensus over the electoral process had begun to fray. A number of issues remain unresolved, which could further delay or delegitimize the electoral process. These include the composition of election management bodies, voting for seats allocated to Somaliland and election procedures in Jubbaland. On 17 December 2020, the Rift Valley Forum, in collaboration with Heinrich Boll Foundation, hosted an online event to explore these issues. The forum was moderated by Peter Chonka, lecturer at Kings College. Mahad Wasuge discussed the proposed electoral model and the changes from the 2016 model. Dr. Hodan spoke about women's participation in dialogues leading to the ‘Mogadishu Model’ and the space for women in electoral bodies and institutions, notably the challenge of financing female candidates in Somalia.

In response to recent events in Ethiopia, notably the declining space for civil society and humanitarian actors to operate and limited media coverage of the Ethiopia conflict, on 1 December 2020, the Rift Valley Forum hosted a panel discussion to explore the role of regional bodies and civil society in managing and mitigating conflict. The Forum was moderated by Rift Valley Forum Manager, Pauline Skaper. The panel of discussants included Rashid Abdi, Horn of Africa Political Analyst, Rita Mazzocchi, Horn of Africa Civil Society Forum, Peter Kamalingin, Uganda Country Director at Oxfam, and Kibreab Abera Lomencho, lawyer and activist.

On 28 October 2020, the Rift Valley Forum, in partnership with the Heinrich Boll Foundation, held the third forum in the Elections Series on the 2021 elections in Uganda and the prospects for political change in the country. The forum included a broader discussion on the role of youth and the need for an inter-generational dialogue given Uganda's high youth population; succession plans and what will follow Museveni's tenure; and how women's political participation can be reimagined and elevated. The forum was moderated by Irene Ikomu, a lawyer and political analyst. Discussants included Irene Ovonji-Odida, lawyer and women’s rights activist, Raymond Mujuni, investigative journalist, Johncation Muhindo, founder of Creations Forum Afrika and Dr. Daniel Ruhuweza, lecturer at Makerere University.

On 30 September 2020, the Rift Valley Forum, in partnership with Heinrich Boll Foundation, hosted the second forum in the Elections Series on the 2020 elections in Tanzania. The forum examined the Tanzania experience under President Magufuli, leader of Chama Cha Mapinduzi, who was elected in 2015. Among the issues discussed was the repression and harassment faced by opposition parties, the media and civil society organizations. The discussion also explored the situation in the semi-autonomous island state of Zanzibar, where the polls were predicted to be highly contested, with a history of election-related violence. The webinar was moderated by Oryem Nyeko from Human Rights Watch. Jenerali Ulimwengu of The East African and Fulgence Massawe of the Human Rights Centre in Tanzania were the key discussants, drawing from their experiences in journalism and human rights.

On 30 September 2020, the Rift Valley Forum, in partnership with Heinrich Boll Foundation, hosted the second forum in the Elections Series on the 2020 elections in Tanzania. The forum examined the Tanzania experience under President Magufuli, leader of Chama Cha Mapinduzi, who was elected in 2015. Among the issues discussed was the repression and harassment faced by opposition parties, the media and civil society organizations. The discussion also explored the situation in the semi-autonomous island state of Zanzibar, where the polls were predicted to be highly contested, with a history of election-related violence. The webinar was moderated by Oryem Nyeko from Human Rights Watch. Jenerali Ulimwengu of The East African and Fulgence Massawe of the Human Rights Centre in Tanzania were the key discussants, drawing from their experiences in journalism and human rights.

On 16 September 2020, the Rift Valley Forum, in partnership with Heinrich Boll Foundation, hosted on online forum to explore the electoral atmosphere in the East and Horn of Africa region. The forum provided a critical space for the examination of contentious issues around elections scheduled for 2020 and 2021. The issues discussed included security, the role of the media, participation of women and the unprecedented challenges that COVID-19 poses for elections. This forum was moderated by Rift Valley Forum Manager, Pauline Skaper, and drew perspectives from renowned experts. Mutriithi Mutiga (Horn of Africa Program Director, ICG) discussed the upcoming elections in Ethiopia and Somalia and the potential impacts on the wider region. Although several countries in the Horn were preparing for elections, Muriithi highlighted that in Ethiopia and Somalia, traditional elections would not necessarily be held but rather there would be a kind of political settlement to ensure stability. In the context of a high youth population in the region and increased access to social media and technology, Nanjala Nyabola discussed how these factors would affect future elections, especially in light of governments' realization of the power of social media and, in turn, the increasing policing of this space. Political commentator, Patrick Gathara, explored the role of mainstream traditional media in the lead-up to elections, and the way in which voices are amplified or suppressed. Dr. Awino Okech, SOAS, discussed the value of protests, highlighting the importance of protests as a means of democratic communication with government and in particular, the role of women in organizing.

On 16 September 2020, the Rift Valley Forum, in partnership with Heinrich Boll Foundation, hosted on online forum to explore the electoral atmosphere in the East and Horn of Africa region. The forum provided a critical space for the examination of contentious issues around elections scheduled for 2020 and 2021. The issues discussed included security, the role of the media, participation of women and the unprecedented challenges that COVID-19 poses for elections. This forum was moderated by Rift Valley Forum Manager, Pauline Skaper, and drew perspectives from renowned experts. Mutriithi Mutiga (Horn of Africa Program Director, ICG) discussed the upcoming elections in Ethiopia and Somalia and the potential impacts on the wider region. Although several countries in the Horn were preparing for elections, Muriithi highlighted that in Ethiopia and Somalia, traditional elections would not necessarily be held but rather there would be a kind of political settlement to ensure stability. In the context of a high youth population in the region and increased access to social media and technology, Nanjala Nyabola discussed how these factors would affect future elections, especially in light of governments' realization of the power of social media and, in turn, the increasing policing of this space. Political commentator, Patrick Gathara, explored the role of mainstream traditional media in the lead-up to elections, and the way in which voices are amplified or suppressed. Dr. Awino Okech, SOAS, discussed the value of protests, highlighting the importance of protests as a means of democratic communication with government and in particular, the role of women in organizing.

In the second conversation with researchers from the Displaced Tastes project, Magnus Taylor—RVI’s Publications Manager—talks to Luga Aquila about his work on the cultural and economic significance of cassava for the Pujulu people of Central Equatoria, South Sudan. In particular, Luga explains the significance of Yoyoji-yojaja, a particular form of cassava cultivated by young men as a means to develop bride-wealth, which enables them to get married.

In this short conversation with RVI researcher Elizabeth Nyibol, Magnus Taylor—RVI’s Publications Manager—discusses the life of Elizabeth’s aunt, Mary Ajok, who is the main subject of a paper written by Nyibol in 2020. Mary’s life illustrates the extraordinary lengths that South Sudanese women have gone to in order to preserve their culture of seed cultivation, especially in times of conflict and displacement.

Political Transition in Somalia - Q and A by Rift Valley Institute

Political Transition In Somalia - Panel by Rift Valley Institute

This show is brought to you under the South Sudan National Archives Project, supported by Norway and implemented by UNESCO in partnership with RVI, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. The ninth Tarikh Tan’na (Our History) radio show in this second series will focus on "South Sudanese Experiences of Return". Overview As South Sudan hopefully moves towards peace, the country looks forward to the return of over four million displaced and refugee citizens. However, this is not the first time that refugees and internally displaced people have moved back to South Sudan. The South Sudan National Archives holds a wealth of records from previous refugee returns, including the return and resettlement of populations after the Anya-Nya wars in 1972. After the CPA in 2005, around four million people returned to South Sudan. Many South Sudanese people have extensive experience of displacement and return. This history of return migration is also a history of societal reconstruction. With such large numbers of residents returning to their homeland, in 1972, from 2005, and again today, return migrations are times of social transformation. The archives record serious hardships for returnees, including hunger, a lack of health and education provision, problems of proving their rights to residence and nationality, and accessing land and livelihoods—all problems that returnees faced in 2005 and again today. Return and resettlement is also a moment of government reconstruction, as residents re-establish relationships with local and national government. This long history of returns raises several questions. How have repeated returns and resettlements reshaped South Sudanese society? How have social reconstructions post-return changed relationships between men and women, and between young and old people? What effects do these return migrations have on the nature of local and national government in South Sudan? The two guests were: Hon. Francis Barson Yousa Head of Juba Economic Zone and Associate Lecturer at the University of Juba Daniel Matur IOM South Sudan

This show is brought to you under the South Sudan National Archives Project, supported by Norway and implemented by UNESCO in partnership with RVI, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Museum and National Heritage (MCMNH). Overview Epidemics are connected to the history of border management in South Sudan. As the British colonial government was established over the 1930s, administrators saw the control of infectious disease as a key reason for the start of a pass system across Southern borders. Officials designated ‘areas’ within which people's movements in and out were controlled with passes. These were the first passports in Southern Sudan, to allow people to travel outside of ‘infected’ districts within Southern Sudan, and to cross the borders into Congo, Central Africa and Uganda. The passes were supposed to be issued by chiefs, and then stamped by clinics to show that the individual was free of infection. But this system was difficult to monitor and control—chiefs argued that people would just walk around the clinics and border posts, and the South Sudan National Archives in Juba records hundreds of people doing just that, to avoid the monitoring system. Epidemics like sleeping sickness were also a good excuse for the government to control workers and monitor taxation. The pass system was a useful way for the authorities to try to control the number of seasonal migrants and labourers who left and entered Sudan. The 1930s pass system tried to stop migrant workers from leaving the fields in Southern Sudan to go to find paid work in Uganda’s sugar fields. The passes also were a way to try to force people to pay their taxes: passes were not issued by chiefs unless the person’s taxes were paid in full. The social need to control the epidemic was also useful for the political need to control taxation and workers. Every borderland region of South Sudan has its own history of pass systems and border controls that relates to a past epidemic including cholera, measles, smallpox and livestock diseases. The two guests were: Professor Akway M. Cham Head of the Department of Community Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Juba. Professor Venansio Tombe Muludiang Professor of Demography at the School of Social and Economic Studies and an Advisor to Vice Chancellor on Community Outreach, University of Juba

Policy responses to COVID-19 in Eastern and the Horn of Africa with UNHCR, HIAS and IGAD.

COVID-19 and migration in Eastern and the Horn of Africa with the African Migration and Development Policy Centre (AMADPOC), Amnesty International and Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK).

This show is brought to you under the South Sudan National Archives Project, supported by Norway and implemented by UNESCO in partnership with RVI, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. The fifth Tarikh Tana (Our History) radio show in this second series will focus on "Women and Customary Law in South Sudan.” Overview South Sudanese women have often been subject to discrimination and unfair treatment in law since before the colonial period, but their struggles against these injustices, and their role in the justice system, has been hidden in archives and histories that have been written by and about men. But women have been involved in legal disputes—as victims, perpetrators, and accusers—throughout the history of customary and state law in South Sudan, and women have creatively used the legal system to struggle for freedoms and fight for rights, including through bringing cases to British officials under the Condominium government. Offenses by, and against, women have also been treated differently by patriarchal authorities through history: women have often been accused of being poisoners, witches, and engaging in adultery, and have fought against these accusations. There is much more research to be done on these hidden histories of women’s struggles in the South Sudan National Archive The two guests were: Kuyang Harriet Loggo MP Georgett Lat Mading

This show is brought to you under the South Sudan National Archives Project, supported by Norway and implemented by UNESCO in partnership with RVI, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. The fourth Tarikh Tana (Our History) radio show in this second series will focus on "An Evolution of Crime and Punishment in South Sudan”. Overview South Sudan’s diverse communities have always had methods to establish wrongdoing, judge and decide on disputes, settle conflicts, and organise compensation, punishment, and restitution. But with the formation of state government particularly since the 1930s, local chiefs and British officials tried to work out a common law for all of South Sudan. This history is documented in the South Sudan National Archives, where administrators and chiefs try to settle new criminal laws, standards of proof (which was difficult, particularly in cases of witchcraft and poisoning), and fair punishments. The Condominium government-built prisons, and this changed ideas of punishment across South Sudan. British and South Sudanese officials disagreed on fair punishments for crimes (for example child compensation for accidental deaths), and their attempts to standardise punishments across different communities led to confusion and suspicion on key issues such as dia and ‘blood compensation’. The two guests were: Dr Geri Raimondo Legge Professor of Law at the University of Juba and Former Justice of Court of Appeal in the Judiciary of South Sudan Female police officer from Jubek State Police Service

This show is brought to you under the South Sudan National Archives Project, supported by Norway and implemented by UNESCO in partnership with RVI, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. The third Tarikh Tan’na (Our History) radio show in this second series will focus on "Chiefs Remuneration in History: The Change of Funding Sources for Customary Leaders in South Sudan" We will look at some proposals for Chief’s Pay and some pay sheets from late 1920s and early 1930s to understand how they used to get their pay. Overview The Anglo-Egyptian Condominium determined that chiefs would be the lowest level of their government administration by the 1920s – in some cases, organising new chiefly authorities for areas and communities that did not have them before. Initially, these chiefs were compensated for their work through giving them a certain amount of the tax they collected, along with guns to enforce their authority. But by the 1930s, the government wanted to make this system cheaper and more organised. Correspondence between British governors from the South Sudan National Archives discussed the organisation of salaries for chiefs. Their pay was based on the number of people they were responsible for, and how much tax revenue they collected. This meant that chiefs’ authority was tied to how many people they represented – counted by government census and tax collectors – and chiefs’ pay was dependent on their proper collection of tax for the colonial government. This history raises several questions. Are chiefs government employees, or are they representatives of the people ? Who are chiefs responsible to ? Should chiefs’ remuneration be linked to the tax revenues they can get from people, or to number of people they serve, and what are the consequences of this? And what do people get in return for paying their chiefs? The two guests will be: 1/ Mboribamu Renzi Paramount Chief of Tombura County 2/ Daniel Thon Dhuor Executice Chief of Eastern Lakes States (Yirol), Adior County

This show is brought to you under the South Sudan National Archives Project, supported by Norway and implemented by UNESCO in partnership with RVI, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. The second show of Tarikh Tan’na (Our History) series will focus on “Justice: for who and by who?” We will take the Torit District court books for 1957 and 1959 found in the South Sudan National Archives, as the starting point for our discussion. Court book By the 1930s, the Southern Sudanese Native Administration system (idara ahliya) was becoming bureaucratic and organised. Government outposts evolved into small towns and provided administrative centres for the hierarchy of courts established under the 1931 Chiefs’ Courts Ordinance. The court book for Torit C Court was one of many court books that recorded the outcomes of cases since the 1930s. These records were short and focused. They included the name, home village, and clan of the convicted person, brief details of the case, and the final sentence of imprisonment and fines. These court books demonstrate the rise of government power in South Sudan, including the power to imprison people in new prisons. In these court books, we can see examples of punishments for government corruption, and the court’s attempt to punish a political rebel. We can also see how courts were places where values were decided: for example, determining the right punishment for rape or for theft, and deciding the right values of compensation money and prison sentences for accidental death and murder. Courts became spaces for debates about property, rights, and the government’s power to judge and punish. The two guests will be: Elias Asu Kidia Director General for Programs and Training, Local Government Board, Republic of South Sudan, Juba Dr Geri Raimondo Legge Professor of Law at the University of Juba and former Justice of Court of Appeal in the Judiciary of South Sudan

This show is brought to you under the South Sudan National Archives Project, supported by Norway and implemented by UNESCO in partnership with RVI, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. The first Tarikh Tana (Our History) radio show in this second series will focus on What makes a chief? The changing role of customary authorities. We will take two personality sheets written about chiefs under the British Colonial period, found in the South Sudan National Archives, as the starting point for our discussion. Chiefs personality sheets Beginning in the 1920s Native Administration (idara ahliya in Arabic) became the system of local government in the rural areas throughout Sudan. Native administration increased the power of local leaders who gained influence in dispute resolution, taxation and judicial functions. It was abolished in the northern provinces by Jaafar Nimeiri in 1971, but retained in the Southern Region after the Addis Ababa Agreement of 1972. The system required province administrators to identify local leaders, arrange them in hierarchies of chiefs and sub-chiefs, and organize chiefs courts. Personality reports were kept on each local leader identifying the territory they represented, their place in the hierarchy of Native Administration, and an outline of their duties. These reports were updated by each succeeding district commissioner, who added his own personal assessment of the chief. Often their comments say more about the district commissioner than about the chief. The two guests will be: Yosa Wawa Professor of History at University of Juba Chief Kon Mayar Machar Paramount Chief of Aluak Luak in Eastern Lakes States

For thirty years, Somalia has experienced violence and upheaval. National and international efforts to build a state and achieve reconciliation are challenged by deep-rooted grievances, local conflicts and a long-running insurgency. On 10th December, the Rift Valley Institute, CAN International and Aston University hosted a panel discussion to launch the book, War and Peace in Somalia: National Grievances, Local Conflict and Al-Shabaab. The book, consisting of forty-two articles by conflict resolution specialists and leading experts on Somalia, is a unique collection of insights into Somalia’s protracted conflicts, and the efforts of Somali women, men and youth, and international actors to resolve them.

On 16 October 2019, the Rift Valley Forum, in partnership with the Institute of Development Studies at Sussex University and Friends of Lake Turkana, hosted a discussion of initial findings from the Seeing Conflict at the Margins project (seeingconflict.org/). The Forum opened with an introduction to the project, followed by a screening and discussion of videos and photography created by local teams over the past two years. The speakers presented on ways of ‘seeing’ resource development in communities in and around the Lake Turkana Wind Power and Ol Karia geothermal power project and discuss the insights on local people’s perspectives and the research approaches used.

On 16 October 2019, the Rift Valley Forum, in partnership with the Institute of Development Studies at Sussex University and Friends of Lake Turkana, hosted a discussion of initial findings from the Seeing Conflict at the Margins project (https://seeingconflict.org/). The Forum opened with an introduction to the project, followed by a screening and discussion of videos and photography created by local teams over the past two years. The speakers presented on ways of ‘seeing’ resource development in communities in and around the Lake Turkana Wind Power and Ol Karia geothermal power project and discuss the insights on local people’s perspectives and the research approaches used.

In June 2015, the Turkana County Government, UNHCR and the Central Government allocated a site near the Kalobeyei Township, 3.5 kilometres northwest of Kakuma refugee camp and measuring 15 square kilometres, to host the ever-growing number of South Sudanese refugees in Kakuma refugee camp. Kalobeyei offers a new system for welcoming and hosting refugees by not only offering a market-based settlement in which they can integrate with host communities but also ensuring that refugee hosting is transformed into an opportunity for the development of the host community. On 6 August 2019, the Rift Valley Forum, in partnership with Amnesty International, hosted Professor Alexander Betts of the University of Oxford and the Director of Refugee Economies Programme to discuss the successes, challenges and opportunities of the Kalobeyei initiative. The Refugee Economies Programme undertakes research on the economic lives of refugees, analysing refugee self-reliance, the role of the private sector and refugee economies in various countries, including Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia.

In June 2015, the Turkana County Government, UNHCR and the Central Government allocated a site near the Kalobeyei Township, 3.5 kilometres northwest of Kakuma refugee camp and measuring 15 square kilometres, to host the ever-growing number of South Sudanese refugees in Kakuma refugee camp. Kalobeyei offers a new system for welcoming and hosting refugees by not only offering a market-based settlement in which they can integrate with host communities but also ensuring that refugee hosting is transformed into an opportunity for the development of the host community. On 6 August 2019, the Rift Valley Forum, in partnership with Amnesty International, hosted Professor Alexander Betts of the University of Oxford and the Director of Refugee Economies Programme to discuss the successes, challenges and opportunities of the Kalobeyei initiative. The Refugee Economies Programme undertakes research on the economic lives of refugees, analysing refugee self-reliance, the role of the private sector and refugee economies in various countries, including Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia.

For the fifth time since 2010, Somalia is exploring options for an electoral model that will advance the country’s democratic process. Despite previous attempts to pursue democracy, Somalia has failed to shed its clan-based political system. So far, the Federal Government of Somalia and other key stakeholders have been unable to agree on a workable electoral model for the 2020 parliamentary and 2021 presidential elections. On 25 July 2019, the Rift Valley Forum and the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies (HIPS) launched a new report by HIPS, Somalia: In Search of a Workable 2020 Electoral Model. The event presented the four possible electoral models discussed in the report and discussed the challenges and way forward for selecting an electoral model and laying the foundation for universal suffrage in Somalia.

For the fifth time since 2010, Somalia is exploring options for an electoral model that will advance the country’s democratic process. Despite previous attempts to pursue democracy, Somalia has failed to shed its clan-based political system. So far, the Federal Government of Somalia and other key stakeholders have been unable to agree on a workable electoral model for the 2020 parliamentary and 2021 presidential elections. On 25 July 2019, the Rift Valley Forum and the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies (HIPS) launched a new report by HIPS, Somalia: In Search of a Workable 2020 Electoral Model. The event presented the four possible electoral models discussed in the report and discussed the challenges and way forward for selecting an electoral model and laying the foundation for universal suffrage in Somalia.

The report is a product of the X-Border Local Research Network, a component of DFID's Cross-border Conflict—Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) programme. The programme carries out research work to better understand the causes and impacts of conflict in border areas and their international dimensions. It supports more effective policymaking and development programming and builds the skills of local partners. The report was written by Eddie Thomas, an RVI Fellow.

On 14 February 2019, the Rift Valley Forum hosted a panel discussion to disseminate a new report —Participation, Voice and Governance in Investment Corridors in Africa: the case of the Lamu Port and South Sudan Ethiopia Transport Corridor Project, LAPSSET—produced by the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies of the University of Western Cape, in partnership with the Agricultural Policy Research in Africa Programme. The report examines the extent to which smallholder farmers, fishers, women and youth have been included in the implementation of LAPSSET, and its potential impact on these communities.

On 14 February 2019, the Rift Valley Forum hosted a panel discussion to disseminate a new report —Participation, Voice and Governance in Investment Corridors in Africa: the case of the Lamu Port and South Sudan Ethiopia Transport Corridor Project, LAPSSET—produced by the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies of the University of Western Cape, in partnership with the Agricultural Policy Research in Africa Programme. The report examines the extent to which smallholder farmers, fishers, women and youth have been included in the implementation of LAPSSET, and its potential impact on these communities.