SOAS Research Online

Abstract

Somaliland portrays typical characteristics of a liberal peacebuilding context; a post-conflict environment, which peacebuilders are accused of defining as traumatised and dysfunctional. Located within a region that presents security challenges viewed through the lens of the global war on terror, she hosts numerous external actors such as the UN, and INGOs whose impact on the development landscape beyond relief is questionable. However, critical engagement or interest in Somaliland beyond the state building/state formation analysis is limited. I argue that outside this oft cited example, there is need to critically engage with other ongoing processes which have a liberal agenda. This offers both a nuanced critique and highlights the limitations and challenges of interventions within such contexts. The paper draws on empirical research undertaken between 2010 and 2012; other studies and draws on critical liberal peacebuilding literature. It concludes by challenging the limited focus by critics calling for focus on other marginal contexts.