Talking food and power in Somalia: discussions in Nairobi and Mogadishu

Abstract

Following publication of the ‘Food and Power in Somalia: Business as Usual?’ report, in January 2020, the Conflict Research Programme Somalia Team invested in a major dissemination and discussion exercise; presentations were made in London (23rd January) but more importantly in Nairobi and Mogadishu, between the 24th February and 2nd March. Meetings in Nairobi included a public presentation through RVI, a mixed donor group meeting, a small Somali NGO group meeting, as well as on an individual agency basis with DfID, FAO, WFP and ICRC. In Mogadishu, presentations were held with a joint UN group, through the UN Integration Unit (under the deputy SRSG) and with a mixed international and national NGO group (under the NGO Consortium). Individual meetings with Government representatives and private businesses were also held in Mogadishu. Each of these meetings was at least 1.5-2 hours long and involved extensive discussion of the research findings and implications. Over 150 people collectively were involved in all of these meetings, the majority being aid practitioners. This work is part of the Conflict Research Programme managed by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and funded by the UK Department for International Development