Governance Structures in a Post Conflict Environment - Main Users / Purpose

There are always high stakes involved, defining the reality of centre-local relations is an arena of intense competition, both as part of elaborating the constitutional process and as the defining element of politics in a transitional period.  Divisions of administrative responsibility at the central, regional and local levels affect major issues of power (e.g. taxation) and principle (e.g. religious versus secular courts and the role of women). Often modernist traditionalist divide runs parallel to central-local divisions. Often a massive international interest of states beyond the region in rebuilding the country politically and economically provides the most significant change from the conflict situation.

To sustain the framework for nation-building, the international commitment must not only endure; specific interests pursued by various external actors in the country need to be balanced by a commitment to the peace and nation building. Sensitivity is required when it comes to international expectations regarding Western, secular concepts of human rights and democratic development.

The method commences at the point when large scale armed conflict has ceased and a genuine interest exists amongst the majority of citizens that peace and rebuilding of the state is desired. It describes the processes required for establishing governance structures at the local (i.e. community or village level) through the sub-national (i.e. district, province or regional level) and how this can be interlinked at the national level. Finally, the roles of the international community are also highlighted in the method.

Photo 1: Village planning workshop

Photo 2: Sections of a Village development plan