Title: Collaborative Governance And Networks In Somaliland: A Systematic Review Of Evidence On Co-Creation, Public Value, And Network Management Challenges.
Authors: Mustafe Mahamoud Abdillahi, PhD (c)
Volume: 9
Issue: 11
Pages: 112-126
Publication Date: 2025/11/28
Abstract:
Background: The Republic of Somaliland, a de facto state lacking widespread international recognition, operates with severe fiscal constraints, necessitating a reliance on non-state actors for public service delivery. This has resulted in a unique system of hybrid governance where intricate networks between public agencies, international and local NGOs, private sector entities, and traditional clan institutions are fundamental to survival and development, moving beyond a traditional Weberian public sector model. Objective: This systematic review aimed to locate, appraise, and synthesize all available empirical evidence to understand the processes, outcomes, and challenges of collaborative governance networks between public agencies and non-state actors in Somaliland. Methods: The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search was performed across electronic databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, PAIS Index, World Bank eLibrary), institutional repositories, and grey literature sources. Manual citation tracking was also employed. Of 665 identified records, 22 studies met the pre-defined inclusion criteria (empirical, focused on Somaliland, and about collaborative governance). The methodological quality of included studies was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklists, and findings were synthesized through thematic analysis. Results: The synthesis identified four predominant, often overlapping, network typologies: donor-led consortia, community-driven committees, public-private partnerships, and hybrid security arrangements. A fundamental tension exists in defining effectiveness; international donors prioritize short-term, tangible outputs, while local communities value long-term institutional legitimacy, social cohesion, and relational outcomes. Critical enabling factors included process-based trust built through personal relationships, adaptive and distributed leadership, and the legitimizing role of traditional institutions. Major challenges encompassed severe power imbalances and resource dependency on international donors, conflicting accountability mechanisms, systemic fragmentation, corruption/elite capture, and significant capacity disparities that threaten sustainability. Conclusion: Collaborative governance networks are a fundamental, yet fragile and complex, mode of governance in Somaliland. Their success is highly contingent on contextual factors, particularly the ability to navigate the interplay between formal and informal institutions. The findings underscore the need for policies that foster genuine partnership, design for complementarity between modern and traditional systems, and develop context-sensitive measures of public value. Future research should address significant gaps, including the role of the private sector and the use of longitudinal and mixed-methods designs.