Phase 4
Political reform and reconciliation
Phase description
This phase is characterized by longer-term political reform and reconciliation efforts. Several commissions may be set up to ensure the full implementation of political, constitutional, administrative, and electoral reforms. There may also be reconciliation, trust-building, and truth-seeking efforts. Such activities may be delayed as a result of the unwillingness of conflict parties to commit to the agreed-upon reforms. Conflict parties may seek to retain the status quo, reverse the gains, or manipulate the content, direction, and pace of the implementation process. In addition, while power-sharing arrangements may be functioning, the new power-holders may block a genuine political reform process, which, for instance, would address the socio-economic causes of the conflict.
Explore the following 2 use case(s) of digital technology:
Use Case 1
Digital civilian monitoring of security incidents
A digital reporting system that allows trained voluntary civilian monitors and the general public to input any incidents on the ground. The collected data would provide up-to-date information on the security situation across the country. Individuals would be able to input through SMS, online, or through a mobile application. A public version would display general information, but would not be traceable to individual reporters. All reports would be triangulated and verified by a team of validators before being published. Members of the public who report an incident could opt to be contacted by trained civilian monitors as part of the verification process. The system should be clearly linked to a response mechanism that can deal with reported incidents.
The tool can be used in phases 2, 3 and 4.
Important context factors
The system will be most successful if used to complement existing sources. The effectiveness of the system depends on the responsibility and reliability of the civilian monitors. In conflict-affected areas, there may be limited availability of public digital infrastructure.
Risks and possible unintended consequences
- Civilian monitors may face security threats, especially if their location or identity is disclosed through surveillance
- Malicious actors may generate false reports based on fabricated information
- Information of security incidents may destabilize the situation and result in more violence
Strategic purpose of digital inclusion
Functions of digital Technology
Outputs of digital Technology
Technologies used
Apps, SMS systems, online dashboard
Use Case 2
Online participation in political reform processes
This social media tool connects local level dialogue efforts that aim to prevent election violence with national-level political reform processes. The tool would be composed of two social media groups: First, a closed social media group for mediators, through which local-level mediators can regularly share the results of the dialogue processes with national-level mediators that support the political reform process. Second, a public-facing social media page would allow members of the public to share their thoughts on the reform process, for instance, through polls, stories, or comments on posted statements. The group would help to capture the qualitative content of the local-level dialogues (e.g. how citizens are thinking about a given reform process and what political changes they wish to see). This public group would include summaries from the private group, and general information about the reform process.
The tool could be used to prevent elecotral violence (Phase 1) or deal with its aftermath (Phase 4).
Important context factors
The tool requires both the willingness and motivation of local dialogue participants to share information and inform national-level processes. The dialogue participants' digital literacy will influence the quality of inputs on the social media page. High levels of political polarization and the prevalence of hate speech may jeopardize the online dialogue efforts or require strong content moderation.
Risks and possible unintended consequences
- There may be limited buy-in, for instance, if the platform is seen as politically biased, or if it is considered removed from the national reform process
- Participants in local dialogues may have little trust in local mediation processes if the results of these dialogues are shared online
- As in offline dialogues, members of marginalized and disempowered population groups may not speak up to share their views
Strategic purpose of digital inclusion
Functions of digital Technology
Outputs of digital Technology
Technologies used
Social media
Proceed to another phase
Phase 4