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Governmentality and Counterterrorism: Appropriating International Security Projects in Kenya

2012; Routledge; Volume: 6; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/17502977.2012.655558

1750-2985

Jan Bachmann,

International Development and Aid

Abstract Abstract Considering the growing influence of studies of governmentality within international relations, this article proposes a stronger engagement with the dynamics that happen in the arenas where dominant rationales are put into practice—in the interstices between programmes and their realization. Conceptual tools discussed in the anthropology of development have provided useful insights on how discursive and material interventions are negotiated, translated and appropriated by the actors involved. The case of international counterterrorism engagement in Kenya, in particular the Danish 'Peace, Security and Development Programme', illustrates how local mobilization against controversial security practices in Kenya has influenced the Danish counterterrorism agenda. However, the project's subsequent focus on ownership and empowerment remained entangled with more disciplinary forms of engagement. Keywords: governmentalitysecurity–development nexuscounterterrorismappropriationtranslationKenya Acknowledgements The author would like to thank the special issue editors, Maria Stern and the two anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments and suggestions on earlier versions of this article. Notes 1. The following paragraphs draw on Bachmann and Hönke (2010; see additionally Whitaker 2008, Howell and Lind 2010, Ruteere and Ogada 2010 Ruteere, M. and Ogada, M. 2010. "Regional challenges, local response: civil society and human rights in US–Kenya counterterrorism cooperation". In Civil society under strain: counterterrorism, policy, civil society and aid post-9/11, Edited by: Howell, J. and Lind, J. 227–247. Sterling, VA: Kumarian Press. [Google Scholar]). 2. Interviews, representative human rights organization, Mombasa, 26/27 November 2007. 3. Interviews, representative human rights body, Nairobi, 21 November 2007; human rights activist, Nairobi, 7 December 2007; representative human rights advocacy group, Nairobi, 13 December 2007; scholar, Nairobi, 12 December 2007; Paul Muite, former MP and chairman of the parliamentary committee on the administration of justice and parliamentary affairs, Nairobi, 11 September 2008. 4. An overview is provided in Bachmann and Hönke (2010). 5. The project 'Strengthening Counterterrorism Capacities for a Safer Kenya' was facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme and the UN Office on Drugs and Crimes. Its main aim was to provide legal assistance to the Kenyan government on finalizing the anti-terrorism legislation. It also provided awareness-raising workshops for law enforcement officials and the judiciary. Attempts by UNDP officials to integrate non-state voices into the project and to widen the scope of the project were met with resistance by the implementing agency. The National Counterterrorism Centre as the owner of this project reminded UNDP about the metacode agreed upon in the work plan. As a consequence only a small number of activities were implemented. The project was on the brink of failure and the work plan had to be renegotiated. Interviews, UNDP representative, Nairobi, 14 November 2007, 26 August 2008. 6. Interviews, representative 1 Muhuri, Mombasa, 26/27 November 2007. 7. Interviews, representative Danish embassy 1, Nairobi, 12 November 2007; representative CIPK, Mombasa, 9 September 2008. 8. Interview, representative CIPK, Mombasa, 9 September 2008. 9. Interview, representative 2 Muhuri, Mombasa, 9 November 2008. 10. Interviews, representative 1 Danish embassy, Nairobi, 12 November 2007. 11. Between 2005 and 2008 the groups were Muslims for Human Rights, the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, Likoni Youth Development Programme, Coast Interfaith Council of Clerics and the Ujamaa Foundation, all based in and around Mombasa. 12. Interview, CIPK representative, Mombasa, 9 September 2008. 13. As confirmed by representatives of three of the five local partners. Interviews, Mombasa, 26–28 November 2007; 8–9 September 2008 and Nairobi, 12 September 2008. 14. Interview, representative Muslim umbrella organization, Mombasa, 9 September 2008. 15. Interview, representative 2 Danish embassy, Nairobi, 27 August 2008.