Perceptions of Returnees in Somaliland Politics: The Grounds for Legitimacy

Engaging Diasporas in Development and State-Building: The Role of the Kurdish Diaspora and Returnees in Rebuilding the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

“…While so much attention has been given to how diasporans and returnees can engage in homeland development activities, little research has been carried out on how locals who stayed during the conflict actually perceive such interventions (Rock, 2017, p.205). As previous research shows, ethnic ties do not necessarily bring a feeling of shared destiny and future (Rock, 2017;Baser and Toivanen, 2018). Diasporas can only contribute fully when there is harmony between the homeland policies, expectations and capabilities of both sides, and also when there is a working relationship between the locals and the diasporans/returnees.…”

“…al 2009, p.17). In cases where out-migration was once perceived as unpatriotic, especially in countries experiencing crises, the discourse has now shifted towards a more positive outlook characterizing the diasporas as part of the solution to underdevelopment (Mohan, 2008, p.464;van Hear and Cohen, 2017, p.172), or as "agents of change" ( van Houte, 2014;Budabin, 2014;Sinatti and Horst, 2015;Rock, 2017). In post-conflict settings, diaspora contributions become all the more important as they can contribute to knowledge capital, capacity-building and investment, as well as peace-building and the strengthening of civil society (Kuschminder, 2011;Hamdouch and Wahba, 2015).…”