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| THE SOMALI RECONCILIATION PROCESS: Past Challenges, Future
Prospects,
and Lesson Learned In Peace Building
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For almost 15 years since the collapse of central authority in Somalia, the country did not have a recognized functioning government. Prolonged civil war and inter-clan conflicts resulted in massive destruction and incalculable loss of human life and property. During this period, 14 national reconciliation meetings were held outside the country, mostly sponsored by the countries of the region under the auspices of the Regional Organizations of IGAD, AU, and /or the Arab League. The above mentioned initiatives included meetings held in:
All these meetings failed(1) and they could not be implemented on the ground. Some of the contributory factors for these failures were the following:
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Somali Transition President Abdiqasim Salad Hassan (R) witnesses officials from his government take part in signing an accord with other Somali leaders January 29,2004 in Nairobi. Somali warlords and politicians signed a landmark accord on the formation of a parliarment that will elect a national president for the wartorn horn of Africa country. REUTERS/Patrick Olum |
Against this backdrop of failures and setbacks, the 15th Somali National Reconciliation Conference (SNRC) was held in Nairobi, Kenya 2003.(2) The Initiative to convene the conference was endorsed by the IGAD summit of 2003 and supported by the AU, the Arab League and the UN.
The Conference was successfully concluded with the formal adoption of a Federal Transitional Charter; followed by the inauguration of a Transitional Federal Parliament in August 2004, election of a President in 2004, and finally the granting of the vote of confidence to a Prime Minister and the establishment of a Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in early 2005.
This reconciliation process was different from similar previous processes since it was broad based and all-inclusive with the full participation of all the stakeholders including the warlords, traditional elders, civil society leaders and existing Regional Administrations (with the exception of Somaliland). The outcome of the conference was also unique since this was the first time within the last 15 years when a Somali government formed by an inclusive reconciliation conference was established and relocated in Somali territory. This by itself was a significant unprecedented accomplishment.
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Somalia's newly elected Somali President Abdulahi Yusuf (L) holds hands with his newly appointed Prime Minister Mohamed Ali Ghedi after addressing the media in Kenya's capital Nairobi, November 3, 2004. Somalia's new president chose academic Geedi as prime minister on Wednesday, overlooking the powerful warlords and clan chiefs who have dragged the country through 13 years of civil war and anarchy. REUTERS |
The second important outcome of the Nairobi process was the sustainability of the SNRC’s Transitional Institutions and their use as an appropriate platform for institutional evolution and continuing reconciliation process to resolve outstanding differences and conflicts. This was amply demonstrated by the negotiations that led to the agreement concluded by the President of the Transitional Federal Government Mr. Abdullahi Yusuf and the Speaker of Parliament Mr. Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, which took place in Aden, Yemen, on 5th January 2006.
The agreement broke the deadlock within the Transitional Institutions and called for the convening of the first Session of the Transitional Parliament in Baidoa, Somalia. It is significant to note that this high-level reconciliation meeting which was held through the mediation efforts of the President of Yemen proved to be a milestone in the Somali reconciliation process as it brought together rival groups in the Government and Parliament. The agreement ended the longstanding dispute over the site of the seat of parliament and facilitated the convening of the inaugural session of Parliament in Baidoa on the 26th February 2006. The initiative was welcomed by the United Nations, regional organizations and the International Community. This was an important development, which opened the door for the positive cooperation, unity, and solidarity of the members of government and parliament.
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Somalia's President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed (L) and parliament speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan (R) speak to the media after signing a declaration in the southern Yemeni port city of Aden January 5, 2006. Yusuf and Adan agreed on Thursday to end a rift that has paralysed the nation. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah. |
Regional Peace Building and Reconciliation Process
While national reconciliation was generally achieved at high-level political engagements, greater efforts were required to consolidate, expand, and develop the reconciliation process at regional and district levels. Unfortunately, the TFG, as presently constituted, lacks the effectiveness and resources to implement concrete action-oriented plans for peace, reconciliation, and nation building. In the case of Somaliland and Puntland, significant results have been achieved in the realization of these goals.(3) Generally, the people in these areas have demonstrated a sense of responsibility and political maturity to resolve their internal disputes and conflicts peacefully by the use of indigenous methods through dialogue and reconciliation, using the mediation efforts of traditional clan elders. In consequence, the endeavors made by traditional elders and community leaders have positively contributed to peace building and reconciliation. In Somaliland, thanks to the role of traditional leaders, it has constituted and institutionalized the Council of Elders known as the “Guurti”. The Guurti has been established in early 1990s and it has been functioning there effectively as a mechanism for mediation, reconciliation, and conflict resolution. For the past few years, the institution of the Guurti, in the exercise of its mandate, has successfully tackled and resolved a number of disputes.
In Puntland, similarly a council of elders known as “Golaha Isimada” has been established in late 1990s, with the agreement of the clan communities. Generally, Puntlanders gave these elders the power to use their moral authority to intervene as necessary in conflict situations that threaten peace and stability of the Puntland Regional State. It is important to note that the remarkable achievements in both Somaliland and Puntland have been, in a large measure, due to the ceaseless efforts deployed by traditional leaders in resolving local conflicts and the overwhelming support they enjoy from their constituencies and the public at large.
While complimenting the relative peace and stability in Puntland and Somaliland, it should be noted that Puntland, unlike Somaliland, continue to subscribe and support the reconstitution and revival of a united Somali central government. Somaliland, on the other hand, unilaterally declared its secession from the rest of Somalia, proclaiming its sovereignty over what constituted the former British Somaliland Protectorate. However, Somaliland secession remains unrecognized by the International Community as well as by at least two regions (Sool and Sanaag) which constitute about 40% of the land of Somaliland. With the collapse of central authority, the traditional elders of these two regions opted to join Puntland rather than join Somaliland’s secessionist project.
In Mogadishu and Banadir Region, in recent months, the Sharia courts with the support of some clan elders have contributed to peace and local administration building. This has been a positive development. However, more determined efforts are required to create a favorable environment for dialogue and peace building. In Central and Southern Regions, in particular, where persistent and prolonged tension and conflict have generated widespread hostilities, there is an urgent need for peace and reconciliation. Traditional elders of the Region have become weak and marginalized in the face of the continuing armed conflict and are incapable to engage in serious mediation efforts. It is reported that some progress has been achieved in the peace negotiations among the local rival clan groups in the Bay Region area but unless genuine reconciliation is launched and agreement reached by the parties under government leadership, it would be difficult to re establish durable peace in the conflict affected Districts. It will therefore be necessary that the TFG should use its institutional authority to encourage the local population to promote reconciliation and establish their own administrations in order to restore law and order. The TFG’s National Reconciliation Commission, once it becomes functional, should play an important role in this regard.
Continue....
Ahmed A. Hassan
E-Mail: ahmedh60@gmail.com
WardheerNews
(2) Unlike previous meetings, the SNRC was successful and produced constitutional framework for peace and institution building which is now in the process of implementation.
(3) It is important to note that the reconciliation processes in Somaliland and Puntland were homegrown, District and regionally based and initiated & conducted by respected clan elders.
| Ahmed A. Hassan | Page 1 of 2 |
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