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The Role of Religion in Conflict and Management: the Case of Somalia

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The Role of Religion in Conflict and Management: the Case of Somalia THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN CONFLICT AND MANAGEMENT: THE CASE OF SOMALIA, 1999 - 2012 PRIYA N. NYAMWAYA R52/80413/2012 A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT MANAGEMENT TO THE INSTITUTE OF DIPLOMACY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (IDIS), UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI. SEPTEMBER 2014 DECLARATION I, Nyamwaya, Priya N., declare that this research project is my original work and has not been presented for a degree to any other University. …………………………………………… ………………………………… Nyamwaya, Priya N. , Date Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies (IDIS) University of Nairobi This project has been submitted for examination with my approval as University Supervisor ………………………………………… …………………………… Dr. Ibrahim Farah, Date Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies (IDIS) University of Nairobi ii DEDICATION I dedicate this research project to my Family. To my Husband, Maj. Y. A. Mohamed (OGW), thank you for the love, support, patience and encouragement that you have given me. From the ideas and information that you have provided that have helped me understand Somalia. To my children, Nazmin and Mohamed Noor Yahya for being patient with your Mother. To my Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nyamwaya for the love, support and encouragement that you have shown me. To my Siblings, Phoebe, Psalm and Paula Nyamwaya for really encouraging me to finish this project. I thank everyone who has also participated through guidance and information thus ensuring this research is well studied. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Whereas I reiterate that I am accountable for this work, I cannot omit to recognize the fact that left alone, I would not have accomplished. In this regard therefore, I wish to extend grateful acknowledgement to the people who accorded me support in various ways. First and foremost, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Ibrahim Farah, my supervisor whose guidance, advice, constructive criticism and encouragement were valuable in the course of this dissertation. My lecturers and fellow classmates who provided insights to this project, and advice throughout the writing of this project. I also want to appreciate all the respondents who sacrificed their time to willingly attend interviews so as to give information that was helpful in the research. Over and above all, I give my utmost gratitude to the Almighty Allah, for His mercies that have enabled me complete this research project. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION........................................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION.............................................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................................... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................. v ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................ viii ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY .......................................................................................... 1 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ............................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Statement of the Research Problem .......................................................................................... 5 1.3 Objectives of the Study ............................................................................................................. 7 1.4 Literature Review...................................................................................................................... 8 1.5 Justification of the Study ........................................................................................................ 19 1.6 Hypotheses .............................................................................................................................. 20 1.7 Theoretical Framework ........................................................................................................... 20 1.8 Research Methodology ........................................................................................................... 22 1.9 Chapter Outline ....................................................................................................................... 23 CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................................ 25 THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN COFLICT AND MANAGEMENT: AN OVERVIEW .... 25 2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 25 2.1 Background ............................................................................................................................. 26 v 2.2 Religion and Conflict .............................................................................................................. 31 2.2.1 Islam in Somalia .................................................................................................................. 32 2.2.2 Islamic Militancy ................................................................................................................. 35 2.2.3 Islamic Movements .............................................................................................................. 39 2.3 The Role of Religion in Conflict and Management ................................................................ 47 2.4 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 49 CHAPTER THREE……………………………………………………………………………51 THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN CONFLICT AND MANAGEMENT : THE CASE OF SOMALIA, 1999 - 2012……………………………………………………………………….51 3.1 Religion as a Cause of Conflict .............................................................................................. 51 3.2 Religion as a Resource for Conflict ........................................................................................ 54 3.3 The Emergence of Islamic Militancy in Somalia ................................................................... 57 3.4 Religion and Conflict Management ........................................................................................ 63 3.5 The Role of Religious Leaders and Institutions in Conflict Management.............................. 66 3.6 Religion and Other Factors of Conflict: The Interplay ........................................................... 70 3.7 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 77 CHAPTER FOUR ....................................................................................................................... 79 THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN CONFLICT AND MANAGEMENT: THE CASE OF SOMALIA, 1999 – 2012 ............................................................................................................. 79 4.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 79 4.1 Emerging Issues ...................................................................................................................... 79 4.1.1 Religious Fundamentalism................................................................................................... 79 4.1.2 External Intervention and Influence..................................................................................... 85 vi 4.1.3 The Role of Clannism .......................................................................................................... 88 4.2 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 89 CHAPTER FIVE ........................................................................................................................ 90 CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................... 90 5.1 Summary ................................................................................................................................. 90 5.2 Key Findings ........................................................................................................................... 91 5.3 Recommendations ................................................................................................................... 94 BIBLIOGRAPHY ......................................................................................................................... 96 vii ABSTRACT Somalia is a country that has experienced conflict for more than two decades. It has had state fragility, proliferation of small arms, conflict between clans and recently conflict by Islamist movements. Religion has been used in the conflict in Somalia not only
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