ASSESSMENT REPORT 2011 PHASE 1 - PEACE AND RECONCILIATION JOIN- TOGETHER ACTION For Galmudug, Himan and Heb, Galgaduud and Hiiraan Regions, Somalia Yme/NorSom/GSA By OMAR SALAD BSc (HONS.) DIPSOCPOL, DIPGOV&POL Consultant, in collaboration with HØLJE HAUGSJÅ (program Manager Yme) and MOHAMED ELMI SABRIE JAMALLE (Director NorSom). 1 Table of Contents Pages Summary of Findings, Analysis and Assessment 5-11 1. Introduction 5 2. Common Geography and History Background of the Central Regions 5 3. Political, Administrative Governing Structures and Roles of Central Regions 6 4. Urban Society and Clan Dynamics 6 5. Impact of Piracy on the Economic, Social and Security Issues 6 6. Identification of Possibility of Peace Seeking Stakeholders in Central Regions 7 7. Identification of Stakeholders and Best Practices of Peace-building 9 8. How Conflicts resolved and peace Built between People Living Together According 9 to Stakeholders 9. What Causes Conflicts Both locally and regional/Central? 9 10. Best Practices of Ensuring Women participation in the process 9 11. Best Practices of organising a Peace Conference 10 12. Relations Between Central Regions and Between them TFG 10 13. Table 1: Organisation, Ownership and Legal Structure of the 10 14. Peace Conference 10 15. Conclusion 11 16. Recap 11 16.1 Main Background Points 16.2 Recommendations 16.3 Expected Outcomes of a Peace Conference Main and Detailed Report Page 1. Common geography and History Background of Central Regions 13 1.1 Overview geographical and Environmental Situation 13 1.2 Common History and interdependence 14 1.3 Chronic Neglect of Central Regions 15 1.4 Correlation Between neglect and conflict 15 2. The Economic Situation 16 2 2.1 Economic drivers 16 2.2 Diaspora’s Economic and political Roles 16 2.3 Lack of Infrastructures 16 2.4 Migration, IDPS, and Poverty 17 2.5 Table 3: Galmudug Internal Migrants, IDPs and Refugees 17 3. Political, Administrative Governing Structures and Roles in Central Regions 18 3.1 Galmudug Regional State 18 3.2 Himan & Heb Regional Administration 19 3.3 Galgadud Regional Authority 20 3.4 Hiran Regional Authority 21 4. Urban Society and Clan Dynamics 22 4.1 Displacement of Urban Middle Classes 22 4.2 Traditional Population in Cities. 23 4.3 Clan and Religious Patronage Power and Influence 23 4.4 Religious Leaders’ Important Peace Role in Society 24 4.5 Clan Structures, Institutions and Governance 24 4.6 Diagrams of structures of clans and sub-clans in Central Regions 25 5. Impact of Piracy on the Economic, Social and Security Issues 26 5.1 Background 26 5.2 Different Narratives about Piracy 26 5.3 Piracy Hubs of Harardheere, Gara’ad, Hobyo and El-Huur 27 5.4 Dangerous alliance in Piracy Between Pirates and Al-Shabab 27 5.5 Peaceful Coexistence in Adado 27 5.6 Anti-piracy Measures Decline of Piracy Activity at Hobyo 28 5.7 Impact of Piracy on the Regional Economy and Social Values 29 5.8 Solution for Piracy 6. Identification of Possibility Peace Seeking Stakeholders in Central Regions 29 7. Identification of Peace Stakeholders and their Consent for Join-Together 30 Peace Initiative 8. How Conflicts Resolved and Peace Built Between People Living Together 37 According to Stakeholders? 8.1 Mudug Region Peace Agreement 1993 38 8.2 Partial Peace Agreement between Sa’ad and Saleban Sub-clans 40 8.3 2003 Peace agreement between Reer Ayaanle and Qubays 41 8.4 Peace Agreement between two Lineages of Sheikhal clan Peace and 41 8.5 Institution-building, development and stability bottom-up approach 41 8.6 Unresolved Conflict Between Reer Nabaale Saleban Abdalla Sub-clans 42 8.7 Unresolved Border Conflict Galmudug and Puntland in Godod and Ga’mafale Area 43 8.8 Threat posed by Al-Shabab 43 9. What Causes Conflict Both Locally and Regional/Central? 44 9.1 What causes conflict at local level? 44 9.2 What causes conflict at regional level? 44 9.3 What causes conflict at central level? 44 3 10. Best Practices of Ensuring Women Participation in the Process? 45 11. Best Practices of Organising a Peace Conference? 46 12. Relations Between Central Regions and Between them TFG 47 12.1 Strained and Tenuous Relations between the Central Regions 47 12.2 Minimal Relations between Central Regions and TFG 48 13. Table 3: Phase 1: Organisational Ownership and Legal Structure of the 48 Peace Conference 14 Conclusion 48 15 Recap of Background Info, Recommendations, expected Outcomes and 49 Activities 15.1 Main Background Points 15.2 Recommendations 15.3 Expected Outcome of a Peace Conference 15.4 Activities to be undertaken 17. Appendix 1 : Lists of diverse stakeholders 52 18. Appendix 2: Terms Of Reference 61 List of Abbreviations ASWJ : Ahlu Sunnah wal Jaama’a (traditional religious Sufi sect) GNY : GSA, Norsom and YME GSA : General Service Agency NorSom : Norwegian Somalia Self Help Organisation, Norwegian based Diaspora Organisation Team : Norsom/Consultant or Norsom/GSA/Consultant TFG : Transitional Federal Government of Somalia YME : The Yme Foundation, Non Governmental Norwegian Organisation Acknowledgements: This assessment would be almost impossible to accomplishment in such a short time without the expertise insightful contribution made by Mr. Mohamed Elmi of Norsom and the vital logistical and technical support by GSA staff in Galmudug. The equally expert guiding ideas and contribution of Mr. Holje Haugsjaa of YME must be acknowledged too. 4 1. Introduction YME/NorSom/GSA which has been providing vital humanitarian and development programmes in water and sanitation services in above regions, has decided to explore the feasibility of supporting the target area in conflict resolution and peace-building as delivery of such essential services can hardly be sustained without firm basis of peace and stability. In pursuance of this, YME/NorSom sought the assistance of a consultant to help undertake a one month field, desk and participatory assessment work to identify the possibility of a Join-Together Peace Initiative by meeting and discussing the various peace stakeholders and institutions in the area and making sure their willingness, experience and capacity and to embrace this peace idea. In this connection, NorSom/Consultant Team went to the area and conducted one month work to marshal the necessary background information, identify the real stakeholders and ascertain their capacities and roles that they can play in the realisation of this noble idea of peace-building. In an extensive and intensive of field, desk and participatory assessment work the Team visited various locations and identified of a number of regional and local governing institutions and 21 socially diverse stakeholders comprising of 156 important traditional, religious, and civil society (women, educators, students and youth, business, NGOs,) leaders with whom they met, discussed and exchanged views on the matter. That is why this fact-finding mission was not only field and desk work but a also a participatory one. Finally, although is it a hugely challenging to conduct such demanding work as this in an environment where there are a number of constrains and lack of data recording system in this large area under scrutiny, the Team have successfully accomplished its tasks as set in the Terms of Reference. Thanks to the valuable support from and use of NorSom/GSA resources of facilities, social base, and experience and consultant’s knowledge in the area. The Team recommend some strategies of action and a project proposal in order to execute the envisaged Join-Together Peace and Reconciliation Action. In conclusion, this peace initiative is pertinent, immensely important, timely and feasible given the great need, desire, and willingness shown by the governing institutions and social stakeholders concerned and their pledge of support. Summary of Findings, Analysis and Assessment 2. Common History and geography Background of the Central Regions The section deals with their common geographical situation, history, interdependence, chronic neglect of socio-economic development in the target areas by successive central authorities and correlation between such neglect and conflict/poverty. This gives a brief picture about the geographical and economic situation state of undeveloped natural economy as livestock, fisheries and agriculture let alone oil and mineral resources of these regions and how the civil war conflict, piracy, and unprecedented successive droughts have severely affected the life of the population. Livestock export and import of various consumption goods through the long distance Bosaso seaport and remittances by the Diaspora are the modest economic drivers and there is lack of infrastructures like roads, seaports, and airports except the derelict long road which links south and north of the country and a small airport in Galkayo which is also in disrepair and lacks necessary 5 facilities. In addition, there are large numbers of IDPS whose their livestock have been wiped out by droughts and internal poor migrants from the southern regions. Consequently there is deep and widespread poverty. 3. Political, Administrative Governing Structures and Roles of Central Regions This Section examines the regional institutions in aspects of: a)governing Structures, b)legitimacy, c)legal framework, d)type of administration and powers, e)capacity of institutions, f)consultation with constituents, g) gender Inequality, h)human and material resources, i)accountability and transparency, k) attitude to and vision about system of national government, and l) delivery of basic public services. Most institutions have limited attributes of these governance bench marks and some Islamic militant authorities have not most of these institutional ingredients. 4. Urban Society and Clan Dynamics The section analyses the interaction, influence and balance between urban society and traditional rural one and how the values and influence of the former have diminished and gave way to the latter during the civil war period. It also briefly looks at the traditional clan customary and religious institutions and their roles, functions, and patronage clan power influence on governing institutions at all levels while the structures and names of clans in these regions are shown in diagrams.