THE SEARCH FOR PEACE Somali Programme Community-based Peace Processes in South-Central Somalia This study is dedicated to the memory of Engineer Mohamed Hassan Kulmiye, peace activist killed in Belet Wein on 22 June 2008, and to his work in promoting peace and reconciliatio for the Somali people ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Community-based Peace Processes in South-Central Somalia Lead Researcher Prof. Ibrahim Ali Amber “Oker” Assistant Researcher Su’aad Ibrahim H. Habibullah Photographs: Yassin Salad Elmi, Suufi Mohamed Ahmed, Ali Mohamed Yusuf, Audio Visual Unit Map: Adapted from Mark Bradbury, 2008, James Currey Editor: Dr Pat Johnson, Interpeace This research study was made possible by the generous contributions of the interviewees, Working Group, peer reviewers, and colleagues at the Center for Research and Dialogue in sharing their unique experiences as well as historical documentation and photographs. The Search for Peace series Research Coordinator: Mark Bradbury, Rift Valley Institute Research Consultants: Professor Ken Menkhaus, Davidson College, USA Dr Justin Willis, the British Institute in Eastern Africa Andy Carl, Conciliation Resources Senior Research Advisor: Abdirahman Osman Raghe, Interpeace Series Coordinator & Editor: Dr Pat Johnson, Interpeace Series Sub-editor: Janet Oeverland, Interpeace Design and Layout: Cege Mwangi, Arcadia Associates The Center for Research and Dialogue Phone: (+252) 59 32497 or (+252) 1 858 666 Fax: (+252) 59 32355 Email: [email protected] www.crdsomalia.org This report was produced by Interpeace and the Center for Research and Dialogue and represents exclusively their own views. These views have not been adopted or in any way approved by the contributing donors and should not be relied upon as a statement of the contributing donors or their services. The contributing donors do not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this report, nor do they accept responsibility for any use made thereof.” The study is a draft chapter in a forthcoming publication representing the findings of the peace mapping study. 2 The Serch for Peace CONTENTS List of Acronyms ...................................................................................................................................... 5 Preface and Methodology for the peace mapping study .......................................................................... 6 Map of Somalia, 1991 ............................................................................................................................. 8 Overview of peace initiatives in south-central Somalia .............................................................................. 9 A brief history of the violent conflict in south-central Somalia since 1991 ............................................. 9 Local governance structures in south-central Somalia ....................................................................... 11 Traditional governance systems ................................................................................................. 12 The traditional conflict resolution process ................................................................................... 12 Impact of the civil war on traditional governance institutions ....................................................... 13 Mapping local peace initiatives .......................................................................................................... 14 Typology of the local peace initiatives in south-central Somalia .......................................................... 16 Levels of the local peace initiatives ............................................................................................. 16 Focus and nature of the local peace initiatives ............................................................................ 17 The diaspora and local peace initiatives...................................................................................... 19 Factors in the success or failure of local peace initiatives ............................................................ 19 Selection of case studies from south-central Somalia ........................................................................ 21 Simplified clan diagram for the Hawiye clan family ................................................................................. 22 Timelines of peace initiatives by region, 1991-2007 ........................................................................... 23 Inventories of peace initiatives by region, 1991-2007 ............................................................................. 31 A Case Study of the Idale Peace Process .............................................................................................. 48 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 48 Background ...................................................................................................................................... 48 Rahanweyn clan diagram ........................................................................................................... 50 Trends of conflict in Idale Village ................................................................................................. 51 Peace initiatives to resolve the Idale conflict ....................................................................................... 53 Preliminary peace initiatives ........................................................................................................ 53 The Elay-led peace initiative ....................................................................................................... 54 National Reconciliation Commission-led peace initiative ............................................................. 56 Analysis of the resolution of the Idale conflict ..................................................................................... 58 Conflict and peace dynamics ..................................................................................................... 58 Actors, management of the process, and quality of the mediation .............................................. 58 Funding of the process, ownership and legitimacy ..................................................................... 59 Quality of the peace accords, dissemination, follow-up and impact ............................................ 60 Conclusions ...................................................................................................................................... 65 The Hiran Council of Elders in Action - conflict resolution between the Jijeele and Gaalje’el clans .......... 67 Map of Hiran region ........................................................................................................................... 66 Background ...................................................................................................................................... 68 Trends of conflict between the Jijeele and Gaalje’el clans ........................................................... 68 The impact of the conflict ........................................................................................................... 68 The history of “green lines” in Belet Wein town .......................................................................... 70 The origins of the peace initiative ....................................................................................................... 72 The objectives of the peace initiative .......................................................................................... 72 Community-based Peace Processes in south-central Somalia 3 The actors and participants ........................................................................................................ 73 The mediation process ............................................................................................................... 73 The quality of the peace accord ................................................................................................. 75 Dissemination, follow-up and impact .......................................................................................... 75 Funding ...................................................................................................................................... 76 Analysis of the conflict resolution between the Jijeele and Gaalje’el clans .......................................... 77 Conflict and peace dynamics ..................................................................................................... 77 Key actors in the process and ownership ................................................................................... 78 Dealing with critical junctures in the process ............................................................................... 79 Funding ...................................................................................................................................... 79 Quality of the accord .................................................................................................................. 80 Dissemination and follow up ....................................................................................................... 80 Findings and conclusion .................................................................................................................... 81 The Mudug-Galgadud Peace Initiative between the Sa’ad and Saleman