Conflict Resolution Methods in Somaliland

Assignment: Conflict Resolution Methods

In Somaliland

Presented by: AbdiQadir Buureed

Conflict Resolution Methods In Somaliland 2

Since we know that conflict is in everywhere, it

exists inside and around us and every relationship

has its own conflict. It is natural and inevitable

part of all human social relationships. It occurs at

all levels of society -interpersonal, intragroup,

intergroup, intranational and international.

The parties in conflict believe they have

incompatible goals, and their aim is to neutralize,

gain advantage over, injure or destroy one

another.

However, in reality conflict is the root of personal

and social change. Hence, conflict prevents

stagnation and stimulates interest and curiosity.


In general Somalis are by tradition a nomadic

pastors engaging in continuous search for water-

wells and grazing land. So, Somali history is full

of inter-clan conflict over the possession of the

insufficient resources that the land, in great part

desert or semi-desert offers.


In Somaliland, the situation is not

different and with similarity to the

greater Somalis, conflicts arise from

issues related to basically from the

Somali aggressive behavior and the

sense of self-esteem, in addition to

disagreements in an endeavor of

competing for resources and power,

politicized clan identity, the

availability of weapons and the

presence of a large number of

unemployed youth have deteriorated

the problem.


In early time conflicts were based on:

livestock (Specially Camels)

Water & Pasture

Tribalism

Disputes over land access and ownership

Poetries irritating some clans (escalating into inter-

clan conflict)

Inheritance (Dhaxalka)


Nowadays major conflicts arise from issues

related to:

Politicized clan identity

Nonstandard court Justice system (Shariah, Penal

code, Traditional laws)

Misrepresentation of the constitution

Land

large number of unemployed youth


Historically, Somaliland traditional leaders settled these conflicts by using the widely accepted Somali traditional legal system (Xeer).

Their main approach was based on traditional conflict resolution methods that have been used to successfully resolve conflicts that resulted from the above issues.

The council of elders provided for open discussion with all parties and elders acted as mediators, so every party associated in the conflict was able to raise their main concerns that need to be addressed and solved.


The conflict resolution process begins with the selection of a group of elders called “Xeer-Beegti”, and then they were to prepare suitable position to meet, which was always under a Tree in order to analyze the issue further.

After all the parties and the council of elders gathered in the tree, before they commence to deal with the core issue, they entertain themselves with some proverbs, wisdoms (Murti), and talking about inter-clan relationships and some history about their ancestors.



Conflict

Dhur

Qudh Qoon

Dhaqan

Beer Bar

Magan Mooro

One of the most important aspect in the early Somaliland conflict resolution methods used was the concept of Recovery Marriage (Godob-Reeb); When there is a tribal or civil wars, always there are casualties—At that period revenge is common, so in order to avoid retaliation, tribes were exchanging ladies for marriage, or a lady is given to a person who suffer a casualty (death of his relatives), in order to solve the problem, and extinguish the hatred and malice, after that the tribes live peacefully, harmony without fearing each other.


At the current time, conflicts are resolved founded on: through the court system

or by the previous customary law

So, in one hand it is some way simplified since its in the government system, but on the other hand some people believe that the traditional way of solving the conflicts is better than the court system and that is why some cases are shifted by solving the conflict through the preference of customary law (Outside Agreement).


This conflict occurred in the Kalshaale area

which lies between Burco and Buuhoodle in

the eastern regions of Somaliland.

In this conflict, we will analyze by applying

the Stages of conflict tool. By recognizing

each of these 5 different stages:

1) Pre-conflict

2) Confrontation

3) Crisis

4) Outcome

5) Post conflict


Period where there is an incompatibility of goals

between two or more parties which could lead to

an open conflict

Characteristics “indicators” Tension between the conflicting parties

War of words

Hiding of arms

Arms trade


This stage is when the conflict becomes more open to the general view. There is occasional fighting and low levels of violence may break out.

Relationships are becoming very strained.

Indicators

Killing( occasional)

Raiding

Rape

Demonstrations

Increase in petty crimes

Occasionally fighting


This stage is the peak of the conflict. When

the tension or violence is most intense. This

is also called the period of war.

Characteristics Increasing killing, revenge Schools, hospitals closed Displacement increased Increased violence Emergency relief Closure of business Severe accusation against each other publicly Communications ceased


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This stage comes when the crisis ended.

One side of the conflicting parties may defeat the other or surrender.

Cease fire may be called of.

Parties may agree to the negotiating table with or without the help of a mediator.

Characteristics

Agreement

Mediation

Free movement

Re-opening schools and hospitals

Economic activities

Rehabilitation

reconciliation


This stage is when the situation is resolved in a way that leads to an ending of any violent confrontation, to a decrease in tensions and to more normal relationships between the parties.

If the situation(incompatible goals) is not resolved or addressed then it may lead back into another pre-conflict situation.

Characteristics Fund raising Return of illegal fire arms Inter-clan marriage Development activities Payment of blood money Community solutions


(WHY THE CONFLICT?)

The incompatibility of goals that causes the

problem in this case arises from sharing of

resources.

water wells

postaral areas

land alienation

In addition to some sort of tribalism.


One side has felt that the other side has gained

the control of the water wells and Barkads.

The ones who have control of these wells denied

any sharing with the ones who don’t have any

access to the resources.

The side who have lost the control or any access

to the resource (water well) begun occasional

attack to the other side.

The ones who have been attacked reacted and

begun their own attack to the ones who attacked

them or in other words make a revenge.

Each side prepared for a big fight and collected

weapons and arms.


The violence broke out at the festival day.

The occasional fighting changed into a face to face fierce fighting.

There were so many casualties in both sides.

Around 200 displaced.

Each side claimed that the other side is responsible for the evocation of situation.

Communication between the two sides completely stopped.

Any one tried to cross the border was going to be killed.

Social services like schools and hospitals were closed.


The Government along with the people

demolished the water wells.

There was an external force that forced the

sides to stop the fighting.

Somaliland government sent troops to the

area.

These troops settled the battle field.

This made the two fighting sides difficult to

launch any attack.


Peace table or the negotiation table was

called by the president of Somaliland.

Although the main issue that caused the

problem was eliminated. But there are still so

many minor issues to be addressed or

eliminated peacefully.

This means the problem was not solved

completely, and the victims may want to

make revenge again.

To avoid the issue to go further and lead back

into another pre-conflict situation, at this

stage conflict is to be eliminated.


Puntland Took part in the conflict by supporting in many ways

the Buuhoodle group.

Somaliland gov’t They were endeavoring to settle the conflict in what

ever way possible.

SSC They were in line with the Buuhoodle clan.

Diaspora Groups Engaged in the fund raising for SSC.

Religious leaders Call for peace in public.

Clan leaders Participated fully in the mediation efforts.


As a human, conflicts are our fact of life and it is part of our existence, but the reality is to make use of it since it can be healthy if it is a part of debate in the process of reaching solutions, similarly it needs to better understand and solve to the extent possible if it is unhealthy and people are challenging each other.

Clan leaders can serve as forces of division and conflict management by shaping identities that divide or unite. Clans are a potential source for reconciliation because of their ability to shape relations between groups.


In addition, Somalis put a high value on

literature, particularly poems. Using it will be

helpful in changing the people’s attitudes and

behaviors. Best example is in the following

poetry of ‘’ salaan carabay’’ for solving a

conflict between two clans prepared their

weapons to fight each other, his poetry solves

their conflicts:

Wada cawdu bilaysta oo

Waar tallow colka jooja


Moreover, it is important to realize and launch programmes promoting Islamic values such as tolerance, respect, care and empathy might produce positive results and play an important role in confidence-building measures in the elimination of the issues that are continuing sources of dispute.

Finally, monitoring conflict drivers is important because conflict is dynamic, and the factors that drive escalation and de-escalation of conflict will change over the coming years. So a set of sensitive and measurable indicators of change should be monitored periodically in a more systematic manner in order to provide a basis for comparisons and determination of trends.


Lessons learned are not necessarily lessons

implemented, but it is hoped that these

recommendations will be applied in efforts to

find a sustainable peace.


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Conflict Resolution Methods in Somaliland

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