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Somaliland: A model of Community- Owned Peace and
Governance Building in the Horn.
A presentation to the second Reconstruction
strategies conference organised by the Somaliland Institute for
Practical Research and Training held in Hargeisa University
July 21st – 25,2000
Jama Mohamoud Omar, Programme Officer Life and Peace
Institute, Hargeisa Office, Somaliland.
BACKGROUND
At this era, after the cold war, which the Super powers
political and strategical interest of the Horn of Africa is reduced, and
they left with us all kinds of arms, which is beyond our culture to
control. So as result of this, the international interventions of
conflicts have taken a different dimension. New political phenomena of
failed states came into being. The new world order may has its challenges…
The United Nations peace making approaches and efforts,
which also include humanitarian component showed little progress on the
said above. The blue helmet forces are not acquainted and not trained for,
such interventions. Therefore, the conflicts of Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi,
Congo, Yugoslavia, has given us lesson to learn etc. Somalia alone was
absorbed an aid of about three billion dollars and there is no trace of
development. Someone is right to argue that the peace building diplomacy
in the international conflict management context, which has been designed
for conventional peace making, and mediation can’t work to averts
conflicts, in such a new tragedy of crumbled states…………
In that connection, I pray Allah, The Almighty, to
guide me to the right words in presenting the noble work done by the
Somaliland Elders and people, while dealing with their formidable post
civil war challenges. It was a traditional Grass-root Peace building based
on trust and confidence among communities. which I think they have come up
with an indigenous peace and governance building approaches, that made
Somaliland unique in the Horn of Africa. Apart of being a conflict
transformation mechanisms in Somaliland, this can be a lesson to include
in conflict resolution arena.
To enlighten the elders governing and peace building
art, I will start by questioning:
Who is an elder( Guurti)?
Elders "Guurti" can be defined as family,
clan, and community governing body comprising the elders at every social
unit of the communities; which are the legacy structure inherited from
their forefathers, based on nomadic democracy, that has its own procedures
and code of conduct. Their communal governing responsibilities are:
 | Nominating the different units of the population, head of the
nomadic encampment (reer), |
| Nominating the Akils in the diya paying structure |
| Crowning the Sultans, Garads, Ugases, etc. |
| Nominating delegates for conflict mediations. |
| Follow up of agreed upon matters |
| Maintaining the Islamic and cultural values. |
| Policing the public resources, like water wells, pasture in the best
utilization and sharing resources. |
The history of the elder’s traditional art of governance of
Somaliland have a good image of record in their traditional governing
system, which goes back to as early as the time Somaliland Communities
settled in this part of the world. In that connection, I will touch upon
here, the past records , when the foreigners came to this region of the
world as colonisers. At time the elders governing bodies of Somaliland
people, have reached agreements with the Turkish, the kadives of Egypt and
the British, which are well documented…
The traditional tools the elders use in their conflict solving.
| Traditional record of conflicts between the clans and how they have
been solved as well as the agreements (heer) reached, in spite of being
oral, are well recorded and recalled. |
| The Islamic Justice the sharia, and religious values are widely
practised; Islam is not only a religion, but also a culture. |
| Proverbs, poems and peace making skills are used to ease the tension.
They are also used as starters. The eloquent peace making speeches
related to previous conflicts and their impact are applied as lessons
learnt. |
| Ad hoc meetings are held whenever necessary, which are flexible, not
rigid; and no time and space (Shir dooceedyo) limits are
given, staying together for longer periods, are among the tools to take
the psychological barriers between the conflicting parties (cadho
walaal waa la bareeyaa) |
| Transparency, fairness, trust, and sincerity are also the tools for
the mutual trust and confident building. |
| Some of the elders are also spiritual leaders who have clairvoyance,
and are telepathic. People belief that in wrong doing, or not obeying
the elders may bring allah’s Anger ( Illaahay hadal gaf ah wuu
kaa yeedhsiiyaa kaamase tago) " abeesona dhul u eki
bay, kugu dishaa, Culimana dad u eki" |
| The elders are devoted to the peace making and conflict solving (ragganimo
dantaa moogi bay ku jirtaa.)
So they forget the personal interest for the sake of the public interest. |
| Counting on their own resources or their livestock to the peace
conference, which a sign to gauge the willingness of the conflicting
parts. Full participation of the process is a key for ownership. and a
grant for sustainability. |
| The proceedings of the reconciliation conference have to continue and
be secretive until final judgment and acceptable accords are reached. |
| Analysing the conflict carefully, by testing the two parts on how
things happened. |
| Acknowledgement of grievances of one party is a catalyst for the
submission to the other side (Walaalkaa haddii ay candhuuftaadu
gaadho gacantaadu ha gaadho),
and reach agreements based on
compromise and consensus. |
| The disobedient persons, who doesn’t respect on what has been agreed
upon is fined. If he again dis-obeys also alienated from the society or
clan insurances (Gar
diid waa Alla diid) |
Performance of Somaliland elders in Peacebuilding, and
Governance 1991- 1997.
When the Somaliland communities, of Hargeisa, Burao,
Berbera has been flushed out from their Homes, and indiscriminately
terrorised and killed by the carpet - bombardments of the brutal army of
Siad Barre, the elders took the lead in the refugee state, and become the
economic wing of the National Movement, by flourishing all kinds of funds
needed by the army of SNM.
After the collapse of the Somali Government in Jan.
1991, when the Somali society had fallen apart, at a time in which peace
and reconciliation was the most immediate need, Somaliland traditional
leaders, elders and religious personalities organized themselves to fill
the vacuum of central authority, and over ruled the situation.
They consequently started to initiate peace and
reconciliation process among the Somliland communities and therefore, in
less then two weeks after Siad Barre forces were ousted, they immediately
called for a peace conference at Berbera on Feb. 1991. The key community
members from villages, Districts, Regional clan delegates who has been
vested on legitimacy by their communities participated. That marked the
first steps in trust and confidence
of the communities. This seeded the sense of ownership
of the process of peace building ‘Haani gunbay ka tollantaa’
Reflecting back, on the events of that period of Feb.
1991, which was very different from now, in terms of scope and gravity of
the conflict, one could understand, that the Somaliland people were saved
from a major catastrophe by the voluntary and untiring efforts of the
elders ‘Guurti’. By this they gained the full support of the people,
by measuring their valuable voluntary peace work. "Ragga waa
arrin keen, iyo aqbal keen "
this doesn’t mean the elders solved all conflicts, as conflict
resolution is a process, the following are cited as key stones of the
performance of the Guurti in peace making efforts:
| Meeting of all clans of Somaliland in Feb. 1991 at Berbera, which
become, the first seed and catalyst for the re-emergence of
Somaliland. The importance of that meeting could be judged, by the
fact that the people, who were at that time supporting opposing
fronts, started reconciling among each other. Therefore, retribution
against the people whom had sided Siad Barre Regime during the civil
war, has not taken place. SNM which led the victorious struggle
kicking out the Somali regime force from Somaliland also has a good
credit in co-operating with the elders...... That Gesture is the main
Somaliland success, in forgetting the past, and piecing together their
war torn country. In the International context of conflict resolution
language Win- win Solution fits there. |
| This clearly demonstrates at a time, when the level of disunity
among Somaliland clans was high, because of the divide and rule of
Siad Barre, the community leaders, with out prior publicity worked in
convening a grass root conference on Feb. 1991 shows the diplomatic
skills of the Council of elders, and the culture of peace of the
Somaliland Communities. |
The outcome of Berbera meeting exceeded expectation.
All Somaliland clans who, few days before were ready to shoot and kill
each other before being shot at and being killed, resolved their
differences, and agreed to convene two subsequent meetings in which the
clans formerly adopted at Berbera meeting or resolutions. And many other
meetings, which took place in various regions of Somaliland largely,
attributed the elder’s abilities in reconciliation efforts.
The reconciliation of Somaliland clans as well as
improving inter clan confidence, enabled the convening of the Burao
meeting on 18th May, by which the decision to cede Somaliland
from Somalia or rather rebirth of Somaliland acquiring the status quo of
26th June 1960, and the mandate has been given to the SNM to
run the Government for two years, and draft a charter…. also clans not
represented in the SNM has been given enough portfolios in the new
Government.
The Elders Council challenged US and UN forces
intervening Somalia, if they interfere Somaliland internal affairs,
assuming it as part of Somalia or try to deploy any forces:
A press statement quote:
"The conditions, by which the International intervention in
Somalia is justified, are not existent in Somaliland, there is no famine,
and no humanitarian supplies needs to be escorted, also there is no armed
conflict. In that connection the country enjoys relative peace and
stability, and has its de’facto jurisdiction, and soviergnity. Any
pretext, to relate it to Somalia, will automatically prompt fierce
nationalistic reactions of the Somaliland communities without exception.
Somaliland elders belief that the International
intervention of this nature will be of a temporary effect, there is no
substitute to the Genuine efforts of the Somalia leaders to put their
difference aside and put their house in order, and bring an end to their
hostilities and evolve a society governed by the rule of the traditional
peace making and law, quoted from a press release
signed: by sheikh Ibrahim Sheikh Yussuf Sheikh Madar,
on 6th of December 1992"
The newly formed Government, was very quite, and couldn’t
succeed in collocating revenues to revive the administration…. the
elders were policing the communities in their own traditional governance,
in the whole of 1992, and organizing reconciliation conference all over,
the key ones were held in Erigabo, Buaro, Berbera, Beer, Ainabo, Lasanod,
and finally Sheikh, that led convening the Grand Borama conference at a
time the SNM Government mandate was due.
1. Borama conference of the Clan elders (Jan.-May,
1993):
The 150 Guurti official Delegates agreed upon the:
- The peaceful transfer of power from SNM to the newly appointed
government,
- Election of civilian President and Vice-President H.E Mohamed Hagi
Ibrahim Egal, and Vice president Abdirahman Aw Ali
- Adoption of a national peace charters intending to service as the
basis for Peace building and governance during the transition period
of two years.
2. National reconciliation and Governance conference
was convened in Hargeisa (Oct., 96 - March, 1997):
- Cessation of hostilities
- A new draft constitution,
- Addressed some of the grievances of the conflict of Hargeisa, and
Burao.
- Re-election of the Current President H.E Mohamed Hagi Ibraahim Egal
and Vice President, H.E Dahir Riyale Kahin,
- Consideration of Somaliland minority community rights, and their
representation of the two houses.
- Changing the former flag of Somaliland.
What made Somaliland Elders Peace building Initiatives
successful are:
| The first Conference of Feb. 1991 at Berbera, ended the hostilities,
which Said Bare had created among Somaliland clans. It had started to
heal a decade old wounds and surfaced a climate of reconciliation and
forgiveness. This was especially important to mend all the
people-to-people relation that had been so severely damaged. The SNM
victory also became for all. |
| SNM peaceful transfer of Power, at Borama, when their Government
mandate expired … A gesture in which Movements in Africa failed to
do so. |
| The British indirect rule was relatively decentralized colonial
governance, which utilized the traditional clan elders, as an
administrative instrument, has empowered, the already existing
governing roots of the elders. And that practice, remained in use,
since the Government of Somalia was hostile to them, and Somaliland
was ruled as annexed state. They were always turning on their own
administrative system of Governance. Lack of central authority was not
a new phenomena for them. |
| The Governments of Somaliland under the leadership of President
Mohamed Hagi Ibrahim Egal seeded the Administration structure, and the
law enforcement system, as well as revune generating has cropped up,
and now reached a sound level. |
| Somaliland business community, supported matters like currency
printing, and lending money resource to the Government at embryonic
stage to rotate the wheel of Governance. |
| Remittance sending by the Somaliland Diaspora estimated like 200
million dollars a year, demobilized a vast number of Militias, sending
support for their relatives to start small enterprises, like shops,
heavy truck, farms and even restocking camels, and sheep for the camel
boys who joined the fighting… to re-integrate them. |
| The demobilisation form of the clan militia, with their arms and
mechanised brigades, and heavy armours, absorbing into the Somaliland
forces numbering 25000 into the military, Police, and the Custodial
services, was also a main break through, which the Government and
elders council worked hard to achieve. Though to keep that large
number of army is costly burden to Somaliland government, it has no
other alternative to the government, but to hold the lion by the head
until major development assistance. |
Finally, after enlightening these achievements of
Somaliland community owned peace building and governance, I dare to say
that Somaliland is a model for that. And its experiences can be
generalised to be guidelines for grass-root peace building, reconciliation
and Governance for the other conflicted countries in the horn region.
Recommendation for peace and governance sustainability
of Somaliland
| The Traditional judicial system could play a limited role, in our
society which has dramatically changed during the past decades, and
the small arms possession of our communities is high. Over 70% of our
male population has light weapons at least one firearm per person.
Mechanism to control is highly needed, and that can be controlled by
strong law enforcement system. Community policing is also very
important endeavour in sustaining our hardly gained stability. |
| The Somaliland Government must put in force, a strong taxation
system, and do good social services for the country, transparency and
fair distribution of the national income, will encourage tax buyers.
60% of the both the direct and indirect taxes are not collected; a
good salary for the Government personnel will decrease corruption, and
the mis-use of the national income. |
| The Local NGOS empower themselves, to be mature enough to carry
developmental projects, and secure community funds to avoid the
dependency of International aid. The Institute for practical research
and training could take lead in that circles. |
| The International community agencies, working in Somaliland must
respect employing the Somaliland professional, instead of bringing
their staff from the neighbouring countries, including the junior
staff like accountants etc, to create job opportunities for the
Somaliland professionals. |
| The Grass-root governance that our people cultivated in a
decentralized manner, through traditional consensus and clan
representation, needs to bridged with Democratic Governance.
Somaliland Government has to invest efforts in putting constitution
under referendum. As well mass campaign of capacity building in
Governance, especially civic education, were Voter education, and
political literacy are the first.. |
| The transition of the traditional consensus elections which have
worked for us, liking these a real democratic election of one man one
vote is our challenge….. for the years to come |
| Civil society organization, working outside the governmental
institutions is to be created and be empowered, this new order of
society will be a good substitute of Clan allegiance. |
| Quality education in which local governments take care of right from
the village to the district school levels is very crucial to take note
of. We should always have in mind the nation that peace education,
youth and sports are prerequisite for culture of peace. |
Recommendations for this forum
| Since long-term development aid is beyond the mandate of the
International agencies accredited in Somaliland, a joint appeal of a
pledging conference for Somaliland be worked out by this forum, where
bye the development cooperation or funding agencies of states be
addressed. Many personalities in this conference can have a good
access if they endeavour. |
Finally, he who not thanks to people, doesn’t thank
to Allah, the International Community relief and Humanitarian assistance
is highly appreciated- especial thanks are due the to countries who lead
the humanitarian multilateral support.
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