Assignment: Conflict Resolution Methods In Somaliland

Presented by: AbdiQadir Buureed

Conflict Resolution Methods In Somaliland

 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.
Conflict Resolution Methods In Somaliland

 In

general Somalis are by tradition a nomadic pastors engaging in continuous search for waterwells 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.

Conflict Resolution Methods In Somaliland

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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.
Conflict Resolution Methods In Somaliland

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early time conflicts were based on:

livestock (Specially Camels) Water & Pasture Tribalism Disputes over land access and ownership Poetries irritating some clans (escalating into interclan conflict) Inheritance (Dhaxalka)

Conflict Resolution Methods In Somaliland

Conflict Resolution Methods In Somaliland

 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

Conflict Resolution Methods In Somaliland

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.
Conflict Resolution Methods In Somaliland

 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.
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Conflict

Dhur

Dhaqan

Qudh

Qoon

Beer

Bar

Magan
Conflict Resolution Methods In Somaliland

Mooro
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 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 casualtiesAt 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.
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 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).
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 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

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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

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 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
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 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
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 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
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 (WHY
The

THE CONFLICT?)

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.

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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 dont 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.

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 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.
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 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.

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Conflict Resolution Methods In Somaliland

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Conflict Resolution Methods In Somaliland

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 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.
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 Puntland

Took part in the conflict by supporting in many ways the Buuhoodle group.

Somaliland

govt

They were endeavoring to settle the conflict in what ever way possible.

SSC

They were in line with the Buuhoodle clan.

Diaspora Religious

Groups leaders

Engaged in the fund raising for SSC.

Call for peace in public.

Clan

leaders
Conflict Resolution Methods In Somaliland

Participated fully in the mediation efforts.

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Conflict Resolution Methods In Somaliland

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 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.
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Conflict Resolution Methods In Somaliland

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 In

addition, Somalis put a high value on literature, particularly poems. Using it will be helpful in changing the peoples 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

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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.

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 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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Questions & Answers