The Somaliland Peace Process refers to the series of grassroot initiatives that brought peace to Somaliland after the collapse of central government of Somalia.[1] In conjunction with the Somali National Movement, communities in Somaliland (formerly British Somaliland) negotiated a series of truces to end hostilities and address the grievances between the communities who were often on opposing sides to the Barre regime.[2]
As a result, this process acted as a key building block that led to the Borama grand reconciliation conference in 1993 allowing the transfer of rule from the SNM interim government to a new civilian administration paving way for democratic rule and stability.[2]
After it was clear that the collapse of the Siad Barre regime was imminent in early 1990, traditionals leaders of the Dhulbahante instigated contact with the Somali National Movement to call for a ceasefire. Talks continued amongst the parties in the Haud region of Ethiopia, whereby it was agreed that a conference would occur in the port town of Berbera between 15–21 February whereby all Northern clans would attend to arrange a preliminary ceasefire and reconciliation conference.[3][4][5] The city port city of Berbera was chosen as the location of the first peace conference as it was the largest town to have avoided destruction by Siyaad Barre’s regime.[2]
This conference called for the cessation of hostilities, for the promotion of peace and for the resumption of exchange of trade and socio-economic activities.[4] Representatives from the from the Issa, Gadabursi, Dhulbahante and Warsangeli and Isaaq clans took part.[2]
Non-reprisal policy of the SNM
A key accomplishment of the conference was the establishment of the SNM's policy of non-reprisal to non-Isaaq communities who fought alongside the Barre regime against the Isaaq.[6] As a result, promoting peaceful coexistence amongst the diverse the communities of Somaliland.[6] Moreover, this conference was followed by a meeting in April with Isaaq and non-Isaaq clan elders in Hargeisa, to make arrangements for a more formal congress with SNM representatives present.[6]
This initial conference established a formal ceasefire and resulted in the Guurti (Council of Elders) made up of Northern clan elders being delegated to take responsibility for further peacemaking initiatives, sponsored by the SNM.[4] Additionally, deciding on the time frame whereby a more extensive conference was to be held in Burao two months later.[4]
Burao 1991 (The Grand Brotherhood Conference of the Northern Clans)
Between 27 April and 18 May 1991, a conference was called in Burao of Northern clan leaders aimed at bringing peace to Northern Somalia.[7] Following extensive consultations between SNM leadership figures and clan representatives, it was agreed that Northern Somalia (formerly State of Somaliland) would revoke its voluntary union with the rest of Somalia to form the "Republic of Somaliland".[7]
May 5 resolution of the Burao grand conference. At the second national meeting on May 18, the SNM Central Committee, with the support of a meeting of elders representing the major clans in the Northern Regions, declared the restoration of the Republic of Somaliland in the territory of the former British Somaliland protectorate and formed a government for the self-declared state.
Although there were hopes amongst of Northern communities for succession as early as 1961, the SNM did not have a clear policy on this matter from the onset. However, any nationalistic objectives amongst SNM members and supporters was abruptly altered in light of the genocide experienced under the Barre regime.[8] As a result, strengthening the case for succession and reclamation of independence to the territory of State of Somaliland.[8] Garaad Cabdiqani Garaad Jama who led the Dhulbahante delegation was first to table the case for succession.[8]
As a result, in May 1991 an SNM Central Committee convened in Burco collectively agreed upon revoking its voluntary union with the Somali Democratic Republic.[9] Representatives from the Isaaq clan were in collective support of secession which was reinforced by the support the clan elders of the non-Isaaq clans who were present at the Burco conference[9]
The conference was concluded with formation of an interim administration whereby Abdirahman Ahmed Ali Tuur was elected to govern for a period of two years.[10][11]
Borama 1993 (Grand Conference of National Reconciliation)
In May 1993 the "Borama Conference" took place to elect a new president and Vice President.[12] The conference was attended by 150 elders from the Isaaq (88), Gadabursi (21), Dhulbahante (21), Warsengali (11) and Issa (9) communities and was endorsed by the SNM.[12] As a result, the conference granted the government of Somaliland local legitimacy beyond the realms of the Isaaq dominated SNM, especially since the town of Borama was predominantly inhabited by the Gadabursi.[12]
A wide range of topics were debated, whereby delegates agreed on a security framework and a national constitutional structure.[2] Therefore, leading to the formation of a bicameral parliament was to be formed consisting of the 150 voting members of the conference which were then split into an upper and lower house a system embodied in the national charter.[2]
This was a critical turning point whereby a peace charter was created to bolster security and formalise the authority of traditional local elders in all aspects of peacemaking.[13]
At this conference, the delegates agreed to establish an executive president and a bicameral legislature whereby Somaliland's second president Muhammad Haji Egal was elected.
Demobilisation Initiatives 1993
The Somaliland government sought unify SNM armed factions to ensure demobilisation and reintegration of ex-combatants into society.[14][15]
Hargeisa Peace Conference 1997
The 1997 peace conference that took place in Hargeisa was the last of a long series of reconciliation conferences that led to the establishment of the current administrative system in Somaliland.[16]
References
^"Somaliland: 21 years of peace". Peace Insight. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
^ abcdefAli, Mohamud Omar; Mohammed, Koss; Walls, Michael (2007-12-31). "Peace in Somaliland: An Indigenous Approach to State-building". Africa Portal. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
^Walls, Michael (2009). "The Emergence of a Somali State: Building Peace from Civil War in Somaliland". African Affairs. 108 (432): 371–389. doi:10.1093/afraf/adp019. ISSN 0001-9909. JSTOR 40388396.
^ abcd"Reconciliation, Peace-building And The Introduction Of The DDR Process In Somaliland" (PDF). Academy for Peace and Development. October 2004.
^Ismail, Edna Adan (2003). "Peace, Education, and Economic Development in Somaliland". Northeast African Studies. 10 (3): 275–279. doi:10.1353/nas.0.0025. ISSN 0740-9133. JSTOR 41931249. S2CID 143235351.
^ abcJhazbhay, I. (2009). "Somaliland: The Journey of Resistance, Reconciliation and Peace". African Safety Promotion: A Journal of Injury and Violence Prevention. 7 (1). doi:10.4314/asp.v7i1.54603. ISSN 1728-774X.
^ abPrunier, Gérard (2000-04-01). "Somalia re-invents itself". Le Monde diplomatique. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
^ abcIngiriis, Mohamed Haji (2016-04-01). The Suicidal State in Somalia: The Rise and Fall of the Siad Barre Regime, 1969–1991. UPA. ISBN978-0-7618-6720-3.
^ abRenders, Marleen (2012-01-20). Consider Somaliland: State-Building with Traditional Leaders and Institutions. BRILL. ISBN978-90-04-22254-0.
^ISSAfrica.org (2009-09-05). "The political development of Somaliland and its conflict with Puntland". ISS Africa. Retrieved 2020-08-01.
^"Somaliland: Democratisation and its Discontents". Crisis Group. 2003-07-28. Retrieved 2020-08-01.
^ abcLyons, Terrence; Samatar, Ahmed I. (2010-12-01). Somalia: State Collapse, Multilateral Intervention, and Strategies for Political Reconstruction. Brookings Institution Press. ISBN978-0-8157-2025-6.
^"Understanding Somalia and Somaliland | Hurst Publishers". HURST. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
^Bradbury, Mark (1997). Somaliland Country Report. CIIR. ISBN1-85287-187-3.
^"Small Arms in Somaliland: Their Role and Diffusion". www.bits.de. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
^"The search for peace: Somali-led peace processes from 1991 to 2007". Interpeace. 2009-04-30. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
March 09, 2023
somaliland, peace, process, refers, series, grassroot, initiatives, that, brought, peace, somaliland, after, collapse, central, government, somalia, conjunction, with, somali, national, movement, communities, somaliland, formerly, british, somaliland, negotiat. The Somaliland Peace Process refers to the series of grassroot initiatives that brought peace to Somaliland after the collapse of central government of Somalia 1 In conjunction with the Somali National Movement communities in Somaliland formerly British Somaliland negotiated a series of truces to end hostilities and address the grievances between the communities who were often on opposing sides to the Barre regime 2 As a result this process acted as a key building block that led to the Borama grand reconciliation conference in 1993 allowing the transfer of rule from the SNM interim government to a new civilian administration paving way for democratic rule and stability 2 Contents 1 The First Conference Berbera 1 1 Non reprisal policy of the SNM 2 Burao 1991 The Grand Brotherhood Conference of the Northern Clans 2 1 The Declaration of Independence 3 Borama 1993 Grand Conference of National Reconciliation 4 Demobilisation Initiatives 1993 5 Hargeisa Peace Conference 1997 6 ReferencesThe First Conference Berbera EditMain article Somaliland War of Independence After it was clear that the collapse of the Siad Barre regime was imminent in early 1990 traditionals leaders of the Dhulbahante instigated contact with the Somali National Movement to call for a ceasefire Talks continued amongst the parties in the Haud region of Ethiopia whereby it was agreed that a conference would occur in the port town of Berbera between 15 21 February whereby all Northern clans would attend to arrange a preliminary ceasefire and reconciliation conference 3 4 5 The city port city of Berbera was chosen as the location of the first peace conference as it was the largest town to have avoided destruction by Siyaad Barre s regime 2 This conference called for the cessation of hostilities for the promotion of peace and for the resumption of exchange of trade and socio economic activities 4 Representatives from the from the Issa Gadabursi Dhulbahante and Warsangeli and Isaaq clans took part 2 Non reprisal policy of the SNM Edit A key accomplishment of the conference was the establishment of the SNM s policy of non reprisal to non Isaaq communities who fought alongside the Barre regime against the Isaaq 6 As a result promoting peaceful coexistence amongst the diverse the communities of Somaliland 6 Moreover this conference was followed by a meeting in April with Isaaq and non Isaaq clan elders in Hargeisa to make arrangements for a more formal congress with SNM representatives present 6 This initial conference established a formal ceasefire and resulted in the Guurti Council of Elders made up of Northern clan elders being delegated to take responsibility for further peacemaking initiatives sponsored by the SNM 4 Additionally deciding on the time frame whereby a more extensive conference was to be held in Burao two months later 4 Sultan Farah of the Arap and Garaad Abdiqani of the Dhulbahante in Baligubadle during the Somaliland peace processBurao 1991 The Grand Brotherhood Conference of the Northern Clans EditBetween 27 April and 18 May 1991 a conference was called in Burao of Northern clan leaders aimed at bringing peace to Northern Somalia 7 Following extensive consultations between SNM leadership figures and clan representatives it was agreed that Northern Somalia formerly State of Somaliland would revoke its voluntary union with the rest of Somalia to form the Republic of Somaliland 7 The Declaration of Independence Edit Main article Somaliland Declaration of Independence May 5 resolution of the Burao grand conference At the second national meeting on May 18 the SNM Central Committee with the support of a meeting of elders representing the major clans in the Northern Regions declared the restoration of the Republic of Somaliland in the territory of the former British Somaliland protectorate and formed a government for the self declared state Although there were hopes amongst of Northern communities for succession as early as 1961 the SNM did not have a clear policy on this matter from the onset However any nationalistic objectives amongst SNM members and supporters was abruptly altered in light of the genocide experienced under the Barre regime 8 As a result strengthening the case for succession and reclamation of independence to the territory of State of Somaliland 8 Garaad Cabdiqani Garaad Jama who led the Dhulbahante delegation was first to table the case for succession 8 As a result in May 1991 an SNM Central Committee convened in Burco collectively agreed upon revoking its voluntary union with the Somali Democratic Republic 9 Representatives from the Isaaq clan were in collective support of secession which was reinforced by the support the clan elders of the non Isaaq clans who were present at the Burco conference 9 The conference was concluded with formation of an interim administration whereby Abdirahman Ahmed Ali Tuur was elected to govern for a period of two years 10 11 Borama 1993 Grand Conference of National Reconciliation EditIn May 1993 the Borama Conference took place to elect a new president and Vice President 12 The conference was attended by 150 elders from the Isaaq 88 Gadabursi 21 Dhulbahante 21 Warsengali 11 and Issa 9 communities and was endorsed by the SNM 12 As a result the conference granted the government of Somaliland local legitimacy beyond the realms of the Isaaq dominated SNM especially since the town of Borama was predominantly inhabited by the Gadabursi 12 A wide range of topics were debated whereby delegates agreed on a security framework and a national constitutional structure 2 Therefore leading to the formation of a bicameral parliament was to be formed consisting of the 150 voting members of the conference which were then split into an upper and lower house a system embodied in the national charter 2 This was a critical turning point whereby a peace charter was created to bolster security and formalise the authority of traditional local elders in all aspects of peacemaking 13 At this conference the delegates agreed to establish an executive president and a bicameral legislature whereby Somaliland s second president Muhammad Haji Egal was elected Demobilisation Initiatives 1993 EditThe Somaliland government sought unify SNM armed factions to ensure demobilisation and reintegration of ex combatants into society 14 15 Hargeisa Peace Conference 1997 EditThe 1997 peace conference that took place in Hargeisa was the last of a long series of reconciliation conferences that led to the establishment of the current administrative system in Somaliland 16 References Edit Somaliland 21 years of peace Peace Insight Retrieved 2020 08 27 a b c d e f Ali Mohamud Omar Mohammed Koss Walls Michael 2007 12 31 Peace in Somaliland An Indigenous Approach to State building Africa Portal Retrieved 2020 08 27 Walls Michael 2009 The Emergence of a Somali State Building Peace from Civil War in Somaliland African Affairs 108 432 371 389 doi 10 1093 afraf adp019 ISSN 0001 9909 JSTOR 40388396 a b c d Reconciliation Peace building And The Introduction Of The DDR Process In Somaliland PDF Academy for Peace and Development October 2004 Ismail Edna Adan 2003 Peace Education and Economic Development in Somaliland Northeast African Studies 10 3 275 279 doi 10 1353 nas 0 0025 ISSN 0740 9133 JSTOR 41931249 S2CID 143235351 a b c Jhazbhay I 2009 Somaliland The Journey of Resistance Reconciliation and Peace African Safety Promotion A Journal of Injury and Violence Prevention 7 1 doi 10 4314 asp v7i1 54603 ISSN 1728 774X a b Prunier Gerard 2000 04 01 Somalia re invents itself Le Monde diplomatique Retrieved 2020 11 01 a b c Ingiriis Mohamed Haji 2016 04 01 The Suicidal State in Somalia The Rise and Fall of the Siad Barre Regime 1969 1991 UPA ISBN 978 0 7618 6720 3 a b Renders Marleen 2012 01 20 Consider Somaliland State Building with Traditional Leaders and Institutions BRILL ISBN 978 90 04 22254 0 ISSAfrica org 2009 09 05 The political development of Somaliland and its conflict with Puntland ISS Africa Retrieved 2020 08 01 Somaliland Democratisation and its Discontents Crisis Group 2003 07 28 Retrieved 2020 08 01 a b c Lyons Terrence Samatar Ahmed I 2010 12 01 Somalia State Collapse Multilateral Intervention and Strategies for Political Reconstruction Brookings Institution Press ISBN 978 0 8157 2025 6 Understanding Somalia and Somaliland Hurst Publishers HURST Retrieved 2021 12 30 Bradbury Mark 1997 Somaliland Country Report CIIR ISBN 1 85287 187 3 Small Arms in Somaliland Their Role and Diffusion www bits de Retrieved 2021 10 20 The search for peace Somali led peace processes from 1991 to 2007 Interpeace 2009 04 30 Retrieved 2021 10 20 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Somaliland Peace Process amp oldid 1136196484, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
