Performance of Somaliland Elders in Peace Building, and Governance 1991- 1997 When the Somaliland communities, of Hargeisa, Burao, Berbera has been flushed out from their Homes, and indiscriminately terrorized and killed by the carpet - bombardments of the brutal army regime, 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 Somaliland 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 confidenceof 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 doesnt 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 elders 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
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 16:36:33 +0000
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