Prof. Abdurahman Baadiyow[1]
On December 8, 2023, I was appointed Senior Adviser for Reconciliation for the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. This prestigious role follows my previous Senior Adviser for Constitutional Affairs, in which I have played a significant role. Reconciliation has been my dedicated focus since 1994, being the Chairman of the Somali Reconciliation Council (SRC), which played a pivotal role in establishing the early Somali civil society networks and conducting reconciliations in various regions of Somalia. The SRC played a vital role in the Somali Peace and Reconciliation Conference held in Djibouti in 2000. My new appointment reflects the president’s motto, “Soomaali Heshiis ah,” meaning realizing reconciliation among Somali people. In that sense, my main task is to develop concepts and strategies and to propose scenarios for realizing the presidential vision of reconciliation. However, make no mistakes; the implementation of reconciliation is not included in my prerogatives; it is the responsibility of the ministries of interiors at national and federal state levels.
Throughout my three decades of studying and actively participating in reconciliation efforts, a profound realization emerged regarding the pervasive misunderstanding surrounding the nature of conflict and the imperative need for reconciliation among the Somali political elites and the broader public. Over the years, my extensive involvement in this field has afforded me a deep insight into the complexities of the issues at hand. The significant gap in comprehending the true nature of conflicts and the nuanced requirements for genuine reconciliation among the political elites became evident.
At the core of the challenges facing Somalia is a fundamental misinterpretation of the underlying causes of the conflict that ultimately led to the devastating civil war and the subsequent collapse of the state in 1991. Regrettably, Somali political elites have perpetuated a narrative that characterizes the conflict as primarily rooted in clan rivalry, obscuring that it is, and continues to be, a conflict among the political elite vying for power, privileges, and prestige. The persistent portrayal of the conflict as clan-based has hindered the formulation of effective strategies for resolution and genuine reconciliation. Thus, it is crucial to unravel this misconception and bring attention to the true nature of the conflict—a competition for political power, privileges, and prestige among the political elite. Top of Form
The mischaracterization of the conflict as clan-based not only perpetuated a distorted narrative but also fostered an environment where perpetrators enjoyed impunity and the privilege of wealth accumulation and power. Viewing the conflicts through a clan-centric lens often led to the assumption that the responsibility for the actions of a few individuals extended collectively to the entire clan, thereby diluting individual accountability. This misconstruction allowed those responsible for egregious acts to evade justice, as the focus shifted towards generalized blame rather than holding specific individuals accountable for their actions. Furthermore, this interpretation had severe consequences for the rights of victims. In the pursuit of resolving conflicts framed within a clan paradigm, victims’ rights and grievances were frequently sidelined. The emphasis on collective responsibility overshadowed the need for justice on a personal level, undermining the rights of those who had suffered the most during the tumultuous times.
Adding another layer to the issue, reconciliation conferences, which ostensibly aimed at resolving conflicts, often transformed into mere power-sharing arrangements among the political elite. Instead of addressing the root causes and injustices, these conferences served the interests of political factions, reinforcing existing power structures without genuinely addressing the people’s grievances. To pave the way for genuine reconciliation and sustainable peace, it is imperative to challenge and rectify these misconceptions, placing a renewed focus on individual accountability and victims’ rights and addressing the actual power dynamics underlying the conflicts.
Crafting a comprehensive framework for reconciliation in Somalia is necessary, as no universal formula can be applied to heal the multifaceted wounds of a society grappling with the aftermath of conflicts. The Council of Ministers approved the National Reconciliation Framework (NRF) in 2019, but it has not been implemented yet. Addressing the complex layers of pain and trauma necessitates a tailored approach that recognizes the unique circumstances surrounding each conflict. In pursuing sustainable peace, it is imperative to shed light on the painful historical events perpetrated by individuals or groups and collectively confront the harsh realities of the past. Acknowledging the injustices inflicted upon victims becomes a cornerstone for fostering understanding and empathy, laying the groundwork for a society to transcend the scars of its history collectively.
In the Somali context, lessons of reconciliation could be learned from the prophets’ approach after conquering Mecca after eight years of the war between Muslims and non-Muslims headquartered in Mecca. Moreover, experiences from similar occurrences in other countries shed light on the possible approaches to Somali reconciliation. The journey toward reconciliation is not a quick fix; it is an enduring and gradual process that demands sustained effort over an extended period. A steadfast commitment to this process is essential, as it cultivates trust, restores broken relationships, and establishes a foundation for a harmonious and inclusive society. As time progresses, healing societal wounds becomes a shared responsibility, involving ongoing dialogue, education, and implementing policies that address the root causes of conflict.
In this context, it is imperative to delineate and delve into three distinct reconciliation categories within this domain, excluding conflicts created by Al-Shabaab to be addressed differently. Firstly, there is societal reconciliation, which pertains to the harmonization among clans arising from non-political conflicts. This type of reconciliation focuses on resolving disputes and fostering unity among various societal factions that may have experienced tensions unrelated to political dynamics. This form of reconciliation is familiar to the Somalis. It is routinely exercised by the clan elders with the support of the authorities even though, since the civil war, societal conflicts have become more complex. Secondly, there is a need for peaceful political conflict reconciliation, which addresses the need for resolution and understanding of political disagreements. This reconciliation seeks to establish peace and cooperation among opposing political entities, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and compromise to overcome interest-based conflicts and ideological differences. Lastly, the third category is to resolve political disputes that incite clan involvement and armed conflicts. This type of reconciliation is particularly challenging as it necessitates addressing the political disparities and tackling deep-seated clan animosity and conflicts that may have been motivated by the discord of the political elites belonging to different clans. An example of such disputes was the establishment of armed political factions that toppled the Somali state in 1991.
The first step of reconciliation is for political elites to foster harmony among them, which is necessary to restore a robust Somali state. However, the biggest challenge of such reconciliation is the accumulated elite political culture, which has destroyed the state and continues to reverberate in the political elites’ minds. See the paper on the Somali elite political culture. Resolving other conflicts depends on elite reconciliation and requires the engagement of state institutions capable of mitigating and addressing them comprehensively. Indeed, state institutions, equipped with the necessary mechanisms and capabilities, become instrumental in managing and resolving conflicts at various levels following the approved National Reconciliation Framework guidelines.
Dr. Abdurahman Baadiyow
Email: [email protected]
[1] A Senior Reconciliation Advisor for the Somali President and a chairman of the Board of Trustees, at Mogadishu University
We welcome the submission of all articles for possible publication on WardheerNews.com. WardheerNews will only consider articles sent exclusively. Please email your article today . Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of WardheerNews.
WardheerNew’s tolerance platform is engaging with diversity of opinion, political ideology and self-expression. Tolerance is a necessary ingredient for creativity and civility.Tolerance fuels tenacity and audacity.
WardheerNews waxay tixgelin gaara siinaysaa maqaaladaha sida gaarka ah loogu soo diro ee aan lagu daabicin goobo kale. Maqaalkani wuxuu ka turjumayaa aragtida Qoraaga loomana fasiran karo tan WardheerNews.
Copyright © 2024 WardheerNews, All rights reserved
