The Contribution of Traditional Elders in Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding in Banadir Region, Somalia 1991 - 2016

Abstract

In Somalia, the phenomenon of conflicts has been persistent since the collapse of Siad Barre regime in 1991. Peace building initiatives by international, national and local actors have intervened at different levels to address these conflicts. Existing research into peace building and reconciliation has marginally discussed roles of traditional elders in the Banadir region of Somalia. This study examined the contribution of traditional elders in conflict resolution and peace building in the Banadir region, Somalia, 1991 - 2016. The main objectives of the study were to examine the role of elders in the reconciliation and mediation process in the Banadir region of Somalia, 1991 - to 2004, to discuss peace-building initiatives led by elders in the Banadir region, Somalia, 2005 - 2016, and finally, to assess the challenges faced by elders in conflict resolution and peace building in Banadir region of Somalia, 1991 - 2016. Mediation theory and conflict transformation theory were used to analyze and present data. The study used a descriptive research design. The target population of this research were; traditional elders, religious leaders, civil society leaders, youth and government officers. In this study, the respondents were chosen based on non-probability sampling procedure, notably purposive sampling. The study established that since 1991 traditional elders immensely contributed to peace building in Banadir region, Somalia. The study established that the greatest challenge traditional elders experience in peace building was the inability of the elders to enforce agreements reached during conflict reconciliation among groups who were in conflict. This study recommends that the federal government of Somalia develop and enact a policy and or legislative framework that provide enforcement mechanisms for peace building processes enacted by Traditional elders