Central Regions Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation Initiative in Somalia – Preparatory Phase

Finn Church Aid (FCA) is supported by the UK Government, from the Department for International Development with £457,095 for the facilitation of a process of reconciliation, dialogue, and conflict resolution within the clans of the central regions of Somalia.

Somalia’s central regions maintain a long history of inter-clan clashes, which have been exacerbated by the civil war, absence of a government, and limited availability of resources and livelihoods. The extended history of violent conflict within and between clans has resulted in a lack of trust that protracts cycles of conflict between Somali clans and sub-clans. A lack of attention to addressing and adequately resolving the root causes of conflict, while also establishing mechanisms for conflict prevention, has left the central regions of Somalia in what seems like perpetual conflict.

In accord with local partners, the Center for Research and Dialogue (CRD) and FCA is facilitating a process of community dialogue led by community elders and religious leaders in order to address internal clan issues. This is the first step in a process that builds to address inter-clan conflicts in the region and finally issues surrounding regional and district government formation.

Main outcomes:

• Clans identify and address outstanding internal issues within the clan between sub-clans and sub-sub-clans.
• Clans develop agreements on how to address and resolve future conflicts in a peaceful manner.
• Clans appoint a group of elders to represent them in future inter-clan negotiations and to head conflict prevention mechanisms.
• Clans identify external issues between themselves and other clans in the region.