Decisions by the Elders Chairing the Burtinle Conference

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Country/entity: Ethiopia
Somalia
Ogaden
Puntland
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Decisions by the Elders Chairing the Burtinle Conference
Date: 7 May 2007
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/local conflict
Somali Civil War (1991 - )
Originally spurred by centre-peripheral tensions, fighting broke out in 1981 between the regime of President Said Barre and the Somali National Movement, a militia primarily consisting of members from the northern Ishaq clan. Fighting intensified in the late 1980s as more clan-based militias arose. President Barre’s regime collapsed in late 1991 and as a result the UN intervened. However persistent attacks on the UN’s forces forced a withdrawal in 1994. From the mid- to late 1990s, the character of the conflict shifted as warlords fought for access to rents. Also during this period, two different peace agreements arose; the Sodere Declaration, which was mediated by Ethiopia and supported by IGAD, and the Cairo Accord, which was brokered by Egypt. Fighting, already noticeably lessened compared to the early 1990s, decreased and the more amicable environment paved the way for the Transitional Government to be formed in 2000 (replaced in 2004 by the Transitional Federal Government).

Nonetheless, opposition to the TFG arose in the form of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), which by early 2006 had taken control of most of southern Somalia until they were ousted by an armed intervention by Ethiopia in December 2006. As a result, the ICU splintered. Hard-line ICU members formed the Takfiri organization, Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen, and launched a guerrilla campaign against the TFG. Another faction of the ICU fled to Djibouti and formed the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia, which was absorbed into the ruling TFG after successful negotiations in 2007.

To deal with the new round of fighting, the UN-mandated AMISOM force was deployed in 2007. Since then, insecurity has fluctuated between the urban and rural areas as the al-Shabaab's territorial gains waver. Local militia leaders maintain de facto governance over communities. From 2009 to 2012, insecurity spilled over into the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean when Somali pirates seized, looted and ransomed ships. In 2014, 'Operation Indian Ocean' was launched and in parallel with infighting among al-Shabaab, the organisation's position in Somalia has diminished slightly. However, as evidenced by large-scale attacks by al-Shabaab in northern Kenya throughout 2013-2015, the lack of security continues to destabilize the region. Al-Shabaab continues to launch surprise attacks with the aim of forcing out foreign military presence in Somalia. Targets include both military forces and civilians. The devastating attack in October 2017 in Mogadishu saw 587 fatalities and resulted in a renewed military offensive by the Somali government and African Union allies. Since 2017, the U.S. has increased its air strikes targeting al-Shabaab militants, and in December 2018 they announced to re-establish a permanent diplomatic mission in the country. Al-Shabaab has been characterized as a spoiler in the Somali peace process and have therefore been placed outside of any negotiations.
Stage: Framework/substantive - comprehensive
Conflict nature: Inter-group
Peace process: Somali Local Peace Processes
Parties: Islan Iise
Islan Mohamed
Islan Bashir
Islan Abdulle
Garad Abdullahi
Garad Sofe
Ugas Abdullahi Iise
Garad Abshir Salah
Garad Mahamoud Osman Mashqare
Garad Saleban Burale
Ugas Farah Mahamoud Ali

Bah Ararsame Committee
1. Aw-Daahir Haji Hassan Abdille
2. Abdirahman Mohamed Ali
3. Mohamud Abdi Haabsade
4. Yusuf Haji Mohamud Ali
5. Abdirahman Saleeban Mursal
6. Abdullahi Hassan Ali
7. Jama Yacqub Osman
8. Mohamud Guure Ali
9. Haji Mahad Haji Yusuf aw-Abdi
10. Ali Abdi Galayr
11. Abdi Aden Ali
12. Ali Mohamed Kaarshe
13. Ahmed Mohamed [Dheganalow]
14. Ibrahim Bulhan Mohamed
15. Mohamed Abdulqadir Ileeye
16. Mohamed Ahmed Dheere
17. Mohamud Ahmed Ibyan

Omar Mohamud Committee
1. Abdullahi Hasan Baalee
2. Nuur Mohamed Ahmed ‘Sandheere’ 3. Abdirashid Ahmed Jama
4. Abdullahi Kooreeye Elmi
5. Abdi Budeeye Hassan
6. Jama Omar Dhagad
7. Mohamed Hassan Samatar
8. Abdul Dalmar Ali
9. Jama Bihi Nuur
10. Isse Haji Jama
11. Mohamud Abdi Daahir
12. Muuse Haaji Jama
13. Mohamud Khalif Hersi
14. Osman Ahmed Omar
15. Mohamud Isse Ahmed
16. Bashir Mohamud Dalmar
17. Ahmed Osman Warsame
Third parties: The mediation committee
1. Dahir Mohamed Farah-Sanwaylod (chairman)
2. Aqil Mohamoud Haji Omar (vice- chairman)
3. Nabadon Kaliif Aw Ali
4. Nabadon Abdulahi Jama Areef
5. Nabadon Abdiasiis Jama Warsame
6. Abas Ali Dhere
7. Mohomed Abshir Nur
8. Ali Yusuf Ali Hoosh
9. Amiir Jama Mohamed Mire
10. Yusuf Jama Alas
11. Dalmar Haji Mohamoud
12. Haji Ahmed Adan Haad
13. Bihi Hirsi Farah
14. Ibrahim Abade Burale
15. Awil Ismail
16. Ahmed Barre Siad Muse (secretary)

The witnessing Elders
1. Ugaas Hassan Ugaas Yaasiin
2. Ugaas Abdullaahi Ugaas Soofe
3. Garaad Abdullahi Ali Ciid
4. Garaad Abdisalam Hassan
5. Suldan Said Mohamed Garaase
6. Suldan Abdisalan Suldan Mohamed 7. Suldan Bashir Muuse Keente
8. Ugaas Faradh Haji Mohamud
9. Ugaas Omar Geelle Mohamed
10. Suldan Ali Ismail

Page 2,

Representatives of the authorities
1. Abdirizaq Yasin Abdille ‘Geessod’ Puntland Minister of Justice and Religious Affairs
2. Abdirahman Jama Boorre [Mayor of Laas ‘Aanood ]
3. Hussein Guuled Hanaf [Mayor of Burtinle]
4. Bedel Khalaf Jaama [representative of Federal Government of Ethiopia, Bookh District]
Description: Local agreement between the Ba Ahararsame and Omar Mohamoud in regards to water resources that provides for land to be shared, relocation of forces, communication of the terms of the agreement by Elders to their respective communities and for all water catchments and reservoirs to be demolished.

Agreement document: SO_070507_Decisions by the Elders Chairing the Burtinle Conference.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: [Summary] Involves the Bah Arasame and Omar Mahamoud Communities.
Traditional/religious leaders: Page 1, 7. The elders of Puntland and the mediation committee jointly monitor the implementation of the agreement.

Page 2,
The witnessing Elders
1. Ugaas Hassan Ugaas Yaasiin
2. Ugaas Abdullaahi Ugaas Soofe
3. Garaad Abdullahi Ali Ciid
4. Garaad Abdisalam Hassan
5. Suldan Said Mohamed Garaase
6. Suldan Abdisalan Suldan Mohamed 7. Suldan Bashir Muuse Keente
8. Ugaas Faradh Haji Mohamud
9. Ugaas Omar Geelle Mohamed
10. Suldan Ali Ismail
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Other
Page 1, 5. Intellectuals from both communities communicate the signed peace agreement to their communities in the conflict area
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: Land, property and environment→Land reform/rights→Other land rights
Page 1, 3. The land be shared among all with no one not able to claim it particularly as their own
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: Page 1,
- Considering how important it is to bring a lasting peace between the related communities and how imperative it is to protect the environment from deforestation and erosion.
Water or riparian rights or access: Page 1,
2. The Puntland government settles all expenses charged regarding the water reservoir and water catchments to be demolished

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→Demilitarisation provisions
Page 1, 6. Relocation of the forces should happen as soon as possible
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: Page 1, 7. The elders of Puntland and the mediation committee jointly monitor the implementation of the agreement
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Source: Hassan Adan Mohamed and Amina Abdulkadir M. Nur, The Puntland Experience: A Bottom-up Approach to Peace and State Building - Peace Initiatives in Puntland 1991-2007 (ed.) Pat Johnson (Garowe, Puntland, Somalia: Interpeace, 2008), p. 89-90

Decisions by the Elders Chairing the Burtinle Conference, 7 May 2007

To: Ba Ahararsame committee

To: Omar Mohamoud communities

To: Puntland government

Cc: Communities in Sool, Eyn, Mudug and Nugaal

Subject:

Elders Decisions

- Having seen the decisions by the committee mediating the Bahar arsame and Omar Mohamoud communities and submission of both sides

- Having seen the good will of the two sides by accepting the decisions

- Considering how important it is to bring a lasting peace between the related communities and how imperative it is to protect the environment from deforestation and erosion.

We have decided that:

The verdict reached by the mediation committee be duly implemented

The Puntland government settles all expenses charged regarding the water reservoir and water catchments to be demolished

The land be shared among all with no one not able to claim it particularly as their own

To proactively prevent anything that may cause problems or reignite previous conflict

Intellectuals from both communities communicate the signed peace agreement to their communities in the conflict area

Relocation of the forces should happen as soon as possible

The elders of Puntland and the mediation committee jointly monitor the implementation of the agreement

Conclusion:

We compliment all the intellectuals who participated in the creation of peace and harmony among the communities.

Islan Iise

Islan Mohamed

Islan Bashir

Islan Abdulle

Garad Abdullahi

Garad Sofe

Ugas Abdullahi Iise

Garad Abshir Salah

Garad Mahamoud Osman Mashqare Garad Saleban Burale

Ugas Farah Mahamoud Ali

The mediation committee

1. Dahir Mohamed Farah-Sanwaylod (chairman)

2. Aqil Mohamoud Haji Omar (vice- chairman)

3. Nabadon Kaliif Aw Ali

4. Nabadon Abdulahi Jama Areef

5. Nabadon Abdiasiis Jama Warsame

6. Abas Ali Dhere

7. Mohomed Abshir Nur

8. Ali Yusuf Ali Hoosh

9. Amiir Jama Mohamed Mire

10. Yusuf Jama Alas

11. Dalmar Haji Mohamoud

12. Haji Ahmed Adan Haad 13.

Bihi Hirsi Farah

14. Ibrahim Abade Burale

15. Awil Ismail

16. Ahmed Barre Siad Muse (secretary)

The witnessing Elders

1. Ugaas Hassan Ugaas Yaasiin

2. Ugaas Abdullaahi Ugaas Soofe

3. Garaad Abdullahi Ali Ciid

4. Garaad Abdisalam Hassan

5. Suldan Said Mohamed Garaase

6. Suldan Abdisalan Suldan Mohamed 7.

Suldan Bashir Muuse Keente

8. Ugaas Faradh Haji Mohamud

9. Ugaas Omar Geelle Mohamed

10. Suldan Ali Ismail

Representatives of the authorities

1. Abdirizaq Yasin Abdille ‘Geessod’ Puntland

Minister of Justice and Religious Affairs 2.

Abdirahman Jama Boorre [Mayor of Laas ‘Aanood ]

3. Hussein Guuled Hanaf [Mayor of Burtinle]

4. Bedel Khalaf Jaama [representative of Federal Government of Ethiopia, Bookh District]

Bah Ararsame Committee

1. Aw-Daahir Haji Hassan Abdille

2. Abdirahman Mohamed Ali

3. Mohamud Abdi Haabsade

4. Yusuf Haji Mohamud Ali

5. Abdirahman Saleeban Mursal

6. Abdullahi Hassan Ali

7. Jama Yacqub Osman

8. Mohamud Guure Ali

9. Haji Mahad Haji Yusuf aw-Abdi

10. Ali Abdi Galayr

11. Abdi Aden Ali

12. Ali Mohamed Kaarshe

13. Ahmed Mohamed [Dheganalow]

14. Ibrahim Bulhan Mohamed

15. Mohamed Abdulqadir Ileeye

16. Mohamed Ahmed Dheere

17. Mohamud Ahmed Ibyan

Omar Mohamud Committee

1. Abdullahi Hasan Baalee

2. Nuur Mohamed Ahmed ‘Sandheere’

3. Abdirashid Ahmed Jama

4. Abdullahi Kooreeye Elmi

5. Abdi Budeeye Hassan

6. Jama Omar Dhagad

7. Mohamed Hassan Samatar

8. Abdul Dalmar Ali

9. Jama Bihi Nuur

10. Isse Haji Jama

11. Mohamud Abdi Daahir

12. Muuse Haaji Jama

13. Mohamud Khalif Hersi

14. Osman Ahmed Omar

15. Mohamud Isse Ahmed

16. Bashir Mohamud Dalmar

17. Ahmed Osman Warsame