Country/entity

Somalia

Region

Africa (excl MENA)

Agreement name

Idale Peace Agreement between the Hubeer and Yantaar

Date

31 Dec 2006

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.

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Somali Civil War (1991 - )

Stage

Pre-negotiation/process

Conflict nature

Inter-group

Peace process

Somali Local Peace Processes

Parties

Hubeer sub-clan:
Ugaas Xasan Shure Maxamuud

Malaaq Aadan Salaad Nuur

Malaaq Miiris Xuseen Xasan

Malaaq Iftiin Cali Kuusanow

Xubin Madey Cabdi Jiirow

Xubin Sharma’arke Cabdi C/raxmaan

Xubin Shi Ibraahim Jibriil Caliyoow

Xubin Deerow Aadan Mursal

Xubin Madeey Xasan Cali Kuus

Xubin Kalar Maaney Cabdulle

Xubin Buukaay Cali Aaan

Xubin Armiye Sh C/qaadir

Xubin Sh Xuseen Sh Ibraahim

Xubin Cali Yorow Dhaahir


Yantaar sub-clan:

Malaaq [unintelligible] Maxamed Wardheere

Malaaq Madeey Cabdi Nuur

Malaaq Xasan Macalin

Malaaq C/rashiid Sh/Cabdi

Malaaq C/rashiid Sh/Maxamed

Malaaq Xuseen Aftiimo Buulle

[unintelligible] Arbow C/raxmaan

Axmed Ibraahin Cali

Mursal Maxamed Kulan

Macalin C/laahi Qalimow

[unintelligible] Cali Yuusuf

Sheekh Cusmaan Jawaareey

Ibraahim Mursal Cali

Shekh Xasan Cumar

Xaji Maxamed Cabdow

Third parties

-

Description

This 'agreement' involves two sets of signatures of elders 'pre-endorsing an agreement to be facilited by a national arbitration committee - so endorsing this as the process by which the local conflict would be resolved. The agreement was later reached.

Agreement document

SO_061231_Idale Peace Agreement between the Hubeer and Yantaar.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type

Formal structured process

Rationale

This is a pre-negotiation agreement that emerged as a result of the National Reconciliation Commission-led (NRC) peace initiative aimed at resolving the Idale conflict. The parties signed a full agreement about two weeks later (see Final Agreement from the National Reconciliation Commission-led Initiative, 15/01/2007). The NRC-led initiative was one of several attempts to end the conflict.

Is there a documented link to a national peace process?

No

Link to national process: articulated rationale

Despite the involvement of the National Reconciliation Commission-led (NRC), neither the agreement text nor limited background research suggests a link to the national-level peace process.

Name of Locale

Idale

Nature of Locale

City

GPS Lat/Long (DD)

2.711603, 43.341408

Participant type

Central state actor
Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder

Mediator, facilitator or similar

Mediator or similar referred to

Mediator (references)

Facilitators and mediators: National Reconciliation Committee; mediation committee; Malaqyo; and religious leaders (see reference Interpeace and Center for Research and Dialogue, 2008)

Type of mediator/facilitator/similar

Central state actor Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture)

No specific mention.

Grievance List

No specific mention.

Cattle rustling/banditry

No specific mention.

Social cover

No specific mention.