Burco Activity Update

Activities of the » Academy's Burco Outpost in the Eastern regions of Somaliland include training, dialogue and de-escalation efforts.

In Erigavo (Sanaag Region), the Burco Office held a two day workshop about conflict management techniques. Participants included Erigavo councillors, police officers, traditional leaders, youth and women organizations. Another two day workshop on good governance was conducted in Ainabo District (Sool Region) for Ainabo district councillors and traditional leaders. The motto of the workshop was "Let us all work for a peaceful Ainabo".

Another aim of the Academy's Burco Outpost is to contribute to conflict resolution initiatives by facilitating dialogue. For example, on July 19, 2006, a young man with the support of his clansmen kidnapped another man and his pick-up car. The perpetrator and the victim were from two different sub-clans in the area. Such incidents if not properly handled can end up in clan clashes. The Governor of Burco, Mr. Abdi Huseen, immediately mobilized key traditional leaders, especially those of the kidnappers' clan. The objective of the elders was primarily to mediate between the government, represented by the Governor and the bandits behind the kidnapping.
APD Burco supported the resolution of this case by providing a car rent for the elders. In addition, APD staff have met the elders in the Academy's Burco premises to exchange ideas about the mediation process. The staff aired their views and their recommendations on how best to handle the volatile situation. Subsequently, the mediating elders left for Hufia, a mountainous area in the Golis Range, where the bandits were keeping the kidnapped man and his car. Two days later, the hostage and the pick-up car were released and the case was resolved peacefully, helped by the Academy's contribution.

In December 2005, the Academy's office in Burco, in cooperation with the Puntland Dialogue and Research Centre (PDRC), had facilitated an exchange of prisoners of war (POWs). Similar activities will continue.

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