TOGDHEER TRADITIONAL ELDERS CONVENE OVER THE SHORTCOMINGS OF TRADITIONAL MEDIATION PROCESSES

(Burao, Somaliland, February 20, 2010) The Academy's Burao Satellite Office facilitated a seminar for more than 25 traditional leaders and government officials from all over Togdheer region on Thursday, 12 February 2010, as part of measured efforts to consolidate and streamline the mediation of conflicts in the region.

Mr. Ali Egeh. Du'ale, Burao Satellite Office director, while explaining to the participants the objectives of the seminar said "50% of the inter-intra clan conflicts in Togdheer region show periodic recurrences; a fact that can directly be attributed to the lack of mediation mechanisms that handle matters in a comprehensive and coordinated manner."

The second factor, added Mr. Egeh, to the recurrence of conflicts is the absence of an enforcement mechanism in which the rule of law and government institutions-particularly the security forces and justice system-haven't assumed an effective role. Mr. Egeh Duale also highlighted the major flaws in the facilitation of mediation efforts-including the assembly of independent mediation teams; preparation of neutral venues; and, the follow up to the outcomes of concluded mediation efforts.

	Ali Abdilahi Muse, a traditional leader, speaking about personal experience.		Photogroup Tog-dheer Traditional Leaders attended the Meeting.		Sayid Jama Warsame, a traditional leader, presenting his views.

Speaking about the shortcomings of the mediation processes, Mr. Adan Haji Ismael, a traditional leader, said "traditional leaders do not receive the timely logistical support that is necessary for immediately initiating mediation efforts between two conflicting sides". As a result, the elder explained, many mediation efforts are initiated long after conflicts have escalated to violent proportions; at a point where conflicting sides have inflicted much harm to each other.

Many of the traditional leaders attending the seminar also underlined the crucial role the absence of proper documentation and recording of mediation agreements has had in the recurrence of conflicts.

As such, asserted Mr. Egeh, the identification and analysis of such shortcomings was exceptionally imperative to ongoing and future efforts in order to minimise the recurrence of violent conflicts in the region as well as overall in Somaliland. Mr. Egeh emphasised that the seminar was a first step to discussing and identifying solutions regarding the shortcomings with the intention to formalize remedial proceedings at every stage of future mediation processes.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the elders agreed to establish a "Conflict Emergency Preparedness Committee", which they hoped would be assisted by the both international and local agencies to set up its own office.

This seminar is part of series of workshops that will be held for Somaliland's traditional elders, members of civil society and government representatives with the intention of formulating a comprehensive and streamlined approach to conflict mediation in the country.

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