JOWHAR (KAAB TV) – A significant milestone in the journey towards peace in Somalia was achieved on Thursday, August 15, 2024, with the signing of a formal peace agreement between the Abdalla Carone and Mohamed Muse clans in the Middle Shabelle region.
This agreement marks the end of a deadly conflict that has ravaged the region, leaving deep scars on the local communities.
The clan conflicts in Somalia have profoundly impacted the lives of its people, creating a cycle of destruction that has disrupted the social fabric of the country. These inter-clan battles, fueled by longstanding grievances, have led to the loss of countless lives, the displacement of entire communities, and the destruction of vital infrastructure.
The cumulative effect of these conflicts has crippled Somalia’s economy and left its people living in a state of perpetual fear and uncertainty. Trade, travel, and daily interactions have come to a grinding halt, while thousands of displaced individuals endure harsh living conditions with limited access to essential services like food, clean water, and healthcare.
The lack of sustained efforts to reconcile these feuding groups has perpetuated a cycle of violence that has stymied the country’s progress, destabilized peace efforts, and posed a severe threat to the very foundations of statehood and national unity.
One of the regions most affected by these conflicts is Middle Shabelle, where tensions between neighboring clans have simmered for years, occasionally erupting into deadly violence. This violence tragically claimed the lives of more than 25, also resulted in the destruction of homes and markets, the displacement of numerous families, and the disruption of local trade.
In July of last year, former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed took on the monumental task of resolving a particularly intense conflict that had flared up in the Cadalle and Raage Ceelle districts of Middle Shabelle.
Accompanied by Imam Daahir Mahamud and Ugaas Mahamud Ali Ugaas, two prominent traditional leaders from the Mudullood clan, President Sharif embarked on a peace mission to halt the bloodshed among his countrymen.
Upon arriving at the conflict zones, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed successfully negotiated a ceasefire, disbanded the warring militias, facilitated the return of displaced families, and initiated peace talks in the Burka Dirin area.
“We thank God for reaching this point. It has not been a simple task, but I want to thank everyone who contributed to ending this conflict.” He acknowledged the deep divisions the conflict had sown within communities and the hardships it had caused.
However, despite these initial successes, the situation remained precarious. Recognizing the need for a more robust security presence, President Sharif requested that the government deploy national forces to Middle Shabelle to apprehend armed militias responsible for targeted killings in the region. These forces played a crucial role in quelling conflicts in various areas, leading to the arrest of hundreds involved in orchestrating the violence.
The peace efforts at Burka Dirin continued for an arduous 13 months, during which President Sharif remained in Dirin—a remote area lacking basic services like electricity, communication, and clean water. His extended presence there underscored his deep commitment to peace and his determination to end the cycle of bloodshed that had plagued the region.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including political interference and attempts by Al-Shabaab to incite further violence, a breakthrough was finally achieved with the peace agreement between the Abdalla Carone and Mohamed Muse clans. This agreement has had a profound impact on the lives of local residents, offering a glimmer of hope for a more peaceful future.
At the conclusion of the peace talks, elders who had witnessed the devastation expressed the urgent need for peace and reflected on the destructive consequences of continued conflict through poetry.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed expressed his gratitude for the progress made, saying, “The killing of people and looting are the two serious crimes that led to this clan conflict. The armed men who commit these killings must be held accountable and stopped,” he added, calling for an end to rhetoric based on clan incitement.
The two leading clan elders of the Abgaal clans, Imam Daahir Mahamud and Ugaas Mahamud Ali Ugaas, issued a stern warning at the ceremony, declaring that any future conflicts between these clans would invoke the curse of tradition and the blood of the two animals sacrificed during the reconciliation process.
“We state that this is the end of the conflict. We want all sides to respect the peace agreement. From today, every person who commits revenge killings will be brought to the full force of the law,” said Imam Daahir.
Ugaas Mahamud echoed this sentiment, calling for unity against any further violence.
With the conflict between the Mohamed Muse and Abdalla Carone clans now resolved, efforts are set to begin this week to address the eight-year-long conflict between the Celi and Abdalla Carone clans and others.
President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has urged the reconciled clans to uphold peace and work towards coexistence, emphasizing that the future of Somalia depends on the willingness of its people to put aside their differences and build a unified, peaceful nation.