Building One District at the Time Somali peacebuilding from Bottom-up Approach

While much of Somalia is in state of crisis, residence of Bakool Region of South-west of Somalia has done what many regions across Somalia are envious of it. After months of reconciliation and power-sharing among clans, people of Bakool region went to the palls to vote for local and regional authorities including the governor, district commissioners and regional and district councilors. The region became the second region in Somalia to elect its officials through community-based participatory process; People of Bakool exercised what amounts to be a “democracy at grassroots level”.

The process was marked by transparency and a method of voting that young generation of Bakool region have never witnessed in their lifetime. New concepts such as formation of alliances, lobbying, democratic election campaign styles swept throughout the region.

Elder Ahmed Farow who witnessed the process said “when community is given opportunity to select and elect its official, it enhances their faith in the governing system”. The newly elected governor, Mohamed Abdi Moh'ed (Tall), - Former basketball star and member of the Somalia National Basketball team, speaking before the electorate said “the Bay and Bakool experience should be duplicated in other regions of the country” He added, “ local peace can only be sustain through direct participatory process of the local population.”

One of the most striking developments is the formation of alliances based on interest and principle rather than traditional clan-based alliances. Candidate used method of comprise, collaboration and building alliances based on interest. In an effort for the candidates to differentiate from one another, candidates adapted what they refer to party symbol. Candidate to win governorship, he/she needs to get the support of majority of district commissioners and deputies who often come from the oppose clans. Thus, making the clan loyalty insignificant in the election process. Candidates were required to demonstrate competence, loyalty and program platforms.

During the final leg of the election process, delegates and community representatives come together to Hudur district to witness the election of regional Governor. Few available motels in town were full in capacity, people slept in schools and other available venues. Candidates use all means available to sell their agenda, ideas and win hearts and minds of the council members, some candidates printed posters with their pictures in it while others invited folklore dancing groups to entertain the delegates in hope that he/she would be elected.

The elections were democratically contested. In most positions more than three candidates stood for election, making the process more genuine and appealing. At the end of the process the winners and the losers pledged their support and cooperation to each other.

There has not being a single interclan conflict since the election process. “We already see the benefit of the process, interclan conflict which has ravaged the region in the past is no longer an issue” Said, MP, Mohamed Hussien Afaraale.

“Somali's revival is mainly depend on the capacity of local communities to build viable local administration based on consensus and participation of the local population” said, Yusuf Moalim Amin, (Yusuf Baadiyoow) Regional Director of the Center for Research and Dialogue - Somalia (CRD). CRD has facilitated the Bay and Bakool District-based Peacebuilding process in partnership with United Nation Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

The Italian government has provided the financial assistance to the Somalia government through which this project was implemented. The Italian government has also promised to support the implementation of similar projects to other region of Somalia .

CRD has successfully mediated number of prolong interclan conflicts in several regions of Somalia including Central region, Hiiraan, Banadir and Lower Jubba region.