CRD - Centre for research and dialogue - Focused on peace in Somalia

What has emerged in the present state of an “escalated violence” is a dangerous situation where combatants are not talking to each other and the deafening echoes of the blazing guns have obscured and silenced the voices of reason coming from the civil society groups promoting reconciliation and peace in Somalia.

In the past, a number of civil society groups, comprising of women’s groups, Somali diaspora, the business community, intellectuals, traditional elders, professional associations, academics, media and non-governmental organization were influential voices for the common good, conflict resolution and national reconciliation. Whenever these civic groups set out to bring about a positive, peaceful change such as halting the raging conflict, they have left positive footprints.

In fact, right after the Entebbe I Conference of March 11-13 2008, when over 150 Somali civil society leaders issued a call for the peaceful settling of the Somalia conflict, was when the Djibouti Peace process commenced and took on a new momentum. Similarly, in April of that year, the UN Security Council recognizing the indispensable role of the civil society actors, asked the lead organizer of Entebbe I to brief the Security Council on the peace and reconciliation vision of the civil society groups. Likewise, during the critical phase of the national reconciliation discussions in Djibouti (November 2008), member states of the Security Council traveled to Djibouti and conferred with the representatives from the civil society along with the warring Somali factions (which created the current version of the Transitional Federal Government, which has been called by some as the Government of National Unity).

It is also important to note that during the Djibouti Peace Process of 2008 the two warring Somali factions allocated 75 Members of Parliament for the civil society groups illustrates how even the warring Somali factions understood and appreciated the positive and pivotal role of the civil society groups. The fact that the MPs allotted for the civil society groups are yet to be sworn-in even though the rest of Parliamentarians are on duty since January 2009 illustrates how violent conflicts can eclipse or easily cast a shadow on the voices of the civic groups.

The prospect of peacebuilding and recovery, ultimately allowing for the reconstruction of Somalia, rests largely on civil society, which can be a catalyst for social, political and economic change. However, given the challenges to civil society in the current context and the erosion of its activities, a consequence of the conflict and threats, civil society risks losing its capability to play this critical role. But recently, it appears there may be positive opportunities opening up at both the national and international level. It is essential that civil society seizes these opportunities and engages strategically with nationally and internationally driven processes.