SUMMARY
Unlike other multiethnic countries in the Sub-Saharan African context, the Somali society is characterized by a vast system of clans. Most of the population belongs to one of the five overarching clan families namely the Darod, the Isaaq, the Hawiye, the Dir, and the Rahanweyn (also known as Rewin or Digil-Mirifle). Each clan family is further divided into sub-clans and in some cases into sub-sub-clans. The origins of the clans are shared and each clan is related to the others, yet there are differences in terms of culture, tradition, and the form of life.
Up until independence in 1960, the Somali society was organized according to the clan system and each clan had a leader and a council of elders. These leaders played a major role in daily life and especially in intertribal relations. The council of elders was responsible for maintaining peace and harmony amongst the Somali people. Weakened clans were, for example, to be protected and were at times integrated into stronger clans in order to assure its survival. When inter-clan conflicts did occur, rules of conduct were agreed upon; such as caring for the injured or the treatment of prisoners.
During the post-independence era, traditional structures were replaced by modern governmental and judicial institutions hence removing the power once given to the clan leader and the council of the elders. As a result, relations between clans continuously deteriorated, which in turn also resulted in a stronger sense of affiliation to one’s own clan. This process contributed to, and was further strengthened by, the outbreak of the intra-state conflict in Somalia which began at the end of 1982. Clan-related conflicts continued to fuel non-state conflicts in Somalia.
The Dabare subclan and the Luway subclan both belong to the larger Digil-Mirifle clan (sometimes referred to also as the Rahanweyn) and both inhabit the Bay region and other areas of south-western Somalia. Though being of the same larger clan group they have entered into non-state conflict against each other.
The two sub-clans have no apparent historical conflict of any larger magnitude, but the chaotic environment that has characterized Somalia since 1991 has put great strain on the Digil-Mirifle clan. Tides of refugees fleeing fighting in more northern parts of Somalia and a redrawing of lines of territorial control, due to a shifting balance of power on both the national and regional scene, have often brought former allies into conflict.
The reasons for the outbreak of hostilities between the two clans in 2004 are disputed. The exact trigger remains unknown, but initial reports imply that fighting erupted over a dispute regarding farmland and grazing rights. Later reports, however, also state that the underlying issue was one of control over the Dinsoor (in Bay Region) district council. Territorial control in Somalia sometimes stems in part from power over local councils, control over which in turn translates into wider regional and national political power. TheDabare subclan is local to Dinsoor and claimed that the more nomadic Luway subclan were moving in to attempt to seize control over Dinsoor’s local council. It has not possible to substantiate any of these allegations. In sum, the conflict appears to have taken place both over land rights and political control of Dinsoor.
Geographically, the conflict has taken place mainly in the Bay region of Somalia’s southwest and has taken the form of militiamen armed with automatic rifles and rocket launchers confronting each other in open areas, mainly around Dinsoor.
Conflict resolution has been attempted by local elders, but it is unclear if the disputed issues have been resolved, or if the two clans began to abide only by a ceasefire after 2004.
The non-state conflict between Dabare subclan of Digil clan (Digil-Mirifle) and Luway subclan of Mirifle clan (Digil-Mirifle) is first included in UCDP data in 2004. In mid-August that year the two clans clashed outside Dinsoor town resulted in at least 27 battle-related deaths.
