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 non-state conflict between the Agon-Yar sub-clan of the Abgal clan (Hawiye) and the Warsangeli sub-clan of the Abgal clan (Hawiye) has plenty of political overtones on the national level. Unlike many other non-state conflicts in Somalia the non-state conflict that broke out in 2002 between these two belligerents was not related to access to water or grazing land, but instead linked to the ongoing state-based conflict between the SRRC (Somali Restoration and Reconciliation Council) and the Transitional Government of Somalia. Fighting between the Warsangeli subclan and the Agon-Yar subclan was, however, not part of but parallel to this conflict. In essence this non-state conflict was related to the overarching issue of the aforementioned state-based conflict, but degenerated into clan-based fighting.
During 2002 the Warsangeli subclan was affiliated to the SRRC, through one of its leading members; Mohammed Omar Habeb of the Warsangeli. Similarly, the Agon-Yar subclan was affiliated to the Transitional Government through Minister Dahir Dayah. Both parties laid claim to the area of Middle Shabelle, which was under SRRC control. Thus, there existed a wider political conflict.
It is unclear exactly what triggered the clashes that began in early May, but some evidence points to a disagreement between Warsangeli clansmen and Agon-Yar clansmen over “road tax” at a roadblock on the outskirts of Mogadishu as being imperative. This explanation is plausible, seeing that their affiliated organizations laid claim to the same territory and thus the same “right” to set up roadblocks. After clashes in early May the fighting escalated, with Warsangeli tribesmen at one point attacking the home of Agon-Yar clansman and Transitional Government Minister Dahir Dayah.
Fighting was mitigated by negotiations between clan elders in July, but clashes continued to take place during the year, both in September and November. No large-scale fighting (exceeding the 25 deaths threshold) took place after 2002, but it is unclear to what degree the conflict has been resolved. It is likely that at least parts of the conflict were mitigated by the break-up of the SRRC in late 2002; something which decreased the Warsangeli clan’s influence in the Middle Shabelle region through a loss allies.
Clashes between the two parties took place mainly in the Middle Shabelle region, and on the outskirts of Mogadishu. The most commonly used weapons were small arms such as automatic weapons, coupled with the use of technicals (battle wagons constructed from pickups).
The non-state conflict between the Agon-Yar sub-clan of the Abgal clan (Hawiye) and the Warsangeli sub-clan of the Abgal clan (Hawiye) is first included in UCDP data in 2002. In May that year, clashes on the outskirts of Mogadishu left at least 9 clan fighters dead. With these deaths the non-state conflict crossed the 25 battle-related deaths threshold.
