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 conflict between Muhamed Muse subclan of Abgal (Hawiye) and Warsangeli subclan of Abgal (Hawiye) was a part of the general struggle in the early 2000s regarding the control over Middle Shabelle region, in south-central Somalia. In addition, other conflicts including Abgal subclan exist in the region. An example is the Abdulle Galmah - Kabalo conflict. Some of the conflicts in the area are regarding the support of Dheere as two Abanyar sub-clans (belonging to the Abgal subclan) are in conflict regarding the support of Dheere.
The head of the Warsangeli subclan, Mohamed Omar Habeb Dheere, was also the ruler over Middle Sabelle’s capital Jowahar. Dheere was engaged in a comprehensive struggle regarding territorial control which encompasses several clans in Middle Shabelle. One of Dheere’s enemies was warlord Dahir Sjiek Mohamed, head of the Muhamed Muse subclan, which sought control over the region. Muhamed Muse perceived Dheere’s rule as illegitimate and one of the incompatibilities that ignited the conflict was the taxation that was imposed on a village in Middle Shabelle by Dheere.
The non-state conflict between Muhamed Muse subclan of Abgal (Hawiye) and Warsangeli subclan of Abgal (Hawiye) is first included in UCDP data in 2003. In May that year, clashes in Middle Shabelle region resulted in over 25 battle-related deaths.
