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 Suleiman subclan of Habar Gidir (Hawiye) and the Qubeys subclan (Dir) are living close to each other in Mudug region in central Somalia. Qubeys is a subclan of the Dir clan while the Suleiman subclan comes from the Habar Gidir sub-clan of Hawiye. Both clans have a number of members who are pastoralists and they are thus dependent on water and grazing for their animals. In a country like Somalia this is not uncommon to lead to disputes, as lack of rainfall may risk the livelihood, and even lives, of the pastoralists.

The conflict between Suleiman subclan and the Qubeys subclan in the southern parts of Mudug started after long-term disputes over land ownership. The conflict was centralized to the area around two towns in the southeastern part of Mudug, namely Ba’adweyne and Camaara (also referred to as e.g. Bacadweyne and Amara). Reports of fighting started already in February but the major clashes broke out in March. Some 80 people were killed in February and March. A number of different groups showed interest in assisting to resolve the conflict, from the TFG to the Hawiye Cultural and Unity Council. By the start of April the hostilities had resided but one incident in late August gave fears that the conflict was possibly reigniting. This was however not the case and the conflict did not result in violence in 2010.

The non-state conflict between the Suleiman subclan of Habar Gidir (Hawiye) and the Qubeys subclan (Dir) is first included in UCDP data in 2010. In March of that year violent clashes flared up in the region, resulting in over 25 battle-related deaths.