The Role Of IGAD In Settling Somalia Conflict 1999-2012

This researchfocuses on the role of Intergovernmental Authority on Development(IGAD)in Somalia conflict in the mediation process since 1999 to 2012.It examines IGAD's support towards the formation of the 1stTransitional Federal Government [1stT.F.G] in Somalia.For a long time,Somalia has been in a state of political and socio-economic crises since the demise of the central government in 1991.With a collapsed state,widespread violence and criminal activity,as well as continued disagreement between warring factions,the prospect of peace seemed bleak.What followed after the collapse of the state in 1991 was an intensification of violent civil war among various political players supported by various external powers.Due to the ethnic cleansing of this civil war,regional and international actors intervened in order to restore peace and order in the country.Studies on Somalia conflict have indicated it to be one of the longest with profound devastation to its people,where thousands were killed,raped,robbed and made refugees or internally displaced.These studies have attributed the role of cultural diversity and political competition in bridging and maintaining the conflict in Somalia as is witnessed in the rest of African continent.It is in this vain that this study embarked to examines attempts to resolve the long standing Somalia conflict through a regional institution.Specifically,this study focused onthe role of Intergovernmental Authority on Development's(IGAD)involvement in the Somali conflict.It examines its resolution efforts based on the available body of knowledge about the nature of the conflict and diplomatic initiatives.This work provides a brief analysis of the nature and scope of the conflict with a particular focus on the key features,the actors,and issues which drove the conflict since the fall of General Mohammed Siad Barre's military regime in 1991,and the subsequent collapse of the Somali state.In particular,the main objective is to assess the role of IGAD in resolving the Somali conflict with specific objectives being;first is to examine IGAD's mechanisms in resolving Somalia conflict;and second,to assess the role of IGAD in the formation of the 1st Transitional Federal Government(1st T.F.G).In order to achieve these objectives,the study relies primarily on secondary sources of data.Thus,materials from media publications,reports,and archival review of journal articles,magazines,and news study were analyzed.It has been observed that the most significant internal factors contributing to the intractability of Somalia conflict were the long absence of a central governing authority,the low level of economic development,the role of Islam,as well as particular choices made by the parties to the conflict.The study adopted regional organization theory based on the argument that regional institution is a creation of interstate associations or groupings on the basis of regions;and in the doctrinal sense,the advocacy of such formations.It is on this basis that regional organization is able to respond to the mutual needs of the member states through cooperation.It is in this light,that the study examines the role of IGAD,in addressing the needs of partner states in areas of conflict and security.The study finds that IGAD adopted roundtable mediation conferences as means of bringing together major warring parties to the Somalia conflict.The research argues that IGAD was able to provide a framework by bringing together different warring factions towards re-establishment of sovereign government in Somalia – the 1st Transitional Federal Government(1st TFG).Some of these conferences are: the Conference in Sodere(Ethiopia National Salvation Council [NSC],in 1997);the Arta Djibouti Conference(Peace National Peace Conference [SNPC],in 2000);the Eldoret Peace Process(2002)and the Mbagathi Peace Conference(2004),held in Kenya;and the Djibouti peace process(2008).IGAD contributed to the establishment of the interim government of Somalia by undertaking various mediation efforts,which were mostly intended to create unity among the rivaling clans and factions around the Transitional National Government(TNG),“elected” by the Arta conference in Djibouti in 2000.Moreover,IGAD's approach to conflict management mechanism was a desire by its member states to fully address both domestic and external sources of conflict.IGAD also established a Mediation Support Unit(MSU)in Peace and Security Division to institutionalize mediation efforts and strengthen its institutional and normative capacity in the areas of preventive diplomacy and mediation.IGAD created a roster of 21 mediators,comprising of experienced diplomats and respected public figures from the IGAD's Member States.Through its Political Affairs Programme,it was assisted by member states in efforts to address issues of governance and elections in order to prevent the outbreak of conflicts and promote and maintain peace and security in the region.Towards resolving the conflict in Somalia,the study finds that IGAD was a key influencing factor playing a crucial role towards the formation a central government since the collapse in 1991.The major achievement of IGAD was that it was able to manage the formation of a 1sttransitional federal government which later transformed into the formal federal government of Somalia.IGAD faced numerous challenges in executing its mandates.Most glaring is a lack of finances due to the failure of non-remittance by member states making the organization to rely heavily on donor funds.The organization also faced a challenge on human resource capacity of a standing secretariat with expertise in areas of conflict and conflict resolution and peace building.Towards this end,the study recommends that IGAD member states should honor their financial obligation to own and empower the institutions.Equally the study also suggests that the personnel be empowered with skills in areas of conflict resolution and peace building.This will enable the institution be better placed to serve its member states that are ever embroiled in inter and intra state conflicts in the horn of Africa and the region.The research is organized into five chapters as pillars to unfold IGAD's role to the Somalia conflict.They are as follows;Chapter oneintroduces the reason why the topic waschosen and the relevant background information necessary for the study.Chapter Two focuses on the origin of Somalia conflict and analyzes factors to the cause of the conflict,ushering IGAD's involvement in Somalia case.It further unfolds implication of the conflict regionally and internationally.Chapter three examines measures undertaken by IGAD in resolving Somalia conflict.It demonstrates IGAD's diplomatic mechanism in resolving Somalia conflict by way of bringing together warring factions in negotiation conferences.It highlights IGAD's roadmap to peace process through the formation of TFG.Chapter fourevaluates the effectiveness of IGAD in resolving Somalia conflict that eventually resulted to the formation of 1st TFG.It argues that IGAD was successful in its mandate with the establishment of an all inclusive first transitional federal government(TFG).Finally,chapterfivewhich has conclusion and provides recommendation section.It is from this structure that this research is fundamentally able to illustrate how Somalia has experienced constant instability and conflict for nearly two decades and efforts in resolving the conflict.