The basic foundation for any attempt for rehabilitation or reconstruction rests on the complete understanding and appreciation of local conditions. Somalia and Somaliland show contrasting pictures of how the decentralised and indigenous system works better than the imposed centralised system.
This paper examines the reasons for the conflict and collapse of the state in Somalia and Somaliland, and argues that the efforts for reconstruction and rehabilitation must be based on traditional support systems and the stakeholders. Despite all the financial resources that the United Nations and other international agencies have tried to employ in reconstructing and rehabilitating Somalia, there have been few signs of improvement. Somaliland, on the other hand, even though it has no recognition as a state, has survived the ravages of war and famine and has emerged strong and vibrant. This is a result of the indigenous and decentralised systems supporting conflict resolution in Somaliland.
Imposing a centralised system on people, who work and live together and solve problems through their own traditional ways, is not always successful. Somalia, after many expensive interventions by the UN and other international agencies, still needs to be reconstructed and rehabilitated.
Other conclusions that the paper draws are:
- The UN and other outside agencies have failed to recognise and take into account the multi-dimensional nature of the situation in Somalia and Somaliland, and have tried to impose a simplistic solution to a complex problem
- Superimposing a centralised system on a decentralised nation has created divisions and discrepancies
- Violent conflicts, in addition to being a threat to physical well being, have affected women’s lives by increasing their workload
- Traditional support systems can collapse under stress
- Outside interventions are useless unless they have a clear mandate, information and the ability to coordinate with other agencies and adapt to local conditions.
Somaliland is an example of how traditional systems can prove much better than solutions imposed by outsiders. Policy-makers, when dealing with conflict resolution and reconstruction, must:
- Understand and appreciate traditional networks and systems that help keep a community together
- Work for a longer-term solution rather than look for short-term but high-profile results
- Develop a clear mandate for outside intervention
- Try to exercise impartiality.
