Peace Mapping in Somalia
February 08, 2010

Biyokulule, Toronto: An exhibition of books and speeches about the Peace Processes and its lessons learned in Somalia was held at Days Inn near Tariq Mosque at Wilson and Jane, on Saturday afternoon, February 6^th 2010.

The speeches, a video film and the literature presented were about how local peace process work in Somalia and how conflict resolutions are solved through traditional ways that Somalis knowhow, the Somali customary law.

The event was attended by Somali Canadians who are residing in Toronto and Greater Toronto Area. The audiences came to the Lady Hamilton Hall (Days Inn) to listen a distinguished guests who flew to Toronto from Africa to speak to the Somali Canadians in Toronto.

The guests spoke about the peace processes in Somalia specifically a study titled “Peace Mapping in Somalia: Connecting Somali and International Peace Mapping”, a join study conducted by three partner institutions – Centre for Research and Dialogue (CRD), Inter Peace and Puntland Development and Research Center.

The distinguished guests were Mr. Abdirahman Osman Raghe of Inter-Peace and Jibril Ibrahim Abdulle of Centre for Research and Dialogue, both of them are Somali Canadians. They have returned to Somalia to conduct research and reconciliation throughout Somalia.

The master of ceremony, Mr. Mahad Yusuf, the Executive Director of Midaynta Community Services commenced the program by welcoming everyone in attendance and asking Sheikh Mohamed Yusuf Hassan to recite Quranic verses. The Sheikh, after reading the Quran, spoke five minutes about the virtues of brotherhood, peace, good character, teamwork, and so on.

The microphone was then welcomed to Saacid Daahir who has returned from Mombasa, Kenya, where he attended civil society conference. He highlighted Mombasa Declaration of the Principles of Peace, a conference which was attended more than 180 delegates of Somali civil society, consisting civic actors, diasporas groups and business leaders who met in Mombasa from 7-11 December, 2009 and adopted Mombasa Declaration of the Principles of Peace. Then, Mr. Mahad Yusuf returned to the microphone and introduced patiently-waited guests.

First, Abdirahman Osman Raghe of Inter-Peace spoke about conflict mapping and mediations held in Somalia. He stated that there were 130 shir nabadeed peace meeting concerning about conflict of land and water wells. He mentioned some successes of those conflict resolutions, when two sides agreed to abandon the water wells because of keeping the peace. He elaborated other projects that Inter-Peace is involved and highlighted the need for writing the history of rebel movements and the urgency of new leaders in Somalia who are equipped with the tools needed to lead the Somali people. He stressed the need for re-organization,  especially the youth getting involved in the participation of the Somali peace process. He talked about a young woman whom he met in Mombasa conference who has now established a political party named Hanoolaato, which he welcomed. In concluding his talk, Abdirahman Osman Raghe underlined the challenges of stopping the war in Somalia.

Afterwards, Mr. Jibril Ibrahim Abdulle was welcomed to the microphone. He talked about Peace Mapping and three partner institutions involved the study of “Peace Mapping in Somalia: Connecting Somali and International Peace Mapping” He talked about peace meetings and peace processes, lesson learned and what is required the peace process to be successful – the process involved and how local peace processes work. He explained the role the diasporas communities played either positively or negatively in peace processes. He emphasized the need of genuine peace and reconciliation efforts. And finally, a film was played documenting peace processes in Somalia, featuring the traditional ways of solving Somali conflict reconciliation methods.