The Contribution of Women to Peace and Reconciliation

In 2004, following one of the peace conferences in Kenya, the “Transitional
Federal Government” (TFG) was formed to create peace. At the
same time however, the TFG found itself in opposition, particularly, to
the religious opposition of the United Islamic Courts (UIC), which was
successfully able to win the support of the people, and introduce Islamic
law. The UIC succeeded in reducing the power of the warlords. “Due
to the stability and order created by the UIC, many Somalis in the diaspora
returned to Mogadishu, and were able to get their property back ...
The era led by the UIC was a promising period that offered alternative
solutions to Somalia’s protracted anarchy through some sort of governance,
based on Sharia Law, that sought to oust the warlords, protect
civilians from violence, and bring law and order in the capital city and
beyond.” (p. 135). In 2006 however, Ethiopian troops intervened militarily
and ended the predominance of the UIC. The presence of Ethiopian
troops in Somalia led to new waves of deadly violence, destruction and
flight. However, they also made it possible for the TFG to establish itself
in Mogadishu in 2007. Shukria Dini divides the development of violence
into four phases:
“The first stage, from 1990 to the mid-’90s, is what I call the era of warlords
vs. the military government. During this stage, the armed opposition
groups were organized on a clan basis, and the warlords who were
their leaders waged war against Siad Barre’s military government. …
Both the opposition groups and the military government used extreme
violence against one another – indiscriminate killings, looting and destruction
of property, as well as violence against women.
This stage was followed by a second stage in the latter half of the
1990s that I call the era of warlords against civilians, which was characterized
by lawlessness, statelessness, anarchy, a political vacuum and
the looting of public and private property. This stage marks the era
where warlords waged deliberate violence and terrorized civilians,
includ ing women. The targeted civilians were seen as enemies who had
either close relationships or clan affiliations with the military government,
from which they benefited. … Violence against women and minority
groups increased.
32