Sanaag Regional Peace Charter (Erigavo Peace Charter)

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Country/entity: Somaliland
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Sanaag Regional Peace Charter (Erigavo Peace Charter)
Date: 31 Aug 1993
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Somali Civil War (1991 - )
Originally spurred by centre-peripheral tensions, fighting broke out in 1981 between the regime of President Said Barre and the Somali National Movement, a militia primarily consisting of members from the northern Ishaq clan. Fighting intensified in the late 1980s as more clan-based militias arose. President Barre’s regime collapsed in late 1991 and as a result the UN intervened. However persistent attacks on the UN’s forces forced a withdrawal in 1994. From the mid- to late 1990s, the character of the conflict shifted as warlords fought for access to rents. Also during this period, two different peace agreements arose; the Sodere Declaration, which was mediated by Ethiopia and supported by IGAD, and the Cairo Accord, which was brokered by Egypt. Fighting, already noticeably lessened compared to the early 1990s, decreased and the more amicable environment paved the way for the Transitional Government to be formed in 2000 (replaced in 2004 by the Transitional Federal Government).

Nonetheless, opposition to the TFG arose in the form of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), which by early 2006 had taken control of most of southern Somalia until they were ousted by an armed intervention by Ethiopia in December 2006. As a result, the ICU splintered. Hard-line ICU members formed the Takfiri organization, Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen, and launched a guerrilla campaign against the TFG. Another faction of the ICU fled to Djibouti and formed the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia, which was absorbed into the ruling TFG after successful negotiations in 2007.

To deal with the new round of fighting, the UN-mandated AMISOM force was deployed in 2007. Since then, insecurity has fluctuated between the urban and rural areas as the al-Shabaab's territorial gains waver. Local militia leaders maintain de facto governance over communities. From 2009 to 2012, insecurity spilled over into the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean when Somali pirates seized, looted and ransomed ships. In 2014, 'Operation Indian Ocean' was launched and in parallel with infighting among al-Shabaab, the organisation's position in Somalia has diminished slightly. However, as evidenced by large-scale attacks by al-Shabaab in northern Kenya throughout 2013-2015, the lack of security continues to destabilize the region. Al-Shabaab continues to launch surprise attacks with the aim of forcing out foreign military presence in Somalia. Targets include both military forces and civilians. The devastating attack in October 2017 in Mogadishu saw 587 fatalities and resulted in a renewed military offensive by the Somali government and African Union allies. Since 2017, the U.S. has increased its air strikes targeting al-Shabaab militants, and in December 2018 they announced to re-establish a permanent diplomatic mission in the country. Al-Shabaab has been characterized as a spoiler in the Somali peace process and have therefore been placed outside of any negotiations.
Stage: Framework/substantive - partial
Conflict nature: Inter-group
Peace process: Somaliland-Puntland Peace Process
Parties: List of the Body of Chairpersons:
Ali Warsame Gulaid (Chairperson) (Habar Yoonis)
Mohamed Ali Shire (Vice-chairperson) (Dhulbahante)
Mohamed H. Du’ale (Habar Je’lo)
Ahmed Sheik Salah (Warsangeli)
Ahmed Hassan Badhasab (Ogeyslabe)
Hassan Sheekh Du’ale (Habar Je’lo)
AbdalIa Boss Ahmed (Habar Yoonis)
Mohamed Ahmed Abdulle (Dhulbahante)
Third parties: -
Description: Agreement outlines past provisions in regards to property ownership it then goes on to outline criminal justice as outlined in the Shari'a and aims to put an end to livestock rustling, wherein communities will be jointly responsible for any transgressions. Pastoral rights are then outlined. Agreement then sets up the responsibilities of the Guurti [Council of Elders], which will faciliate the implementation of the agreement as well as set up a police force for the region. Responsibilities of police and security forces are then outlined.

Agreement document: SO_930831_Erigavo Peace Charter.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Rhetorical
Page 1, Article I: Adoption of Peace
The communities of the Sanaag Region have collectively opted for instituting peace among themselves, and hereby request every member of their respective communities to uphold the agreements ending the inter- communal strife within the Region and re-instituting peace and harmony.
Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Substantive
Page 3, Article XIII: Responsibility for Peace in Districts 104. In the areas of multi-communal habitation, like towns, responsibility for peace and law and order shall be entrusted to a multi-communal ad hoc force.

Page 3, Article XIV: The Regional Peace and Law and Order Forces
In view of the communal sensitivities engendered by the recent inter-communal strife, the criteria for selecting the members of the Regional Security Force shall be (i) exceptional personal attributes, (ii) nationalism, and (iii) clean sheet of conduct. Preference shall, in addition be given to the former members of one of the services of the Somali armed forces.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: Page 3, Article XIII: Responsibility for Peace in Districts 103. Assuring the complete security of foreigners in the Region, consisting at present essentially of officers of international aid entities who are engaged in promoting the welfare of the people of the region, is the collective responsibility of the people of Sanaag, and specifically that of the Districts of their respective residence.
Traditional/religious leaders: Page 2, Article VIII: Measures against Violators of Peace
... 95. The Guurti (Council of Elders) determines the traditional norms and applicable, the amount and nature of the fine imposed and other sanctions taken against the offending community or sub-section.

Page 2, Article IX: Responsibility for Peace and law and Order
96. Peace and law and order in the Region is the direct joint responsibility of each community’s guurti, the organs of the Regional Administration and those of its districts.
97. The organs for the maintenance of peace shall be the Region’s security forces (police and custodial corps) the guurti (council of Elders) and those aiding them at the time.

Page 2, Article X: The Guurti and the Regional Administration as the Primary Peace Maintenance Organs
98.The Guurti of the Regional Administration and those of its Districts are the organs traditionally responsible for maintaining peace, and shall therefore form among themselves good offices committees to examine inter-communal frictions and disputes and find peaceful solutions for them.
99.The Executive Committee of the Regional Administration is entrusted with the duty of organising the law and order institutions for the maintaining the peace including the Police and Custodial Corps and Law Courts.

110.
Article XI: Creation of the Good-Office Committee of the Guurti
The Regional Guurti shall constitute in the first formal meeting a Regional Committee or Good Office, composed of those who led the campaign for the prevailing peace and inter-communal harmony. The role of such committee shall be to instil in the public the social significance of peace and the restoration of inter- communal harmony.

Page 3, Article XVI: Amending this Charter
108. This charter may be amended, after it enters into force, by the Region’s General Assembly of Peace. The General Assembly may delegate the authority to make the needed amendments in some specific matters or field to a plenary meeting of the Regional Guurti.

Page 3, Article XVI: Amending this Charter 
109. The plenary meeting of the Regional Guurti is empowered to make, in the cases of urgent necessity, provisional amendments of the protocol.

Page 2, Article XVI: Amending this Charter 111. Proposals for the amendment of this Charter may be made by any organ of the Regional Administration and of its inhabitations by sending the request to the Guurti of the region.
112. Meetings of the Regional General Assembly of Peace may be called only by the Regional Guurti.
Public administration: Page 3, Article XV: Property of Public Domain
106. Responsibility for the custody and management of all state assets in the Region shall be vested exclusively in the Regional Administration and its District Officers, who in turn shall be responsible to the State for safeguarding and proper utilization of such assets.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: Power sharing→Military power sharing→Proportionality
Page 3, Article XII: The Creation of a Regional Security Force
100. To provide solid permanent foundations for the prevailing peace, a Regional Security Force composed of all the communities of the region and consisting of Police and Custodial Corps shall be created.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: Article IV: Determining of the immovable Properties of the Communities and the Individuals. 
... 81. The rights of the communities and individuals determined and guaranteed by the preceding paragraph will be assured by their combined social, religious and legal dimensions.

Page 2, Article VI: Raiding, Rustling, Killing and Injuries
... 89. The attackers who get killed or injured during their raid, rustling or robbery are entitled to no legal rights or remedies.

Article IX: Responsibility for Peace and law and Order
96. Peace and law and order in the Region is the direct joint responsibility of each community’s guurti, the organs of the Regional Administration and those of its districts.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: Human rights and equality→Civil and political rights→Life
Page 1,
Article V: The Individuals Right to Life
83. Further to the agreements reached in the bilateral meetings of the communities on the quantity of compensatory damages payable for the loss of life and personal injuries, the present protocol establishes individuals’ legal rights to his life and property.
Socio-economic rights: Human rights and equality→Socio-economic rights→Property
Page 1, Article IV: Determining of the immovable Properties of the Communities and the Individuals. 
... 80. This protocol determines and guarantees the immovable property rights of each community and its members.

Page 1, Article IV: Determining of the immovable Properties of the Communities and the Individuals.
… 81. The rights of the communities and individuals determined and guaranteed by the preceding paragraph will be assured by their combined social, religious and legal dimensions.

Page 1, Article V: The Individuals Right to Life
... 83. Further to the agreements reached in the bilateral meetings of the communities on the quantity of compensatory damages payable for the loss of life and personal injuries, the present protocol establishes individuals’ legal rights to his life and property.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: Rights related issues→Protection measures→Other
Page 3, Article XV: Property of Public Domain
... 107. The Natural resources of the region, including the wildlife, fish the vegetation, shall enjoy Regional protection and the Regional Administration shall use its own powers and those of the districts, including the Security Forces, to protect such resources from abuse.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: Justice sector reform→Criminal justice and emergency law→Reform to specific laws
Page 1, Article V: The Individuals Right to Life
... 84.Every person committing the premeditated killing of another shall hence forth be executed in accordance with the precepts of Islamic Sharia.

Page 1, Article VI: Raiding, Rustling, Killing and Injuries
86. If robbing, raids and rustling are committed by a community or any of its members after the coming into force of this charter, the community concerned will be held responsible jointly with the members directly implicated.

Page 2, Article VI: Raiding, Rustling, Killing and Injuries
... 87. In the case of death and personal injuries, caused during a raid or rustling, the parties directly involved bear jointly the full legal consequences.
88. Collective community culpability for pillage, death and injury as well as other criminal acts shall be abrogated by this protocol as contained in the above sub-sections 1 and 2 of this article.
89. The attackers who get killed or injured during their raid, rustling or robbery are entitled to no legal rights or remedies.

Page 2, Article VIII: Measures against Violators of Peace
94. The Sanctions against a community or a sub-section of a community who disturb inter communal peace in violation of the provisions of the protocol shall include unlimited proprietary fines, whether in cash or livestock and collective censuring by the others.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: Page 2, Article X: The Guurti and the Regional Administration as the Primary Peace Maintenance Organs
... 99. The Executive Committee of the Regional Administration is entrusted with the duty of organising the law and order institutions for the maintaining the peace including the Police and Custodial Corps and Law Courts.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: Page 1, Article V: The Individuals Right to Life
... 84.Every person committing the premeditated killing of another shall hence forth be executed in accordance with the precepts of Islamic Sharia.
85. When the killing of another person is not intentional but is due to accidental factors or is committed in the course of reasonable self defense, the provisions of Islamic Sharia and Somali customary law will apply.

Page 1-2, [Summary] Article VI provides for joint community responsibility in the case of criminal violations after signature of the charter.

Page 2, Article VIII: Measures against Violators of Peace
94. The Sanctions against a community or a sub-section of a community who disturb inter communal peace in violation of the provisions of the protocol shall include unlimited proprietary fines, whether in cash or livestock and collective censuring by the others.
95. The Guurti (Council of Elders) determines the traditional norms and applicable, the amount and nature of the fine imposed and other sanctions taken against the offending community or sub-section.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: Page 3, Article XV: Property of Public Domain
... 107. The Natural resources of the region, including the wildlife, fish the vegetation, shall enjoy Regional protection and the Regional Administration shall use its own powers and those of the districts, including the Security Forces, to protect such resources from abuse.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: Land, property and environment→Land reform/rights→Land reform and management
Page 1, Article IV: Determining of the immovable Properties of the Communities and the Individuals.
… 82. The committees for the transfer of immovable properties established in their bilateral meetings by the communities are assimilated, in respect of the validity of their decision to the Executive Committee of the Regional Administration.
Land, property and environment→Land reform/rights→Other land rights
Page 1, Article IV: Determining of the immovable Properties of the Communities and the Individuals.
… 80. This protocol determines and guarantees the immovable property rights of each community and its members.

Page 1, Article IV: Determining of the immovable Properties of the Communities and the Individuals.
… 81. The rights of the communities and individuals determined and guaranteed by the preceding paragraph will be assured by their combined social, religious and legal dimensions.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: Page 2, Article VII: Sharing of Grazing Water and camping
91. Shall the distribution of rainfall caused better grazing and water to be concentrated in the traditional grazing area of a particular community, the grazing, water and camping will be open to all the communities.
92. The responsibility for the facilitating the joint camping for sharing such grazing and water among the communities of the traditional occupiers of the area and those of the visiting communities falls on the community of the traditional occupiers.
93. Further to provisions of the preceding paragraph, the communities so gathered shall form a joint good offices committee to look into and find a solution for any fraction or dispute among the communities.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: Page 3, Article XV: Property of Public Domain
... 107. The Natural resources of the region, including the wildlife, fish the vegetation, shall enjoy Regional protection and the Regional Administration shall use its own powers and those of the districts, including the Security Forces, to protect such resources from abuse.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: Page 3, Article XIII: Responsibility for Peace in Districts
102. Until such time as the regional Police Forces is able to extend its peace-keeping role to all parts of the Regional, peacekeeping in the districts shall be responsibility of their respective communities.

Page 3, Article XIII: Responsibility for Peace in Districts 103. Assuring the complete security of foreigners in the Region, consisting at present essentially of officers of international aid entities who are engaged in promoting the welfare of the people of the region, is the collective responsibility of the people of Sanaag, and specifically that of the Districts of their respective residence.

Page 3, Article XIII: Responsibility for Peace in Districts 104. In the areas of multi-communal habitation, like towns, responsibility for peace and law and order shall be entrusted to a multi-communal ad hoc force.

Page 3, Article XIII: Responsibility for Peace in Districts ... 105. All the Security organs of the districts shall conform to the extent possible to the model established for those of the region.
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
Police: Article IX: Responsibility for Peace and law and Order
... 97. The organs for the maintenance of peace shall be the Region’s security forces (police and custodial corps) the guurti (council of Elders) and those aiding them at the time.

Page 2, Article X: The Guurti and the Regional Administration as the Primary Peace Maintenance Organs
... 99. The Executive Committee of the Regional Administration is entrusted with the duty of organising the law and order institutions for the maintaining the peace including the Police and Custodial Corps and Law Courts.

Page 3, Article XII: The Creation of a Regional Security Force
100. To provide solid permanent foundations for the prevailing peace, a Regional Security Force composed of all the communities of the region and consisting of Police and Custodial Corps shall be created.
101. The Regional Administration shall do its utmost to place the members of the existing forces of each of the communities of the region in productive endeavors, including the acquisition of technical skills.

Page 3, Article XIII: Responsibility for Peace in Districts
102. Until such time as the regional Police Forces is able to extend its peace-keeping role to all parts of the Regional, peacekeeping in the districts shall be responsibility of their respective communities.

Page 3, Article XIV: The Regional Peace and Law and Order Forces
In view of the communal sensitivities engendered by the recent inter-communal strife, the criteria for selecting the members of the Regional Security Force shall be (i) exceptional personal attributes, (ii) nationalism, and (iii) clean sheet of conduct. Preference shall, in addition be given to the former members of one of the services of the Somali armed forces.
Armed forces: Page 3, Article XIV: The Regional Peace and Law and Order Forces
In view of the communal sensitivities engendered by the recent inter-communal strife, the criteria for selecting the members of the Regional Security Force shall be (i) exceptional personal attributes, (ii) nationalism, and (iii) clean sheet of conduct. Preference shall, in addition be given to the former members of one of the services of the Somali armed forces.

Page 3, Article XV: Property of Public Domain
... 107. The Natural resources of the region, including the wildlife, fish the vegetation, shall enjoy Regional protection and the Regional Administration shall use its own powers and those of the districts, including the Security Forces, to protect such resources from abuse.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: Transitional justice→Courts→National courts
Page 2, Article VI: Raiding, Rustling, Killing and Injuries
... 87. In the case of death and personal injuries, caused during a raid or rustling, the parties directly involved bear jointly the full legal consequences.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: Transitional justice→Reparations→Material reparations
Article IV: Determining of the immovable Properties of the Communities and the Individuals. 
... 82. The committees for the transfer of immovable properties established in their bilateral meetings by the communities are assimilated, in respect of the validity of their decision to the Executive Committee of the Regional Administration.

Page 1, Article V: The Individuals Right to Life
... 83. Further to the agreements reached in the bilateral meetings of the communities on the quantity of compensatory damages payable for the loss of life and personal injuries, the present protocol establishes individuals’ legal rights to his life and property.

Page 2, Article VI: Raiding, Rustling, Killing and Injuries
... 90. Stray livestock will be returned to their rightful owners in accordance with the terms of the peace agreement and those of this Charter.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: Page 3, Article XVI: Amending this Charter 
109. The plenary meeting of the Regional Guurti is empowered to make, in the cases of urgent necessity, provisional amendments of the protocol.

Page 3, Article XVI: Amending this Charter 
... 110. If there is a conflict between any of the provision of this Charter and those of the State, the State Law shall prevail.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Interpeace, 'The Search for Peace: Peace in Somaliland: An Indigenous Approach to State-building' undated.

Sanaag Regional Peace Charter (Erigavo Peace Charter)

Article 1 Establishment of a regional administration

Article 2 Emblem of the Region

Article 3 General Principle to be applied by the region

Article 4 The Organic structure of regional administrative bodies

Article 25 Recognition of national laws

Article 26 Changes of Statutes

Article 27 Coming into Force

Article I:

Adoption of Peace

The communities of the Sanaag Region have collectively opted for instituting peace among themselves, and hereby request every member of their respective communities to uphold the agreements ending the inter-communal strife within the Region and re-instituting peace and harmony.

Article II:

The Promulgation of the Preceding Peace Agreement

This charter is founded on the peace agreements concluded by the communities of the Region from the middle of 1991 to 1993, and their various terms are hereby promulgated as being the sources and complement of this protocol.

Article III:

The Informing of the Agreed Terms

The conclusions reached and agreed upon by the General Assembly of Peace of the Sanaag Region communities during the session between 19 August and 8 November 1993 represent the final definition and delineation of the struggle for peace in the Region, and their enforcement and respect are vested with special social regional and legal significance.

Article IV:

Determining of the immovable Properties of the Communities and the Individuals.

80. This protocol determines and guarantees the immovable property rights of each community and its members.

81. The rights of the communities and individuals determined and guaranteed by the preceding paragraph will be assured by their combined social, religious and legal dimensions.

82. The committees for the transfer of immovable properties established in their bilateral meetings by the communities are assimilated, in respect of the validity of their decision to the Executive Committee of the Regional Administration.

Article V:

The Individuals Right to Life

83. Further to the agreements reached in the bilateral meetings of the communities on the quantity of compensatory damages payable for the loss of life and personal injuries, the present protocol establishes individuals’ legal rights to his life and property.

84. Every person committing the premeditated killing of another shall henceforth be executed in accordance with the precepts of Islamic Sharia.

85. When the killing of another person is not intentional but is due to accidental factors or is committed in

the course of reasonable self defense, the provisions of Islamic Sharia and Somali customary law will apply.

Article VI:

Raiding, Rustling, Killing and Injuries

86. If robbing, raids and rustling are committed by a community or any of its members after the coming into force of this charter, the community concerned will be held responsible jointly with the members directly implicated.

87. In the case of death and personal injuries, caused during a raid or rustling, the parties directly involved bear jointly the full legal consequences.

88. Collective community culpability for pillage, death and injury as well as other criminal acts shall be abrogated by this protocol as contained in the above sub-sections 1 and 2 of this article.

89. The attackers who get killed or injured during their raid, rustling or robbery are entitled to no legal rights or remedies.

90. Stray livestock will be returned to their rightful owners in accordance with the terms of the peace agreement and those of this Charter.

Article VII:

Sharing of Grazing Water and camping

91. Shall the distribution of rainfall caused better grazing and water to be concentrated in the traditional grazing area of a particular community, the grazing, water and camping will be open to all the communities.

92. The responsibility for the facilitating the joint camping for sharing such grazing and water among the communities of the traditional occupiers of the area and those of the visiting communities falls on the community of the traditional occupiers.

93. Further to provisions of the preceding paragraph, the communities so gathered shall form a joint good offices committee to look into and find a solution for any fraction or dispute among the communities.

Article VIII:

Measures against Violators of Peace

94. The Sanctions against a community or a sub-section of a community who disturb inter communal peace in violation of the provisions of the protocol shall include unlimited proprietary fines, whether in cash or livestock and collective censuring by the others.

95. The Guurti (Council of Elders) determines the traditional norms and applicable, the amount and nature of the fine imposed and other sanctions taken against the offending community or sub-section.

Article IX:

Responsibility for Peace and law and Order

96. Peace and law and order in the Region is the direct joint responsibility of each community’s guurti, the organs of the Regional Administration and those of its districts.

97. The organs for the maintenance of peace shall be the Region’s security forces (police and custodial corps) the guurti (council of Elders) and those aiding them at the time.

Article X:

The Guurti and the Regional Administration as the Primary Peace Maintenance Organs

98. The Guurti of the Regional Administration and those of its Districts are the organs traditionally responsible for maintaining peace, and shall therefore form among themselves good offices committees to examine inter-communal frictions and disputes and find peaceful solutions for them.

99. The Executive Committee of the Regional Administration is entrusted with the duty of organising the law and order institutions for the maintaining the peace including the Police and Custodial Corps and Law Courts.

Article XI:

Creation of the Good-Office Committee of the Guurti

The Regional Guurti shall constitute in the first formal meeting a Regional Committee or Good Office, composed of those who led the campaign for the prevailing peace and inter-communal harmony.

The role of such committee shall be to instil in the public the social significance of peace and the restoration of inter- communal harmony.

Article XII:

The Creation of a Regional Security Force

100. To provide solid permanent foundations for the prevailing peace, a Regional Security Force composed of all the communities of the region and consisting of Police and Custodial Corps shall be created.

101. The Regional Administration shall do its utmost to place the members of the existing forces of each of the communities of the region in productive endeavors, including the acquisition of technical skills.

Article XIII:

Responsibility for Peace in Districts

102. Until such time as the regional Police Forces is able to extend its peace-keeping role to all parts of the Regional, peacekeeping in the districts shall be responsibility of their respective communities.

103. Assuring the complete security of foreigners in the Region, consisting at present essentially of officers of international aid entities who are engaged in promoting the welfare of the people of the region, is the collective responsibility of the people of Sanaag, and specifically that of the Districts of their respective residence.

104. In the areas of multi-communal habitation, like towns, responsibility for peace and law and order shall be entrusted to a multi-communal ad hoc force.

105. All the Security organs of the districts shall conform to the extent possible to the model established for those of the region.

Article XIV:

The Regional Peace and Law and Order Forces

In view of the communal sensitivities engendered by the recent inter-communal strife, the criteria for selecting the members of the Regional Security Force shall be (i) exceptional personal attributes, (ii) nationalism, and

(iii) clean sheet of conduct.

Preference shall, in addition be given to the former members of one of the services of the Somali armed forces.

Article XV:

Property of Public Domain

106. Responsibility for the custody and management of all state assets in the Region shall be vested exclusively in the Regional Administration and its District Officers, who in turn shall be responsible to the State for safeguarding and proper utilization of such assets.

107. The Natural resources of the region, including the wildlife, fish the vegetation, shall enjoy Regional protection and the Regional Administration shall use its own powers and those of the districts, including the Security Forces, to protect such resources from abuse.

Article XVI:

Amending this Charter

108. This charter may be amended, after it enters into force, by the Region’s General Assembly of Peace.

The General Assembly may delegate the authority to make the needed amendments in some specific matters or field to a plenary meeting of the Regional Guurti.

109. The plenary meeting of the Regional Guurti is empowered to make, in the cases of urgent necessity, provisional amendments of the protocol.

110. If there is a conflict between any of the provision of this Charter and those of the State, the State Law shall prevail.

111. Proposals for the amendment of this Charter may be made by any organ of the Regional Administration and of its inhabitations by sending the request to the Guurti of the region.

112. Meetings of the Regional General Assembly of Peace may be called only by the Regional Guurti.

Article XVII:

Special Regional Honors

The region hereby awards exceptional honors to the persons who led struggle for peace among the communities of the Region on account of their devotion to the happiness and the prosperity of the people of the region.

Article XVIII:

Recognition of the Day of Peace

This protocol recognizes 11 November 1993 as the official day of Peace of Sanaag, representing and embodying the prevalence of peace and progress in the region.

Article XIX:

Status of Preceding Bilateral Agreements

The agreements concluded in the bilateral meetings which preceded the adoption of this protocol constitute an integral part of this protocol.