Country/entity

Somalia

Region

Africa (excl MENA)

Agreement name

Central Regions State Formation Agreement (Mudug and Galgadug)

Date

30 Jul 2014

Agreement status

Multiparty signed/agreed

Interim arrangement

Yes

Agreement/conflict level

Intrastate/local 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.

Close

Somali Civil War (1991 - )

Stage

Framework/substantive - partial

Conflict nature

Government/territory

Peace process

Somalia Peace Process

Parties

Galmudug State, Abdi Hassan Awale Qeybdid; Ahlu Sunna wal Jamaa Administration, Sheikh Ibrahim Sheikh Gureye; Himan and Heeb Administration, Abdullahi Mohamed Ali (Barleh); FGS, Mustafa Shiekh Ali Dhuhulow, Duale Adam Mohamed, Ahmed Ali Salad (Tako), Mahad Mohamed Salad.
Guarator: Abdullahi Godah Barre

Third parties

Witnesses
EU Special Envoy for Somalia, Amb. Michele Cervone; IGAD Special Envoy for Somalia, Amb. Muhammed Affey; UNISOM Special Representative to Secretary-General, Amb. Nicholas Kay; African Union, The Acting Special Representative and Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of African Union Commission, Hon. Lydia Wanyoto Mutende.

Description

Agreement sets forth principles for forming a new regional administration in the central part of Somalia.

Agreement document

SO_140730_CentralRegionFormation.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type

Formal structured process

Rationale

This agreement was concluded with the support of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) which invited the parties to Mogadishu. EU, IGAD, UN, and AU representatives signed as witnesses. The FGS mediated a similar agreement about a month earlier (Agreement: An Inclusive Interim Administration for the South West Regions of Somalia (Bay, Bakol and Lower Shabelle), 22/06/2014).

Is there a documented link to a national peace process?

Yes

Link to national process: articulated rationale

The agreement is part of a wider political settlement process in Somalia that aimed at establishing inclusive regional administrations.

Name of Locale

Mudug - Galgadud

Nature of Locale

Region

GPS Lat/Long (DD)

6.208974, 46.634167

Participant type

Central state actor
Local state actor
International or transnational actor
Regional state actor

Mediator, facilitator or similar

Mediator or similar referred to

Mediator (references)

Guarantor: Federal Government of Somalia, Abdullahi Godah Barre

Type of mediator/facilitator/similar

Central state actor

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture)

No specific mention.

Grievance List

No specific mention.

Cattle rustling/banditry

No specific mention.

Social cover

No specific mention.

CENTRAL REGIONS STATE FORMATION AGREEMENT (MUDUG AND GALGADUG)

The beginning of July, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) invited to Mogadishu delegations from the Regional State of Galmudug, the Administration of Himan & Heeb and the Administration of Ahlu Sunna wal Jamaa.

The intention of the FGS in issuing these invitations was to create an opportunity for the residents of Galgadud and Mudug regions to unite and form an inclusive regional administration.

The government appointed a committee of FGS Cabinet members to lead the formation of this administration.

The members were:

I. Abdullahi Godah Barre,

Minister of Interior Affairs and Federalism.

2. Musfafa Sheikh All Dhuhulow, Minister of Information.

3. Duale Adam Mohamed,

Minister of Culture & Higher Education.

4, Mahad Mohamed Salad,

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs & Investment Promotion.

5. Ahrned Ali Salad,

Deputy Minister of Posts & Telecommunication.

The Federal Government began meeting with the above-mentioned parties and the regional ctans on July 2nd, 2014, The government held repeated consultative meetings with each side, and finally all parties agreed on the fundamental principles that will be employed to form an administration for Gafgadud and Mudug Regions,

2. The above menfioned

Recognizing, the need for a clear politica!

strategy to realize the establishment of legitimate governance structures based on the aspiration of the people and in accordance with the Provisional Constitution of the Federal Government of Somalia, which is clearly the people's desire.

• Affirming, the importance of promoting aft inclusive reconciliation, which leads to law and order, provision of essential services and strengthening of governance at district, state and federal levels.

• Respecting fully, the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Government of Somalia.

• Recognizing the necessary role of FGS in coordinating the process of forming an administration for Mudug and Galgadud Regions.

1. To form an administration for Mudug and Galgadud Regions.

2. To include ait the Somali clans that live together in Mudug and Galgadud Regions in the formation of the administration.

3. To appoint a 25-member technical committee representing all the clans that live in those regions.

The technical committee will be appointed within ten days of signing this agreement.

4. The administration that will be formed, while representing all the clans that reside in those two regions, will work in unity to fight against insurgents and ensure peace and harmony in those regions.

5. The process to create the administration will be completed within 60 days, and wiit be guided and facilitated by FGS.

6. To hold a conference, whereatl the clans from the regions of Mudug and Galgadud are represented, to create a regional administration for the two provinces.

7. FGS is responsible for ensuring the implementation and success of this agreement.

8. FGS will prepare the roles and responsibilities of the technical committee.

9. Anyone who sabotages the implementation of this process will be recognized as a rebel and will be dealt with accordingly.

10. This agreement is effective from the day it is signed,

11. Galmudug State Administration, Ahlu Sunna wal Jamaa Administration, Himan & Heeb Administration, and 4 Cabinet members originating from those regions will jointly sign this agreement.

By their signatures, all signatories acknowledge their support for the formation of an inclusive regional administration for the regions of Gatgadud and Mudug.

4. Names of Signatories:

Abdi Hassan Awale Qeybdid

Sheikh Ibrahim Sheikh Hassan Gureye

Galmudug [...]

Ahlu Sunna wal Jamaÿ Administration

Hfman & Heeb Admlnisfration

FGS

FGSZ

Abdulfahi Mohamed All (Barleh)

Mustafa Sheikh AJi Dhuhuiow

Duale Adam Mohamed

Ahmed All Salad (Tako) Mahad Mohamed Salad

Special Envoy for Somalia Ambassador Michele Cervone

European Union

Guarantor Federal Government of Somalia Abdutlahi Godah Barre

Witnesses

Special Envoy for Somalia Ambassador Muhammed Affey

Ambassador Nicholas Kay

Special Representative to Secretary General

Honorable Lydia Wanyofo Mutende

The Acting Special Representative and Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of African Union Commission

30 July, 2014

United Nations Office for Somalia (UNSOM)