Sub-regional Organizations and Conflict Management in the Horn of Africa: Igad in Somali 1990-2004

Abstract

African regional and sub-regional organizations have taken up the role of conflict prevention and management owing to the fact that conflict in the horn of Africa usually forms a conflict system hence the need for a comprehensive management strategy. The issue of internationalization of conflict has brought many nations together to attempt and manage these conflicts. The African Union charter recognizes the efforts of sub-regional organizations in conflict management meaning that they have a big role to manage conflicts peaceful within their locality. IGAD sub-regional organization has contributed significantly to the management of conflicts in the horn of Africa. The region has been met with serious and enduring conflicts mainly the Sudan conflict and the Somalia conflict which is the focus of our study. IGAD has sought to resolve the Somali conflict through various conflict management strategies with mediation being the most preferred. IGAD has also faced serious challenges when dealing with the various actors and their interests both internally and especially externally that seem to manipulate the conflict management process for their own well-being at the expense of the Somali nationals hence complicating the whole process. The study also explores and critics the dynamics of IGAD's conflict management strategies within the horn of Africa with much focus on the two peace processes in Somalia the Arta peace process as endorsed by IGAD and the Mbagathi peace process as initiated by IGAD and concludes with recommendations that can help Somali attain the needed peace it deserves devoid of external manipulation.