Inter-clan peace initiative in Mandera county: a case of Qurreh and Murulle communities from 1998 to 2012

Abstract

This study explores inter-clan peace initiatives between Gurreh and Murulle communities in Mandera County and its impact. The objectives of the study are to understand the conflict between the Gurreh and Murulle, to examine the peace initiatives that were employed and to explore the impact of peace initiatives on Gurre and Murulle. The study is informed by interpersonal harmony theory generated by Galtung that argues that interpersonal harmony is the most important micro-levels of social relations that an individual society engages in to promote peace. The emphasis of this theory is placed on two important pillars of conflict management which include education and socialization. The researcher further explores the causes of conflict between the two communities and establishes that scarcity of resources and availability of small arms has contributed to the incidences of conflict in one way or another. The study also explains the conflict management strategies that have been put in place to end hostilities between the warring communities. These include traditional methods of conflict management and resolutions, government interventions and civil societies contribution towards peace and reconciliations . The involvement of clan elders and third parties has generated long term peace building initiatives that have led to the political unity between the communities. Moreover, the peace accord known as UMUL accord was signed to end hostilities which have born fruit in the history of the peace process in Mandera County. The research used a qualitative method of data collection using secondary data from different library resources pertaining to the study. These were revised to obtain relevant information which was useful to the study. Oral interviews were also conducted to obtain information from the participants who were randomly selected. The study finds that among the peace initiatives employed to resolve the conflict between the communities under study, traditional methods of conflict resolution or traditional peace strategy were most successful. Based on the data collected, it is evident that community level dialogue is a tremendous instrument for creating and maintaining peace when pursued under the right circumstances.