Environmental Peacebuilding in Somalia: Civil society responses to environmental conflict

art by Nina Montenegro (USA)

Hassan Mowlid Yasin (Somali Greenpeace Association); Anwar Ahmed Roble (FinnSom Society)

Environmental degradation and climate change shocks are exacerbating conflict and insecurity in Somalia, but civil society organizations have successfully trialled cooperative mechanisms that use ecological action to support peace and security.

Context

During Somalia’s civil war, the environment was severely polluted. Even as the country has worked toward peace, natural resources have continued to be depleted unsustainably due to the lack of environmental regulation and policy implementation. Climate change shocks and unpredictable weather patterns have further reduced water and food availability.

Ongoing environmental degradation has caused drought, flood, and famine to become common. These environmental stressors have exacerbated local conflict and resource competition in the country. This circular relation between conflict and environmental destruction has been demonstrated through incidents like those described below.

1.     Conflict over territory has immediate implications for property rights and resource availability. In Southern Somalia, the AMISOM-supported government has fought with various militant groups for control of land. The resulting violence has displaced farmers, leading to food shortages. Local communities have clashed over limited vital resources, resulting in both property damage and loss of life.

2.     Contrasting views on how resources should be approached has led to deadly violence. In Galdogob, a man found another man cutting down trees that were a critical part of the local ecosystem. A confrontation that began as an attempt for environmental protection escalated, and the tree-cutter was tragically killed in self-defence. The environmental defender returned his body to his family and offered reparations. Sadly, occurrences like this are all too common, as long-term insecurity makes it incredibly difficult to peacefully resolve environmental tensions.

3.     Resource depletion has necessitated migration, causing community clashes. In central Somalia, pastoral communities have begun to move in search of pasture and water. Individuals and groups meet other communities looking for the same resources. Water sources and high-quality grazing land have become the site of frequent violence.

What’s been done

Recent efforts to address existing environmental issues in Somalia have included the Country Environmental Analysis, UNFCCC involvement, and numerous civil society initiatives. 

The Somalia Country Environmental Analysis (CEA) report is the product of a multidisciplinary effort led by the World Bank and country government that sought to (1) consolidate available and credible information on Somalia’s natural resource capital and (2) address knowledge gaps on the environmental factors affecting national growth. The CEA was developed using a scientific, data-driven approach. Literature reviews, primary data from national agencies, satellite imagery, remote sensing, and scientific methods such as water balance studies and vegetation assessments all contributed to its findings.

The Somali government has drafted its UNFCCC Nationally Determined Contribution for climate change planning and is engaging with COP26 and other international fora for climate action. Pillars identified in Somalia’s NDC include security and economic development as well as adaptation and mitigation measures to combat climate change impacts. National laws around environmental management and climate change adaptation are further supporting the NDC and international planning.

Local civil society organizations have played a major role in leveraging peace and security to improve environmental conditions. Understanding the relationships between these issues, CSOs have also used environmental programmes to further the peace and security agenda. Examples of these multifaceted efforts are highlighted below.

1.     Investing in collaborative security schemes improves the environment while reducing the likelihood of conflict. In Galkacyo, resource-related violence had become commonplace, especially between the north and south. At the instigation of a local peace organization, a new police force was formed with members from both sides; its aim was to collectively monitor the region and implement fair justice. The shared policing has proven to be incredibly successful, with no more conflict reported in the area.

2.     Environmental trainings build local capacity for climate adaptation while building relationships across groups. The Somali Greenpeace Association, FinnSOM, the Bergof Foundation, and others have held workshops on climate policy, sustainable resource use, and equitable benefit sharing. Communities are learning how environmental conservation improves outcomes. A particular focus on deforestation helps keep valuable ecosystems from being degraded for short-term gains. Trainings have taken place throughout the country, including in Galdog, Muqdisho, Baidoa, and Abduwak. Diverse attendance at the training means that local authorities are actively interacting with and learning from youth, women, older persons, and people from different communities.

Looking ahead

Addressing environmental concerns, mitigating climate-induced insecurities, and promoting peace requires actions by both the government and civil society. Based on recent lessons from the Somali experience, we recommend the following:

1.     National and regional governments should strengthen local conflict resolution mechanisms, creating processes that can help communities prevent, manage, and resolve environmental conflicts in a productive, peaceful, and equitable manner.

2.     Communities should make use of traditional knowledge to help overcome resource scarcity and adapt to climate change.

3.     Governments should support farmers in introducing new crops that are more resilient to climate change and that can help diversify agricultural production.

4.     Governments and civil society should partner with the private sector to develop climate-resilient job opportunities for young people, who are at risk of recruitment by militant groups.

5.     Governments should collaborate with civil society and local communities to co-develop environmental policies, resource plans, and water and sanitation services.