Buloburte District Assessment

Table of Contents

Summary 3

Introduction 4

Methodology 5

Socio-Geographical and Economic Data 5

Overall Security And Conflict Situation 7

Relevant Actors 8

Institutions and State-building Dynamics 12

District Priorities 13

Conclusions and Recommendations 14

Annex 1: Pictures from Buloburte Consultations 16

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1. SUMMARY

Based on the field assessment and subsequent analysis of the collected data, the following key
findings were identified:

o Buloburte district has a relatively diverse population of clan communities. The district is
predominantly inhabited by the Hawiye (Hawadle, Baadi Adde, Gaalje’el, Habar Gedir,
Sheekhaal, Jejeele) and Jareer (Bantu) clans. The Arab Somali (Yemen origin) and
minority clans of Midgan are represented to a lesser extent.

o Al Shabaab (AS) has maintained a blockade of the town since 2014 that has severely
limited the movement of goods and people by road. The strong presence of AMISOM
and Somali National Army (SNA) forces in Buloburte has created contributed to relative
safety and has been welcomed by the community. Nevertheless, the on-going AS
economic blockade of the town has worsened the already poor social and economic
development in the district and could trigger and fuel minor clan disputes into wider
conflicts.

o The local district administration and the traditional community elders’ council are the two
of the most relevant actors in the district. While the makeup of the council is relatively
equitable among the larger clans, there remains a lack of representation from smaller
communities. Nonetheless, according to feedback from local residents, the relative
stability of Buloburte emanates from good relationships between local communities and
local authority. While the local administration is seen a legitimate authority, it has almost
no resources and very low institutional capacities to deliver the much needed services to
the community.

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 o The local communities' vulnerability to conflict has been reduced by the strong role of
the traditional community elders’ council. The council addressed grievances, tackling
conflict drivers, and supporting critical actors for peace building. There is no serious on-
going conflicts between the various clans in Buloburte and traditional community conflict
resolutions are only available mechanisms now available to resolve individual and
communal conflicts

o Like other districts in Somalia, Buloburte is relatively poor and its main drivers of
economy are local trade (agriculture and livestock) and remittance sent from abroad by
the Buloburte Diaspora.

o Access to critical social services such as education and health is extremely limited in
Buloburte. There are inadequate numbers of qualified medical professionals and a
shortage of essential medical supplies. Education rates, particularly for marginalized and
poor families, are very low as the district has only three privately owned primary and
secondary schools with approximately 250 students and one newly established university
with limited capacity in all aspects.

o Despite the lack of representation in the current local district administration, women play
a significant role in de-escalating conflict and addressing social needs of vulnerable
communities.

2. INTRODUCTION

The overall goal of the assessment is to conduct a Gendered Context Analysis for Buloburte
district in Hiraan region, HirShabelle State of Somalia. During the assessment, a team of two
researchers conducted consultative meetings and discussions with the key stakeholders in
Buloburte including; local authorities, traditional elders, youth, women groups and business
communities.

The specific objectives of the assessment were as follows:

o Examine the current Buloburte district socio-geographical and economic status; including
geography, demography, recent history, and the overall security situation;
o Identify the district relevant actors, their relationships, networks, capacities, incentive
structures and level of engagement;
o Explore the district institutions; their governance structures, political between groups,
role do women play in political competition – how is their role(s) conducted, justice
institutions and systems operating;
o To explore the district state dynamics in terms of political settlement, international
engagement, state and non-state actor effectiveness and state society relations;
o To conduct district conflict analysis by examining the actors, nature of conflict dynamics
and drivers of conflict;
o Finally to identify the district priorities and who defines each priority.

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3. METHODOLOGY

The following methods were employed to achieve the assessment objectives:

o A planning meeting was held on 5 th October 2017 in order to discuss the scope,
methodology and objectives of the assessment. The meeting resulted in a preliminary
overview of the main research topics of Buloburte district. In addition, the meeting
produced a final version of instruments and a work plan for completing the assessment;

o The assessment utilized a mix of focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant
interviews (KIIs) that were conducted utilizing SSF Tool questionnaire; Gendered
Context Analysis Template District/Region Assessment Report from GESI Strategy for
SSF II - April 27 2017;

o In addition, Buloburte district key informants were also identified; consisting of 7 key
district officials, local authority (KII); 11 traditional community leaders/elders council
members (KII and FGD), 25 youth groups members (FGD); 11 women group leaders
(FGD); 10 business people (FGD) and 12 minority group members (FGD);

o Desktop research conducted to collect relevant available data about the historical and
current socio-economic situation;

o Field visit to Buloburte District took place between 7th to 12thOctober 2017 communities.
Due to the presence of AS outside of Buloburte town, the assessment team conducted
their work within the town only.

4. SOCIO-GEOGRAPHICAL & ECONOMIC DATA

Buloburte town is located 200 km north of Mogadishu and is situated along the Shabelle River. It
is the center of the Buloburte District, and the second largest town in Hiraan after the provincial
capital Beletweyne.

Since 2009, AS maintained control of Buloburte and much of Hiraan. In March 2014, Somali
National Army (SNA), assisted by AMISOM troops, captured the town from AS. The offensive
was part of an intensified military operation by the AMISOM/SNA to remove the insurgent
group from the remaining towns in southern Somalia under its control.

Geography
The main road from Mogadishu passes through the town thereby linking the region to the
northern parts of the country. Irrigated agriculture is not well developed in this area partly
because of poor soils and a deep river valley, which makes irrigation, by gravity difficult.

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Although Buloburte town lies on both sides of the river, floods rarely affect it as the river flows
through a deeply incised valley.
The mean annual rainfall at Buloburte is 328 mm, far less than the annual potential
evapotranspiration, which is in excess of 1 800 mm. Like many others parts in Somalia, the area
has moisture deficit in most months of the year. Temperatures are high throughout the year,
ranging between 21C to 34C.

The main underground strategic

water sources within Buloburte town
and the district are shallow wells and
boreholes.

Populations living along the riverine

areas of Shabelle rely on the river for
domestic and agricultural water
demands.

Demography
Buloburte district has a total
population of around 89,120
residents according to UNDP
Map of Buloburte town with bridge inset
(2005), of which 20,500 inhabitants
live in Buloburte town. Buloburte is cosmopolitan town with multi-clan diversity and
predominantly inhabited by people from the Somali clan groups of Hawiye (Badi’ade, Gaalje’el
and Hawadle sub clans) and Jareer (Bantu). The Arab Somali (Yemen origin) and the Midgan are
represented in the local population but to a lesser extent. 1 While the Jareer community is
engaged primarily in the agriculture sector, the other clans are involved in a livestock and/or
other commodities trading.

The town is broadly divided into seven sections: namely, Indha-ceel, Hanti-wadag, October,
Bog-abeso, Madina, Wadajir and Bulo-bari. Each of the seven sections mentioned above is
further sub-divided in three smaller sections each. No specific clan inhabits one section of the
town as the various clans live throughout all district sections.

Economy
The main economic resources of the district are the livestock and agriculture sectors. The Jareer
community derives it primary sources of income from farming whereas the other clans operate in
the livestock and general trade sectors. Both sectors produce have been adversely affected by
droughts, conflict and AS threats. However, there are some economic activities that sustain the
modest economy in the Buloburte district.

The main source of income for residents comes from the local trade and consumption of
livestock (meat, milk, and hides) and agriculture products (grains, fruits, vegetables). The second
main economic driver is trading of various commodities such as food, textiles, construction
materials and export of livestock via Beletweyne and the northern port of Bosaso. Although the
1
Buloburte, Wikipedia

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impact of the Al Shabaab blockade of the town has reduced income for people who rely on trade
to the north.

The third main economic driver is remittances sent from abroad by the Diaspora to support
relatives. The Diaspora plays an important role in the economic and social development of the
district as elsewhere in Somalia. The district’s economy is boosted by Diaspora funds that are
invested in small and medium scale businesses. In addition, Diaspora resources go to support
social services such as clinics, schools, and a borehole.

Due to chronic neglect and years without a central government, existing infrastructure is
dilapidated. There is only one main tarmac road that was built during the Siad Barre regime. The
pockmarked road passes through the district and is the primary south-north connector in Somalia.
The Buloburte airport is not functional at the moment. The airport is at the outskirts of Buloburte
town and was badly damaged during the civil war. Local authorities, in cooperation with
AMISOM and a cross section of local communities, constructed a small murrum airstrip. The
airstrip serves commercial airlines, UN, and AMISOM flights. It is seen as the town’s one
lifeline due to the on-going Al Shabaab blockade of the town.

There are three small markets in Buloburte town that trade in imported products, livestock, and
agriculture. In addition, local construction companies and/or materials suppliers are locally
available and accessible. The locals’ purchasing power is very low and the district population
mainly depends on humanitarian aid which itself is very limited. According to the district elders’
council, WFP’s supplementary food program supports 6,500 families through Mercy Corps USA
and has greatly reduced the severe food shortage in the district.

5. OVERALL SECURITY AND CONFLICT SITUATION

The overall security situation in Buloburte is currently stable but there is still a significant threat
from AS who are 10 kms from the outskirts of the town. AMISOM’s Djibouti contingent and
SNA forces, majority of them drafted from the local clans in the district, maintains security in
around the district.

Buloburte had been one of the major AS strongholds in central Somalia for five years until
March 2014 when the group was dislodged from the town by the collective efforts of the SNA
and AMISOM. Shortly after, AS began a blockade of the town that continues until today. The
blockade prevents trade and population movement to and from Buloburte town, thereby cutting
the town off from critical north/south destinations such a Mogadishu and Beletweyne. This siege
has worsened already perilous food insecurity in the area resulting in sharp increases in staple
food prices. Despite the above-mentioned challenges, humanitarian actors are playing greater
role in health and livelihood sectors although humanitarian crises is still acute.

Security is a priority in Buloburte, where the general public assists the SNA and AMISOM
forces with security information about people’s movements in around Buloburte town.
Traditional elders also serve as active security providers in Buloburte, where the individuals
interviewed in the assessment identified elders as the preferred entity for dealing with civil

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disputes and serious crimes. They were also identified as the most trusted entity for responding
to domestic violence incidents.

Drivers of conflict
Assessment respondents identified competition over resources and family disputes as the primary
drivers of conflict in the Buloburte. Land-related disputes have substantially increased since the
collapse of the Somali central government in 1991, because of a lack of courts and enforcement
mechanisms.

“Most violence in our community is due to land-related disputes, whether concerning settlement,
grazing or farming land. The communities surrounding the town are mainly pastoral
communities, and most arguments occur during the dry season, when everyone is seeking to
secure subsistence means for their families”2
Both key informants and focus group discussants regarded clan revenge mechanisms as central
to the propagation of violence and conflict in the district. According to participants in the youth
focus group discussions, clans remembered killings for several years, and members of the
perpetrator’s clan may be unexpectedly killed for compensation. Assessment respondents,
mentioned crime, youth violence, lack of justice and family disputes as possible triggers for clan
conflict.

6. RELEVANT ACTORS

Local district administration

The members of the local administration are individuals selected by respective communities,
representing the various pre-dominant clans.

Below is the district administration organizational structure:

District Mayor District Commissioner

Deputy district finance Deputy disrict political

District secretary
and administrtion and security affairs

The Hawadle sub-clan of Hawiye holds three out of the six mentioned above positions. The
Jareer (Bantu) are also well represented in the district administration. The minority communities
of the Arab and Midgan are not represented in the current administration structure. Youth
represent majority of the district administration official members. The Buloburte District
Commissioner is in his early 30s.

2
Traditional leader and a religious leader

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The local communities are supportive of the current Buloburte district administration as this
came out clearly during FGDs conducted with the cross section of community members; the
youth, women groups, the local business, traditional community elders.

Traditional Elders
The traditional community elders’ council members are drawn from all the clans. The elders’
council is made up of 11 males and its responsibilities include:

o Support the local district administration

o Promote community dialogue and reconciliation
o Support awareness campaigns among community
o Assist in prioritizing community needs and assist in service delivery
o Promote public safety
o Conflict mediation and domestic violence

Somali elders are practitioners in reconciliation, deriving their authority from being delegates of
their communities and accountable to them. The district has no functional court justice system at
the moment. The local district administration and traditional elders’ council handle criminal
cases. The elders’ council is perceived as a body that is able to dispense swift, inexpensive legal
solutions that are seen as fair and avoid longer, more costly trips to state courts in other parts of
the region.

The Xeer traditional dispute resolution and customary justice system in the district is widely
recognized as a code of conduct for settling disputes and keeping the peace between clans and
sub-clans. In June 2015, resource based conflict erupted between the sub-clans of the Jareer/
Garjante and the Hawiye/ Gaalje’el. The conflict resulted in 10 dead and mass displacement of
the local population further complicating humanitarian crises in the region. The traditional clan
elders in Buloburte played a vital role in de-escalating the conflict and led the mediation process.
The elders negotiated a ceasefire agreement between the protagonists. The root cause of the
conflict is yet to be addressed since the traditional elders cannot travel to the disputed land for
sustainable mediation due to the AS threat therefore, possibility of conflict relapsing is very
high3. Members of the traditional elders involved in conflict resolution reported receiving threats
from AS.

The local district administration and the traditional elders’ council have a cordial and working
relationship based on mutual cooperation and respect. The local administration regularly consults
with the elders’ council in matters that affect security, humanitarian engagement, service
delivery, and awareness campaigns.

Despite no women representatives in either institution, both the local administration and elders’
council members have claimed to be as ‘gender equality social inclusion champions’.
Nevertheless, the sections of the community consulted for this assessment indicated that the
current district administration members have demonstrated a positive attitude towards women’s
rights and that they do not discriminate either against members of traditionally marginalized or
socially excluded groups.
3
Key informant, Chairperson of the traditional elders in Buloburte, interviewed on 8/10/2017

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Role of Women and Youth
Women are seen to play a greater role in ending conflict and the local population praises their
lobbying activities in conflict de-escalation. “Women raise contributions for conflict affected
families and without them things could be worse as men are busy for their own businesses” 4.
Women members of the FGDs pointed out that women, elderly and children were particularly
vulnerable to the outcomes of conflict. They also highlighted the fact that women lose menfolk
due to conflicts hence making them susceptible to violence and abuse because those who could
defend them were killed. IDPs agreed that women were especially at risk, adding that the poor
faced similar challenges as they usually lack the financial means to afford transportation to more
secure environment.

Local youth and women community-based organizations are very active and are principally
engaged in public awareness raising, peace activities, hygiene and sanitation in the district on
voluntary basis. Occasionally, they receive financial support from the local businesses. They do
not receive any kind of assistance from international organizations. Similarly, they have not
been provided any supported by the local administration and traditional elders.

The Buloburte Women’s Group is seen as effective and well organized. According to one KII,
“Women participated temporary shelters contraction to the displace families regarding the
conflict between the Garjante sub-clan of Galje’el and Eyle sub-clan of Jareer (Somali Bantu).”5
However, women face numerous challenges including lack of support and motivation from the
local authorities. Limited female representation in district political, social and economic
activities limit the full potential for enhancing their role in conflict transformation.

According to youth group consulted, youth suffer from high rates of illiteracy, lack of economic
opportunities, breakdown of family and social ties and other cultural inhibitions. Over 70% of
the youth in Somalia are under the age 30. The average unemployment rate for people aged 15-
64 is 54% while the unemployment rate of youth aged 15-29 is 67%, which is one of the highest
in the world.

Private Sector
In many ways, the business sector has been one of the few sources of stability since the collapse
of the district, meeting many of the latter’s responsibilities, such as the provision of services like
water, electricity and telecommunications. Through these services, business interests have been a
driving force for peace, stability and the rule of law. In other instances, war economies and
competing interests have emerged that perpetuate violence and lawlessness.

Somalia's civil war means the existence of relationships between Somali businesses and parties
to the conflict, such as clan conflicts and the Islamist insurgency group al-Shabaab, are not
always easy to determine. These matters are of particular sensitivity, given the importance for
relief agencies of upholding humanitarian principles, particularly neutrality and independence,
and not falling foul of the sanctions regime. In all cases, businesses pay a high price for the
absence of government, most obviously in the high overheads they pay for security.

4
District authority member
5
Member of business community

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African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)
AMISOM plays a key role in supporting the SNA troops fight against AS. Allied anti-Shabaab
forces currently control part of Buloburte district. Hiraan region falls under AMISOM Sector
Four contingent of Djibouti (Hiil-walaal). The SNA’s strong ties with AMISOM facilitate the
sharing of intelligence information, food rations and military arsenal. The residents of the town
have a positive view of AMISOM troops.

Somalia National Army (SNA)

SNA operates in the district and fights alongside AMISOM against AS. Majority of SNA force
members originate from Buloburte district, which is one of the reasons the community is highly
supportive of SNA. The on-going AS blockade of the town reinforces the tight relationship
between the town and the SNA. SNA forces have checkpoints at both entries of the bridge. There
are no reports of SNA predatory behavior against the local population, as has been reported in
others areas of southern Somalia.

The SNA assist in apprehending criminal culprits since there are no district courts or functioning
police force in place. The district administration closely works with SNA while the traditional
clan elders provide domestic violence management through Xeer system. According to the
Buloburte DC, communities voluntarily rehabilitated the district court justice office but due to
the lack of judicial expertise the office remains idle.

Al Shabaab (AS)
Currently, AS controls most of Buloburte district except Buloburte town. Anti-AS feelings run
deep in the town, in large part due to the damaging effects of the blockade and memories of the
harsh rule when they controlled the area. AS operations also affect the district’s economy, as
business opportunities are hindered through restricted mobility. For instance, the transportation
of merchandise outside town had become remarkably expensive, due to the need for commodity
smuggling in fear of AS militia. According to the respondents, local population can no longer
practice farming due fear of persecution from AS. This has fundamental repercussions on the
economic welfare of the community, as the majority of the population historically depended on
farming activities to secure livelihoods.

International and Local NGOs

There are three international non-government organizations present in the district, Mercy USA,
Save the Children and Relief International. All are engaged in provision of health care services,
nutrition, food security and livelihood projects. Two national NGOs, ZAMZAM Foundation and
WARDI, are also critical providers of social services. Smaller local community-based
organizations have very limited capacity and mainly engaged in awareness raising activities in
WASH, peace and reconciliation.

7. INSTITUTIONS AND STATEBUILDING DYNAMICS

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The clan forms a major marker of identity and societal values and according to one of traditional
elders’ council member in Buloburte;

“The clan in Somalia is above everything else; above political parties, religion and any
ideology. Most social problems are addressed through the clan system. The clan is both a
uniting and dividing factor. Every Somali traces his origin to the family and sub-clan and
clan.”

The Buloburte district administration was established based on political settlement between the
clans in the district with substantial political power resting with the Hawadle, Jareer, Badi’ade,
and Gaalje’el. Although both the district commissioner and district mayor are from the Hawadle,
all major sub-clans are represented in the district administration. Of particular note is the
enhanced political clout of the Jareer community after the departure of AS in 2014. The
traditional farmers were seen weak and have often been victims of the conflict in the past. As a
result, AS was able to recruit from among the group within Hiraan and beyond. Unlike Jareer
communities in other areas, those who reside in Hiraan are better armed and organized.
Therefore, the HirShabelle authorities made a conscious effort to ensure Jareer representation in
the district government.

According to the local administration members and a cross section of the communities consulted,
there are no overt tensions relating to power distribution among the various sub-clans. The
minority community of the Midgan continues to experience social and political marginalization
in Somalia and their absence from Buloburte’s political administration is not surprising.
Somalia’s volatile political situation serves to discourage marginalized communities from
claiming political rights and Buloburte is not an exception to this observable fact. In addition,
women’s role in the political competition in the district is very minimal, as evidenced their
current zero representation in both district administration and traditional elders’ council.

State and non-state actors effectiveness

The district administration does not have the capability and the resources to provide the primary
basic social services to the local communities. Maintaining peace and security is their current
priority and requires the district’s partnership with AMISOM and SNA forces in maintaining law
and order.

The local authority does not have taxation system in place and no levies are imposed in the
district except for $150 and $200 airport customs tax at the murrum airstrip charged to daily
commercial or khat flights respectively. The members of the district administration and elders’
council do not get paid and work on a voluntary basis.

There are no publically provided health care centers in Buloburte. The private health care system
includes general practitioners based in a private clinic and a number of pharmacies where there
are only few certified pharmacists. According health officers at Mercy USA and Relief
International, the most common diseases identified are diarrhea, malaria, malnutrition and
pneumonia. Majority of women in the district suffer from lack of services and access.

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Limited access to education is a serious challenge faced in Buloburte. The district has three
privately owned primary and secondary schools and one newly established university. Local
intellectuals established these private institutions with limited capacity in all aspects.

Access to education of both boys and girls remains a big challenge. Learning spaces are
insufficient and inadequate. The provision of quality education is severely constrained by the
lack of qualified teachers. In primary schools, most teachers are untrained and unpaid; attracting
qualified teachers into the primary schools is a major challenge.

There are currently no functioning public electricity or water provision systems in Buloburte.
There exist three privately owned power generators, operating from 0800 to 1300 and from 1800
to 2200. There are three privately owned water wells that serve as the main sources for the
district water supply. Water consumed in the district is unpurified therefore, making the local
population susceptible for water borne diseases.

There is no well-structured recreational infrastructure in the district although an open public land
is currently used as a football pitch.

Like elsewhere in Somalia, there are internally displaced persons (IDPs) and widespread poverty
in the district that is further acerbated by AS blockade. The majority of IDPs are living with the
host communities. Successive droughts and conflict have contributed to the migration patterns in
the area.

State-society relations
The relationship between societal groups and government institutions at the district level is good
based on mutual understanding and cooperation. The district’s stability, as a newly recovered
area, is dependent on the relatively positive acceptance of the local administration. Both local
administration and communities consulted pointed out that without such a relationship, AS
would have been controlling authority for Buloburte town. The relationship between the political
and military elite and the business community is also very good and cordial in maintaining
stability in Buloburte town.

8. DISTRICT PRIORITIES

The local administration, traditional elder council, private sector, women and youth groups
identified the priorities stated below, in order of importance, during this assessment discussion.

a. Essential local infrastructure

o Road rehabilitation
o Airstrip construction
o District community hall construction
o Meat market rehabilitation
o Sports facilities development
o Installation of street lighting

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b. Essential social services

o Strengthen district health care system by providing adequate medical supplies

o Construction of Buloburte public school building for both primary and secondary
learners
.
c. Livelihoods and Food Security

o Construction of district livestock market

o Improve farmer production and business skills.
o Improve farming practices; use of inputs, mechanization, soil and water management.

d. Governance and administration

o Strengthen district administration institutions through capacity building and technical

support.
o Facilitating civil dialogue, reconciliation meetings, and the formation of district peace
and stability peace committee.

9. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

While Buloburte district is relatively stable within the town, there are continued threats from AS
who control the area outside. The local administration is seen as the legitimate authority and is
widely accepted and supported by the locals. The traditional community elders’ council plays a
pivotal role in prevention and reducing community conflicts. For that reason, Buloburte district
warrants immediate humanitarian and development interventions to ease their burden and
solidify and sustain the current peace and stability in the district.

There are considerable opportunities to strengthen the relations between societal groups and
district institutions. SSF programs can directly enhance the local administration’s institutional
capacity in providing necessary skills to enhance better public service delivery with the provision
of consensus building workshops between the district stakeholders.

SSF programs can provide opportunity to enhance effective local political participation so that
all sections of the population feel that they are part of the society, including women, young
people and marginalized groups. The local district administration and traditional elders’ council
are the two institutions that should be engaged with in matters concerning peace, humanitarian
and development in the district.

Below are peace-building and state-building recommendations based on the key findings and
analysis of gendered context analysis:

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o Support the improvement of basic district administrative capacity and a functioning civil
service to enable them provide the required basic services to the communities;
o Support to political governance by building district leadership capacities of key decision-
makers and executives, traditional leaders and civil society;
o Support local “democratic dialogue” and multi-stakeholder processes;
o Assist the development of conflict and governance crisis-response capacities;
o Support early recovery, critical infrastructure, employment generation, and livelihoods
restoration;
o Support the enhancement of gender inclusion in district engagement relating to socio-
political and economic improvement.

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