HARGEISA — Somaliland’s history has shown that difficult challenges can be overcome through dialogue, cooperation and a shared sense of responsibility. During the peacebuilding process of the 1990s, traditional leaders, elders and local communities played an important role in restoring peace, rebuilding trust and bringing communities together, and that experience remains an important lesson for Somaliland today.
One of the challenges that still requires serious attention is harmful tribalism. Clan identity itself is not the problem because it has long been part of our society, helping communities maintain relationships, settle disputes and support one another. The problem begins when clan loyalty is placed above fairness, competence and the wider national interest.
When people are judged mainly by the clan they belong to rather than by their character, education, skills and ability, qualified people can lose opportunities and public institutions can become weaker. This is particularly damaging to young people, who should be able to believe that education, hard work and professional ability can open doors for them. When they instead come to believe that clan connections matter more than qualifications, confidence in institutions begins to decline.
Reducing tribalism does not require Somaliland to reject its traditions. What is needed is to use those traditions in ways that strengthen peace, unity and mutual respect. A Caaqil should be a voice for peace, a Sultan should encourage unity, and traditional leaders generally should remind their communities that supporting one’s own clan should never mean rejecting, insulting or harming another community.
Politicians and public institutions also have an important responsibility. Politics should be judged by ideas, policies and results, while citizens should be encouraged to ask what leaders can do about education, employment, healthcare, the economy and public services rather than focusing mainly on clan identity. Government institutions, in the same way, should give employment and public responsibility on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and fairness.
The effort must also begin within families, schools and the media. Children should grow up understanding that a person should be respected for character, knowledge and contribution, while schools should strengthen the idea that young people share a common future in Somaliland. The media can contribute by encouraging responsible public discussion and avoiding language that unnecessarily deepens divisions between communities.
Somaliland has already shown that dialogue and cooperation can overcome serious challenges, and the same spirit can help reduce harmful tribalism. We should gradually move away from asking “Which clan are you from?” and begin asking “What can you contribute to Somaliland?”
Tribalism will not decline through speeches alone. Real change will come when families, traditional leaders, politicians, government institutions, schools, the media and young people place fairness, competence and the national interest above narrow clan loyalty.
Clan identity can remain part of our social heritage, but Somaliland must remain our shared responsibility.
Next Part Two:
The Caaqil, Sultan and Ugaas: How Can Traditional Leaders Help Reduce Tribalism in Somaliland?
