For the last two decades, the Sheikhal and Makabul conflict has persisted causing loss of lives as well as properties. The Sheikhal are from the Hawiye clan while the Makabul belong to the Ogaden clan of the Somali community.  Both of these clans live in Hosingo Amuma and Waldena on the Kenya-Somalia border.

Peace II, a USAID supported project implemented on the Kenya-Somalia border, used trauma healing and social reconciliation sessions to help these communities to engage in dialogue on clan conflicts. The two clans would engage in arguments that led to physical confrontation. The conflict mainly impacts women and children, who are often the immediate victims and violated in periods of vengeance, with many raped and brutally killed.

After the trauma meetings, a mediation council of religious leaders was established at Hagadere refugee camp in Kenya (Amuma). Through the program, the warring clans got a medium for dialogue as the Mediation Council took responsibility for uniting them.  After several road side peace rallies aimed at advocating to the people the importance of Islamic brotherhood over ethnic priorities, the two clans agreed to engage in dialogue through the facilitation of the Mediation Council.  An agreement was signed in July 2011 and the parties agreed to end their differences.

Today the Sheikal and Makabul clans live peacefully and share resources. On a recent visit to Amuma, Sheikh Ibrahim Suudi, one of the renowned Islamic Imams from Dadaab commented: “We have been shown a light that has enabled us to love each other regardless of ethnic background.  After two decades of searching for unity, I am pleased that this is the ultimate solution.”  The signed agreement serves approximately 100,000 members of the two clans in Northern Kenya.

PEACE II program uses peace mediation councils selected by communities and other stakeholders to mitigate conflict between cross-border communities in the Horn of Africa. Mandera Mediation Council  is one of them.