Abstract

This document presents a comprehensive analysis of interviews conducted with Somali traditional leaders regarding their roles, challenges, and practices in conflict resolution. The research explores the complexities of traditional leadership in Somalia, examining how customary law (Xeer) intersects with modern legal systems, Islamic principles, and contemporary political realities. Through detailed responses from eleven traditional leaders,  analysis revealed the multi-faceted nature of conflict resolution in Somalia and the critical challenges facing these traditional authorities. In Somalia, a clan-based system is the most powerful tool when it comes to the political issues, cultural practices, and all aspects of the entire social system. The clan system is amazingly adaptable in spite of nearly four decades from 1991 to the present, which led us turmoil and civilian unrest. Using this clan system, it is getting worse day by day and continuing to function. Clan protection issues hugely exist, especially in Al-Shabab-controlled areas and rural nomadic areas, and also urban areas are almost complex depending on several factors, but unfortunately affiliation to these major caste-based systems does not automatically provide social protection. Only religious issues are not negotiable in Somalia. On the matter of clans becoming more influential in the nation, decisions of movement, grazing zones, customs, compensating issues, and other domestic practices are made, but in Al-Shabab control areas, influence is very weak, while their control is stronger over the areas they control. For example, there is no violation, and taxes are collected from one place. This paper investigates the research on barriers of traditional leaders and conflict resolution mechanisms in Somalia, focusing on the situations of social management in family issues and land between conflict parts in southern Mogadishu. The study findings displayed the need of integration traditional leaders, politicians, and the community at large by strengthen unity, collaboration, and solidarity. The government should firmly recognize and support the traditional leaders' activities and recompense them. The government should establish institutions that operate peacefully, develop social awareness, foster future prosperity, respect for cultural diversity, and promote peaceful coexistence.