ABSTRACT
This chapter draws from Antti Pentikainen's experience directing reconciliation work in Somalia since 2007. he lessons learned reveal insights on how political legitimacy can be rebuilt in fragile states with the inclusion of traditional leaders – in this case, clan elders – and traditional reconciliation processes. Assisting traditional leaders and traditional processes in Somalia quickly became more effective in rebuilding permanent state institutions than previous, often UN-led state-building processes. Somalia provides a good test case for answering important questions about peacebuilding in the context of failed states. In Somalia, the clans practice a combination of customary and Islamic methods to resolve conflict such as sulh and conflict resolution mechanisms in the Xeer system. While these methods are distinct and come from different traditions – the former is religious and the latter secular – they are often complementary in practice.
