Water-based Conflict in Sool Region: Case Studies Jidbale Water Well and Dabardalol Water Well in Hudun District

Abstract

This paper examines the negative consequences and impacts of water-based conflict on the nomads in Sool Region, taking Jidbale Well and Dabardalol Well as case studies.

The Jidbale and Dabardalol water-based conflict between Jama Siyad and Ugadyahan who are two sub-clans that belong to the Dulbahante clan in Northeast State of Somalia, represents a critical case of resource-based armed conflict in this semi-arid part of Somalia, where access to drinkable water is vital for survival and livelihoods of the nomads and pastoralists from these two brotherly sub-clans, who hail from the same father – Siyad Mohamud.

 The two sub-clans fought over water utility and well management in December, 2020 and in April, 2021, while the author of this paper was based in Lasanod City and was the Coordinator of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Analysis of Nugaal University in Lasanod – the Headquarters of Sool Region, where he then closely followed the consequences of the said armed conflicts.

The two wells are Located in a drought-prone area in the semi-arid Sool Region in the northern part of Somalia – the current newly-established Northeast State of Somalia, where water scarcity incites intra-clan disputes.

Dabardalol Well serves as a key water source for surrounding pastoralists and nomads from the above-mentioned sub-clans. Over time, population pressure, environmental degradation and prolonged recurrent droughts have been intensifying competition over the well which is situated in the vicinity of Hudun District in Sool Region, resulting in periodic clashes between these two sub-clans vying for its control, water utility and tribal ownership of it, too.

This conflict was further exacerbated by the then weak governance structures, limited conflict resolution mechanisms and the absence of equitable water-sharing agreements between the said conflict actors and dispute stakeholders.

This paper explores the root causes of this armed conflict, the main driving factors, the conflict actors, the socio-political dynamics of the two conflicting sub-clans and the negative consequence of this intra-tribal armed conflict, including the death toll, the economic destruction it caused and also the massive displacement which resulted from this resource-based armed conflict.

 Also, the study examines the role of the traditional elders from Dulbahante clan, the role of academicians from the local community and the role of the then ruling Somaliland Administration in mediating and peacefully resolving this water-based armed conflict and promoting locally-led sustainable water management in order to get a durable solution to this resource-based conflict.

Finally, this paper which was presented at the International Conference on Water, Peace and Security – 27 – 28 October 2025, Water as a Catalyst for Peace and Cooperation that was organised and held in Nairobi by IHE DELFT Institute for Water Education Under the Auspices of UNESCO, highlights the challenges of water utility management, governance and peace-building in a fragile pastoralist setting, offering timely insights into the importance of all-inclusive dialogue and locally-rooted conflict resolution strategies for the sake of post-conflict transformation with the augmentation of the Somali customary law over water sharing because of community conflict prevention, conflict mitigation and conflict management at the state level. It is published by Horn of Africa Journal for Social Science with the official permission of the author and the organisers of the above-stated conference.