Integrating Principles and Practices of Customary Law, Conflict Transformation and Restorative Justice in Somaliland

In Somaliland, customary law is primarily used to resolve clan and sub-clan conflicts and address certain criminal issues. After years of civil war, peace was established in Somaliland in May 1991 through the use of principles and practices of customary law. Examination of customary law’s relationship to international conflict transformation and restorative justice theory and practice is in the early stages. An integration of these methods of change needs further exploration for the purpose of informing local and global problem solving and the application of justice. The values that underlie these practices necessitate that special attention be paid to the potential bridge that restorative justice might provide between Somaliland’s customary law and civil law.