The Impact of Transitional Justice on Humanitarian Operations in Post-Conflict Somalia

Somalia’s protracted conflict and fragmented governance have severely hampered both state‑building and humanitarian relief. This paper examines how transitional justice (TJ) processes—specifically a formal reparations pilot under the National Reconciliation Framework (NRF) in Galmudug and a customary Xeer reconciliation in the Bay region—affect three dimensions of humanitarian access: physical corridors, community acceptance, and negotiation environments. Drawing on policy texts (UNSCR 1744, NRF briefs), OCHA incident data, and NGO operational reports, we apply a Justice–Humanitarian Nexus Model to trace the causal pathways linking TJ events to changes in access incidents, convoy delays, and local cooperation. Our findings show that the Galmudug reparations pilot corresponded with a 21 % reduction in security incidents and a 12 % drop in convoy delays by opening negotiated passage corridors and bolstering trust in formal institutions. Conversely, the Bay region’s Xeer ceremonies produced a 60 % decrease in recorded access incidents, driven by elder‑mediated safe‑passage endorsements and strengthened community buy‑in. We identify three mediating mechanisms—community trust, shifts in local power dynamics, and temporary “humanitarian pauses”—through which both formal and customary TJ modalities enhance operational efficiency. Finally, we offer practical recommendations for humanitarian planners: integrate TJ event calendars into logistical scheduling, embed justice‑sensitive markers within risk assessments, and establish joint coordination forums with reconciliation bodies. By aligning accountability measures with relief operations, actors can better anticipate access windows and reinforce both justice and life‑saving assistance in Somalia’s fragile recovery.