NATURAL RESOURCE-BASED CONFLICTS AND COMMUNITY-LEVEL RESOLUTION MECHANISMS IN AFGOOYE DISTRICT, SOMALIA

Natural resource-based conflicts remain a pressing challenge globally, particularly where environmental degradation and resource scarcity intersect with fragile governance systems. In Somalia, pressures on land, water, and rangeland resources have intensified due to rapid population movements and recurrent environmental shocks. This study investigates the types of natural resource-based conflicts in Afgooye District and evaluates the effectiveness of existing community-level mechanisms for resolving such disputes. Anchored in Common-Pool Resource Theory and Social Disorganization Theory, the research employed a descriptive design within a predominantly quantitative approach. A stratified purposive sampling technique was used to select 86 informants across four sub-districts, based on their knowledge of resource conflicts and involvement in community affairs. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews, and analyzed using SPSS with descriptive statistics, including percentages and frequencies. Findings reveal that conflicts in Afgooye are most severe in relation to competition over land, followed by disputes over pasture, corroborating broader scholarly arguments that resource scarcity is a major driver of conflict. Conflict resolution in the district relies primarily on customary law (Xeer) and arbitration courts, with NGOs and civil society providing supplementary support, while third-party mediation enjoys moderate acceptance. The study recommends strengthening land governance, improving pasture and water management, and adopting a hybrid conflict resolution model that integrates Xeer with arbitration courts. Additional recommendations include capacity-building for elders and mediators, enhancing the role of NGOs and civil society in peacebuilding, legitimizing third-party mediation, promoting inclusive resource-sharing agreements among clans, and establishing community-level early-warning and rapid-response structures to prevent escalation. This study contributes to the literature on resource-based conflicts in fragile contexts by demonstrating the interplay between environmental scarcity, social structures, and community-level governance, offering insights for both empirical analysis and policy interventions in Somalia and comparable settings