By Adan Mohamed - Reporter
June 24, 2026 - A new wave of peace and reconciliation is taking shape in Gofa and surrounding areas of Mandera North and Mandera South, as members of the Garre and Degodia communities work to rebuild trust after years of conflict, insecurity, and displacement.
For years, Gofa and nearby villages stood as symbols of instability. Recurring inter-community clashes and prolonged drought forced families to flee their homes in search of safety and survival. Once vibrant settlements filled with pastoral activity and daily life were left deserted, with homes abandoned and livelihoods disrupted.
However, a different story is now emerging. Recent peace monitoring visits by the Department of Community Cohesion and Conflict Management indicate encouraging progress in restoring peace and strengthening coexistence between the two communities.
The engagements brought together elders, youth, women leaders, religious leaders, and community peace committee members from both communities to assess peace efforts and strengthen local structures created to prevent conflict.
Community leaders reported marked improvements in relations between the two groups, citing stronger communication, better coordination, and a growing willingness to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than confrontation.
In Gofa and neighbouring villages, residents say trust is slowly being restored after years of tension driven largely by competition over scarce resources such as water and pasture.
Families that once fled due to insecurity and harsh drought conditions are gradually beginning to return, raising hopes for recovery in one of Mandera's most fragile corridors.
One of the clearest signs of progress was seen in villages that had previously been nearly empty due to insecurity. Areas once marked by fear and displacement are now witnessing renewed interactions, reconciliation meetings, and collective peace efforts between the two communities.
Shukri Hajji Abass, a resident of Qorobo village in Mandera South, welcomed the growing peace and cooperation, saying resource sharing between communities has greatly improved, particularly in access to water and grazing areas, which have long been key triggers of conflict.
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Ismail Sheikh Hussein from Gofa village also highlighted the growing role of grassroots peace committees in helping resolve disputes early before they escalate into violence.
Abdirizak Mukhtar from the Department of Community Cohesion and Conflict Management described the progress as a major step forward but cautioned that sustaining peace will require continued commitment from all stakeholders.
"While the progress we are witnessing is encouraging, maintaining lasting peace will require continuous dialogue, trust-building, and cooperation among all communities. We must continue working together to protect the gains achieved and ensure conflicts are resolved through peaceful means," he said.
The Department, however, praised both communities for embracing reconciliation and committing to peaceful coexistence.
Officials emphasised that sustainable peace in Gofa and surrounding areas will depend on continued collaboration between community elders, youth, women, religious leaders, and local administrators.
As calm gradually returns, Gofa is increasingly becoming a symbol of hope—showing that even after years of conflict, displacement, and hardship, peace remains possible when communities choose dialogue over division.