SOMALIA TO DISCARD ITS HISTORY & NATIONAL HERITAGE

https://ismailwarsame.blog/2019/03/19/somalia-to-discard-its-history-heritage/

PROVISIONAL FEDERAL CONSTITUTION OF THE SOMALI REPUBLIC

The Provisional Federal Constitution of Somalia adopted a democratic system of government with checks and balance of power between three branches of government. Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) has three levels of governance: 1. Shared level (dawladda dhexe) 2. A Federal Member State (Dawladd-Gobolleed) or FMS. 3. Local District Council (Gole deegaan). Like any other similar federal system, the first two levels have their own separate constitutions and three branches of government. Sovereignity remains with the Central Government of the Somali Republic. The system is still evolving and needs further work in harmonizing the constitutions. Formation of FMS must satisfy the requirement of unification of two regions or more to be constitutionally legitimate. A FMS has powers expanding into regions and districts within the state.

Contrary to the behavior of the Somalia’s current President, the Executive Powers of the Government rest on the Cabinet and powers of the President and Prime Minister are clearly spelled out in the Federal Constitution. The President appoints the Prime Minister, but he cannot fire him. Only the Parliament has power to fire both the President and Prime Minister.

In summary, Somali Federal Constitution is similar to that of USA. The President of a FMS is the same as the Governor of a US state, who is elected to a fixed term in Office. Similarly, in Somalia the Federal Authorities cannot fire or appoint a FMS President, in the same way US President cannot do. Political agreements between FGS and FMS are by consensus similar to the case of Canadian Federalism. In many ways, Federal Constitution has similarities with that of UK and Northern Ireland system of government with strong devolution of power to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Economic resources and fiscal responsibilities are shared by special arrangements, agreements between Central Government and Federal Member States by consensus. Unlike ethnic federalism of Ethiopia, the central authorities in Somalia have no much sway in internal affairs of FMS.

Finally, Somali Federal Constitution came about as a de facto (not de jure), following the civil war and the re-instatement of Central Somali Government accepted that reality on the ground into the Federal Constitution. It was the only way to try to restore lost trust between warring clans.

Still, some portions of Somali people believe that a form of federalism called “Confederalism” is the best option. They say Somali clans by nature are confederal entities like Darood, Hawiye, Dir etc. What suits them most is the confederalism of Swiss type, where Cantons has most powers and an elected Prime Minister (Cabinet) has the Executive Powers of the Government, while the Presidency is a rotating ceremonial role between Cantons.

Ongoing controversy on the Somali Constitution, if not resolved soon, may lead to the breakup of Somalia. It is a dangerous crossroad for Somalia’s survival as a state. Warning. Let us act now.

[This article has been updated since posting].

DIASPORA WRITERS AND INTELLECTUALS HAVE LOST IN TOUCH WITH REALITY IN SOMALIA

https://ismailwarsame.blog/2021/10/22/diaspora-writers-and-intellectuals-have-lost-reality-touch-in-somalia/

HASSAN SHEIKH MOHAMUD: CONFRONTATION AND BRINKMANSHIP STYLE

warsame digital media's avatarWarsame Policy & Media Network (WAPMEN)

Yesterday it was Jubaland Administration to confront and withstand the tribal agenda of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (HSM). Today it is Puntland Federal member to stop him carrying out Mogadishu power grab, proving to all that his political slogan “Somalia in peace within itself and with the rest of the world” was an empty phrase and deception designed to buy time before he unleashes his despotic and destructive demons against peaceful development of Somalia, its institution-building and collective approaches to Somalia’s governance. HSM’s confrontational style of governance is unraveling the hard-won gains of Somalia’s devolution of power. Already he dismantled the Executive Powers of the Cabinet and turned the Parliament into either disabled or rubber-stamp to have any say in important national affairs, while in the process he has been exercising maximum levels of nepotism, cronyism and marginalization. To know more, please read this recent article below:

https://ismailwarsame.blog/2022/09/16/why-somalia-is-hard-to-run/

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HASSAN SHEIKH MOHAMUD: CONFRONTATION AND BRINKMANSHIP STYLE

Yesterday it was Jubaland Administration to confront and withstand the tribal agenda of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (HSM). Today it is Puntland Federal member to stop him carrying out Mogadishu power grab, proving to all that his political slogan “Somalia in peace within itself and with the rest of the world” was an empty phrase and deception designed to buy time before he unleashes his despotic and destructive demons against peaceful development of Somalia, its institution-building and collective approaches to Somalia’s governance. HSM’s confrontational style of governance is unraveling the hard-won gains of Somalia’s devolution of power. Already he dismantled the Executive Powers of the Cabinet and turned the Parliament into either disabled or rubber-stamp to have any say in important national affairs, while in the process he has been exercising maximum levels of nepotism, cronyism and marginalization. To know more, please read this recent article below:

https://ismailwarsame.blog/2022/09/16/why-somalia-is-hard-to-run/

WHY DEEDS OF OLDER HANDS AND GENERATIONS STAND OUT?

It feels nostalgic to older men and women remembering good old days, and it causes a feeling of reverence and respect from younger generations to think about the noble deeds of older men, who are often regarded as heroes, founders and pioneers. There are numerous dead men and women that permanently command respect and gratitude. I, sometimes, stop to think why?

I think the reason they were what they were is, among other things, that they had better human values than we do today. For sure, they were hard working as life was tougher then. They earned every penny through the hard way. They were innovators and knew how to compromise in solving problems and make life better for everyone. They were also brutal in pursuit of their dreams for success, including exploitation of man. They are remembered for their exploits on earth, including enslaving others. They were good men as well as evil human being. But, they stand out from the crowd of their time. They made history and left their footprints on earth. Evil or good, they are role models for different crowds of people in every nation. They still live within each of us. They are still shaping up our world -they are still in-charge.

Here in Somalia, boys are constantly reminded that they will never catch up with the characters and qualities of their forefathers. We reluctantly accept this popular notion of underestimating today’s younger generations. But today’s life challenges are different in nature from those of older generations. Today’s world is global, interconnected and interdependent, demanding collective approaches to solving common problems of diseases, ignorance and poverty. COVID-19 is the shining example that an outbreak of virus in Wuhan, China, is life-threatening danger in New York City, USA. Life is, somehow, easier living today than the time of our forefathers. Still, we are obsessed and seized by their spirit, and sometimes, haunted by their ghosts.

DOCUMENTING WORKING RELATIONS BETWEEN FGS AND PUNTLAND STATE

SOMALILAND: WDM EDITORIAL

WHY SOMALILAND FORCEFUL OCCUPATION OF LAASCAANOOD IS NOT IN ITS BEST INTEREST

The main reason Somaliland Administration stays in Sool Region is its pursuit of unilateral secession from Somalia. That attempt has now hit the rocks, and it is unlikely that will ever happen as long as people of Somalia don’t allow it. Now the meager economy of Somaliland cannot sustain prolonged forceful occupation of Sool Region with its residents struggling for peace and freedom for the long haul. firstly, the ongoing uprising in Laaska (Laascaanood) has clearly demonstrated to Somalis, and the world at large, that Somaliland is an occupying entity against the will of the residents there.

Secondly, by suppressing the uprising in Laascaanood, Somaliland has irreversibly lost its territorial claim to Sool Region based on lame excuse of long-gone British Protectorate colonial border. After all, this is Dhulbahante/Harti land. No one within the international community would entertain Somaliland quest for secession after what has happened in Laascaanood recently, unless the world is suddenly ready to recognize every tribe or clan in Africa to form own sovereign state.

Thirdly, repression against residents of Laascaanood will entail gross human rights violations for which the leaders of Somaliland Regime will be held accountable in a court of law inside, and possibly, outside Somalia.

Somaliland is, therefore, better advised to vacate Sool Region peacefully in an exercise for damage control for crimes against humanity in abusing unarmed population.

WDM EDITORIAL BOMBSHELL REVELATION

BINDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN TRANSITIONAL FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF THE SOMALI REPUBLIC AND PUNTLAND STATE OF SOMALIA ON RESOURCES AND POWER-SHARING, INSTITUTIONAL AND CAPACITY- BUILDING

This Agreement is as valid and binding between parties today as it was in 2007. Puntland State entered into this Agreement with the Federal Government, on behalf of then existing and future FMS. There is no legal venue for FGS today to ignore this solemn undertaking. Puntland State and every FMS has the legal right to demand for implementation of this official document.

MAXAA KA JIRA DHANKA FGS IYO PUNTLAND

PUNTLAND GOVERNMENT HAS FINALLY RUN OUT OF PATIENCE TO REACT TO RECKLESS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA

PUNTLAND GOVERNMENT HAS FINALLY RUN OUT OF PATIENCE TO REACT TO RECKLESS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA

MODERN SOMALI SAYING: TRUTH CANNOT CATCH UP WITH RUNAWAY LIE

Fake news flies faster than not only supersonic speed, but it also has more staying powers than the truth. Only yesterday at least two grown-up college graduates I knew well bought the fake news that Puntland State was planning to seceed from rest of Somalia, and that it was issuing its own passport.

As alarming as that may sound, I also had a chance to strike a conversation with 25-year old girl from Buhoodle. She not only seemed to know little to nothing about Puntland history, but surprisingly she has a well rehearsed version of Dr Ali Khalif Galaydh’s sinophobic notion about Puntland and Majeertaine. She also didn’t know that Khatumo was a failed administration whose leaders had finally sold their souls to the Hargeisa Administration. I, as well, know that most Dhulbahante men and women think that Khatumo and Dhulbahante are synonymous, despite the fact that many “Dholos” were opposed to the idea of “Khatumo”.

Cayn Region or Buhoodle isn’t equal to a half of Togdheer Region. Puntland State designated Buhoodle as “Region” because the “Village” of Buhoodle” doesn’t sound well to the “Establishment”. The “SSC” (Sool, Sanaag, Cayn) do not tell the whole truth. Here Sool Region, a part of Nugaal Valley, is correct. But the inclusion of Sanaag Region here is controversial at least, as Warsengeli of Erigavo area is either excluded or inserted here without their consent.

Dhulbahante, therefore, is advised to discontinue the use of the words “Khatumo and SSC” for their struggle against Somaliland occupation. You don’t run the names of failed rebel groups over and over again to achieve better or different results. Continued use of these names could further divide Dhulbahante along sub-clan lines and settling of old scores within “Khatumo and SSC” malpractice.

Watch “WDM MA MUCAARAD BAA MISE MUXAAFID?” on YouTube

FARMAJO & HSM: TWO DESTRUCTIVE APPROACHES TO SOMALIA’S FEDERALISM

Farmaajo wanted to destroy Federalism by puting puppet regional governors in FMS and conduct sham direct elections to install himself into a dictatorship once again in Somali politics. He didn’t learn from the Civil War. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud wants to use Somalia’s Federalism cleaverly as a weapon to disable it through the so-called “Madasha Qaranka” (National Consultative Forum) composed of the leaders of Federal Government, FMS and, paradoxically, the Governor of Banadir Region. Madasha is an unconstitutional entity whose relevance doesn’t go beyond consultations (it has no legal authority whatsoever in all Federal and State Constitutions). Recent Mogadishu Session of the “Madasha” in which HSM had attempted to weaponize the powers of the FMS against themselves to disable regional judiciary is still fresh in our minds. Only Puntland President, Said Abdullahi Deni, refused to succumb to HSM’s political shenanigans. Nothing will come out of HSM’s sinnister plans to undermine Federalism.

For your information, there is an existing Agreement between FGS and FMS signed in 2007 by the leaders of the Transitional Federal Government, and Puntland State of Somalia, on behalf of existing and future FMS. This was signed by the leaders of TFG, President Abdullahi Yusuf, Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Geedi, on behalf of the Federal Government, and President Mohamud Muse Hersi (Adde Muse) for Puntland.

This Agreement stipulated that the transfer of public institutions, state agencies and infrastructures that come under the jurisdictions of FGS in accordance with the Provisional Federal Constitution, shall wait until the FGS develops institutional capacities and legal framework, including completion of Federal Constitution.

These FMS institutions or agencies included paramilitary forces (Daraawiish), border entry points like airports and seaports, customs, among others. Workers of these agencies of FMS must be paid by the FGS, and until that happens, a FMS shall continue to pay the salaries of these state workers, on behalf of the FGS.

No transfer of tax revenues from a FMS to FGS shall occur until FGS shall assume full responsibilities for running these state agencies that may come under its jurisdictions based on fully agreed Federal Constitution.

This Agreement is valid today as it was in 2007, and the situation of the FGS remains exactly the same.

Until the requirements of this AGREEMENT are met, the Federal Government can’t demand for the transfer or acquisition of airports, seaports, customs from a FMS. Moreover, most FMS public institutions like education, Judiciary etc, are independent from the Federal Government, and unless special arrangements to be agreed upon are enacted, both Federal and state constitutions guarantee that separation of powers.

LINE UP TO CAST YOUR VOTES

LINE UP TO CAST YOUR VOTES

Watch “SHAKIKA ISKA CUUDI” on YouTube

WARSAME DIGITAL MEDIA WDM

Watch “Xoraynta Laascaanood” on YouTube

DHIBKA SOOL WAA JOOGIDDA SOMALILAND

PUNTLAND DEMOCRATIZATION

Democratization

Watch “Isaaq vs Dhulbahante” on YouTube

THE CHANGING CULTURE AND IDENTITY OF SOMALIA

Somalia has changed culturally – forget the old days of national celebrations, flag waving and song of national anthem. No talk of significance of national independence. Historical songs of patriotism are suppressed and celebrated singers are things of the past, only to be remembered by 70-year olds. The entire history of Somalia is being erased or has disappeared from national discourse and school curriculum.

Any signs of globalization and Western influence are being discouraged or eroded. Women can’t walk along the streets in towns without complete Xijab – any woman seen in public without heavy veil is automatically assumed blasphemous by the majority of population. Girls as old as five years are subjected to the strict rules of their mothers in dressing up. Fathers are bashed or looked down whenever they escort their daughters in public without following strict religious culture of today’s Somali society. The very name of Somali identity is fasting losing relevance in the country. The whole country appears to look different and disconnected from its past profile of liberal culture and religious tolerance. Time-tested traditional customs are looked down as pagan and un-Islamic. Somali society is fundamentally changing to a status of big X and cultural uncertainty.

It appears that academic descriptions by many foreign scholars and travelers of Somalis and Somalia have no relevance today. New studies in anthropology and sociology are required to reflect on the rapidly changing nature of the new people being created in Somalia. Years of Wahabists’ indoctrination is almost done and successful. This has been made possible by repression of the Military Dictatorship of Siyad Barre before its final collapse in 1991, whereby the oppressed people of Somalia sought salvation in religion during his reign. Saudi Arabian Wahabism teachings, its institutions of charity organizations bent on spread of Wahabism to counter-act Iranian Shia influence in Sunny nations and opportunistic nature of Somali nomadic character had been a deadly combination of sort to transform Somalia into a nation in identity crisis, now in every aspect of life.

Deterioration of environment, livestock and fish habitat is in a state of alarm and emergency. Religious groups dismiss this man-made disaster as curse from Allah. This is another area of grave concern for the survival of life in Somalia. Public awareness and action are required to reverse the dangerous trend.

[This article has been updated since posting]