Abaq
VIP
The Somali state has been a failure since 1960 contrary to most people’s belief it failed in 1991. The failure of 1960 was what led to the Kacaan of 1969 which was meant to address the problems the country had. The “solution” ended up being worse than the problem and eventually failed in 1991. Since then, Somalis have been trying to fix their failed state but every strategy has failed. I argue the reason for that is simple, the original formation of the state was doomed to fail.
In 1960 Somalis inherited a European state given a veneer of Somalinimo. All state institutions and organs were modelled on the European states. The only thing Somali about the 1960 state were the names of the officials running it (they too were European on the inside as they were nearly all educated and indoctrinated by the Europeans hence why they even dressed like them). This enforced state structure was totally alien to Somali norms and ways of living. This is why I term it the Madhalays or infertile republic. Ultimately this alien state structure just wouldn’t work and ended in abject failure.
For Somalia to be a normal country, we need to stop arguing about peripheral matters such as the powers of the states vs centre, and ask ourselves more fundamental questions. We need to go back to the drawing board. We need to reject the European state model that was imposed upon us in 1960 by the colonisers and decide upon a state structure in line with our culture, norms, and history. To do that, we need to return to the state structure that existed prior to colonisation and then upgrade it to fit with the modern world.
Somalia is a clan-based society. No matter how much those that have been indoctrinated by European philosophy argue, qabiil is not going away. It is an integral part of our psyche and social fabric. To be Somali is to be a part of the Somali clan system, no ifs no buts.
Prior to colonisation, the Somali peninsula was divided into a variety of organic, stable clan-based fiefdoms and sultanates with varying degrees of power and autonomy. No matter how much power they were able to project, they all had legitimacy in the eyes of their subjects. Even though only one family had the right to inherit the tribal crown, all other subclans were willing to accept their legitimacy to rule in exchange for being part of the ruling councils. The qabiil monarchs reigned, but it was actually their subclan councils that ruled. What we need to do, is return to these clan based territories and unite them on the national level.
We need a return of the Ogaden sultanate in Jubaland, the Eelaay Kingdom of KG, the Hiraab Imamate, the Xawaadle Ugasate, the Majeerteen sultanate, the Warsangeli Sultanate, the Dhulbahante Garadate, and the Iiddoor sultanate under Habar Yonis. Then we need a confederal monarchy similar to the UAE where we will decide what powers and responsibilities to share on the national level (defence, foreign policy etc). How each qabiil monarchy runs its territory outside of that will be down to them. If the Warsangeli sultanate decide to opt for a constitutional monarchy with democratic elections every 5 years, that’s up to them. If the Ogaden Sultanate decide to slash taxes and open up to foreign trade and investment and lease their islands, that’s their prerogative.
Some tribal areas will naturally refuse to join sultanates they were previously apart of prior to colonisation such as Habar Gidir and the Majeerteen sultanate. That is fine. Habar Gedir territory will be declared a tribal area and they can decide how they want to structure their area. They can share it amicably or fight a 100 year war. Point is, it won’t affect the rest of us.
In 1960 Somalis inherited a European state given a veneer of Somalinimo. All state institutions and organs were modelled on the European states. The only thing Somali about the 1960 state were the names of the officials running it (they too were European on the inside as they were nearly all educated and indoctrinated by the Europeans hence why they even dressed like them). This enforced state structure was totally alien to Somali norms and ways of living. This is why I term it the Madhalays or infertile republic. Ultimately this alien state structure just wouldn’t work and ended in abject failure.
For Somalia to be a normal country, we need to stop arguing about peripheral matters such as the powers of the states vs centre, and ask ourselves more fundamental questions. We need to go back to the drawing board. We need to reject the European state model that was imposed upon us in 1960 by the colonisers and decide upon a state structure in line with our culture, norms, and history. To do that, we need to return to the state structure that existed prior to colonisation and then upgrade it to fit with the modern world.
Somalia is a clan-based society. No matter how much those that have been indoctrinated by European philosophy argue, qabiil is not going away. It is an integral part of our psyche and social fabric. To be Somali is to be a part of the Somali clan system, no ifs no buts.
Prior to colonisation, the Somali peninsula was divided into a variety of organic, stable clan-based fiefdoms and sultanates with varying degrees of power and autonomy. No matter how much power they were able to project, they all had legitimacy in the eyes of their subjects. Even though only one family had the right to inherit the tribal crown, all other subclans were willing to accept their legitimacy to rule in exchange for being part of the ruling councils. The qabiil monarchs reigned, but it was actually their subclan councils that ruled. What we need to do, is return to these clan based territories and unite them on the national level.
We need a return of the Ogaden sultanate in Jubaland, the Eelaay Kingdom of KG, the Hiraab Imamate, the Xawaadle Ugasate, the Majeerteen sultanate, the Warsangeli Sultanate, the Dhulbahante Garadate, and the Iiddoor sultanate under Habar Yonis. Then we need a confederal monarchy similar to the UAE where we will decide what powers and responsibilities to share on the national level (defence, foreign policy etc). How each qabiil monarchy runs its territory outside of that will be down to them. If the Warsangeli sultanate decide to opt for a constitutional monarchy with democratic elections every 5 years, that’s up to them. If the Ogaden Sultanate decide to slash taxes and open up to foreign trade and investment and lease their islands, that’s their prerogative.
Some tribal areas will naturally refuse to join sultanates they were previously apart of prior to colonisation such as Habar Gidir and the Majeerteen sultanate. That is fine. Habar Gedir territory will be declared a tribal area and they can decide how they want to structure their area. They can share it amicably or fight a 100 year war. Point is, it won’t affect the rest of us.