PhD student at George Mason did his dissertation on federalism in Somalia. Great read in my opinion.
FEDERALISM IN SOMALIA: OBSTACLES, ASPIRATIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES
- Thread starter Hilmaam
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Many scholars have advocated for federalism and other forms of power-sharing in states emerging from violent conflict in order to provide governance structures that can promote inter-ethnic cooperation, local political empowerment, and effective institutions that can reduce the likelihood of re-escalation.
Others warn it could harden social divisions and prove difficult to implement in weak states with few functioning institutions. Others argue that federalism will create tribal-based states that simply transfer marginalization to the regional level. Federalismβs opponents also claim the system is advantageous to Somaliaβs rivals who seek to shape regional states into their own proxies against the central government
A non-Somalis analysis of Federalism or any political power sharing means nothing. You aren't Somali or lived in Somalia, you do not know the ins and outs of Somalia or the nature of Somali people. Somalia has no other comparison. The consistent use of the word "tribal" clearly indicates that this guy is operating on a preconceived notions that Somalia is a bunch of different Ethnic groups vying for power, when that's false and the struggled for power is way more complex.
Only a system made by and for Somalis will work efficiently. Elements of Federalism and/or centralization can be applied but again it's up to Somali people to decide what they want.
Only a system made by and for Somalis will work efficiently. Elements of Federalism and/or centralization can be applied but again it's up to Somali people to decide what they want.
We might speak the same language and be the same ethnicity, but politically, clans operate the same to ethnic groups. We are just as divided as India with their numerous ethnic groups, if not more so. We got 20 sub clans all fighting for power, who operate as their own ethnicity.
It is. Hawiye, Darod, Isaaq, D&M. etc act no differently than how Igbo/Hausas/Fulanis act in Nigeria, or how Shias, Sunnis and Maronites act in Lebanon.
Think of Somali as a race, and the qabils as ethnicities. Kind of similar to how in Britain, the English, Irish, Scottish had conflict for over a millenia despite largely being the same people. Things make more sense if you look at it like that.
He interviewed a lot of somali people for the paper and is well versed in clans politics especially in jubbaland and southwest state. The tribe remark is for introduction and making generalization of federalism based on world events.
I agree it should be Somalis that make the decision unfortunately Ethiopia, Kenya, and the west wonβt let it happen. Kenya wants proxi/buffer state in jubbaland to get rid of refugees and ensure no terrorist attacks. Ethiopia wants no chance of uprising in Ogaden so will likely align with anyone that will keep them weak. The west wants no Islamic state that can easily rally Somalis, oromos, and Tigray which will be nightmare for them. No easy answer other than using Puntland and Somaliland as case studies as they are closest to success.
I agree it should be Somalis that make the decision unfortunately Ethiopia, Kenya, and the west wonβt let it happen. Kenya wants proxi/buffer state in jubbaland to get rid of refugees and ensure no terrorist attacks. Ethiopia wants no chance of uprising in Ogaden so will likely align with anyone that will keep them weak. The west wants no Islamic state that can easily rally Somalis, oromos, and Tigray which will be nightmare for them. No easy answer other than using Puntland and Somaliland as case studies as they are closest to success.
When you think about the fact that the common forebear of most Somalis lived 2600 years ago. It is not that shocking that we operate like rival ethnic groups. Even the D&M we share an ancestor with, developed their own Somali language when they diverged from other Somalis.
Babylon existed when our common forebear walked around.
Hardly any ethnicities even share a common ancestor, let alone one as recent as 2600 years ago. The reason we operate like rival ethnic groups is due to our 6000+ year old nomadic background.
We need to find a permanent solution for the nomadic lifestyle. It pits brother against brother and it has ravaged our land.
I mean culturally speaking, there is no difference between urban and nomadic Somalis. All nomadic societies have clans which operate as basically separate ethnicities and can never really unite unless for a short period of time, and they will eventually collapse.
Most Somali clans are fighting within themselves, to the youngest; jiffo against jiffo for seats or aano qabiil.
We need Allah's guidance. There is no other solution.
Japan was this way for centuries as well till Toyotomi unified country and made them powerhouse took a lot of bloodshed though. I think we fractured but not that bad. How we treat each other in the west shows we are one people. Somalia corruption makes us distrustful. Beefs even happen within Sub clans of darood
Daarood ah? The youngest sub-clans who count 12 odays from each other, are beefing. It is literally brother vs brother over titles or mp seats or other nonsense.
It is impossible to satisfy everyone unfortunately, if a sub sub sub clan isnβt satisfied they will fight and oppose the fgs/fms. Hiirshabelle has 81 ministers, to make sure everyone is represented. India for comparison has 31 ministers.
NordicSomali
VIP
Weve had some really smart leaders too. Recently i was reading an economic paper by Abdiwelli Gaas on political instability, i didnt know he attended Harvard, and the article won the best year award.
The guy was super smart but he was a disappointing leader.
The guy was super smart but he was a disappointing leader.
In other African countries ethnic groups fight over diamonds, oil, Gas, etc. Somalia has no such wealth and the only source of revenue is taxation, aid, and competition over the the state. The comical corruption and constant undermining one another to gain relative advantage even at the sub-clan level all stems from our lack of resources needed to maintain a modern state.
