Somalia is not a state functioning under the rule of law. It is not even a
country, but a patchwork of districts, and regions caught up in different
stages of lawlessness, anarchy and chaos. Each has different security needs,
and each gropes for the restoration of normalcy and the return to civil law
and order.
The anarchic factionalism of clan rivalry not only creates conditions of
havoc and panic and traumatizes individual Somalis, but also calls into
questions whether or not Somalia still has a national identity. For the past
two decades or so, Somalis tried and in many reconciliation conferences to
reclaim their sovereignty, but no avail. Indeed, the outcome of all efforts
put Somalia back into the creation of clan regional authorities, back to
square one.
An Issaq state in in the north, as Somaliland; a Majerteen state in the
Northeast, as Puntland; a Habargedir state in parts of the Mudugh region
called Galmudug; a Dhulbahante state, as Katumo; a Warsangeli state, as
Makhir; a Gadabursi state, as Awdal; a cluster of Darood sub clans on the
Juba valley, and the non-Habargedir Hawiye jockeying for having part of the
cake in perhaps the central regions.
Today, March 3, 2014, we heard the Baidoa Initiative where, a reconciliation
conference concluded the election of a president of Southwest region of
Somalia with two vice Presidents. This initiative is worthy of giving a
serious consideration and support from the Somali Federal Government, the
Somali people and the international community at large for the following
reasons:
1.Unlike previous peace and reconciliation conferences, the Baidoa
initiative is the least clan oriented initiative. In December 2012 the
representatives of all 5 Somali groups known as the 4.5 gathered in Baidoa
and elected 74 Council of Sultans, Malaks, and Garads to constitute the
Supreme Traditional Council. Thus, Southwest Somalia is a multi-clan entity;
indeed, it is a clan free entity. It is inhabited by diverse clans that
share historical experience, economic integrity and cultural affinity.
2.The council drafted a constitution calling for the creation of regional
authority over six regions called the Southwest State of Somalia. The draft
constitution safeguards the right of the peoples of Southwest and confirms
the unity of Somali nation under federal system.
3.The Supreme Traditional Council elected a president Midowe Nunow Mohamed
from the Digil/Mirifle cluster, where they also elected two vice Presidents;
one from the Darood and another from Dir clusters respectively.
4.Stability and sustainable peace is a pre-requisite to development.
Sultans, Malks and Garads of Southwest Somalia kept violence at bay, and
maintained law and order for over one year in Baidoa and the regions at
large.
Business in Baidoa is booming. The Somali federal Government should showcase
Baidoa initiative. The stability of Southwest Somalia will lead to the
overall stability of not only Somalia but also to the stability of the Horn
of Africa. Neighboring countries of Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti should
support the initiative.
5.Security is the major concern of the international community. Baidoans
proved they can safeguard and guarantee the security of their citizens. The
donor community should commit itself more than ever and provide assistance
to those who can deliver. The task of reconciliation and reconstruction is
more than Baidoans can do alone.
6.Baidoans and communities of Southwest Somalia are peace loving
communities. In mid 1950s, it was they who called for decentralization or
federation. They were victimized by calling for a just and a noble cause.
They were labeled as being traitors and anti-Somali unity.
Their leaders were killed, smeared, jailed or left the country by the Darood
and Hawiye clans, who ironically today are advocating for federal system! In
1995, they created their autonomous administration on Southwest regions. The
SNA militia led by Muhammad Farah Aideed (a Habargedir) invaded Baidoa and
toppled the nascent administration.
This triggered the emergence of the Reewin Resistance Army RRA. In 2002,
After the RRA liberated most of the Southwest regions; it called for the
establishment of Southwestern State of Somalia. This administration lasted
until January 2005, when the RRA joined the new Transitional Federal
Government (TFG) that was established in Mbeghathi, Kenya, believing it
could bring about peace.
7.Let us give peace a chance. Lessons from the PastColonial Scramble of
Somalia:
For the past one hundred and thirty years, Somalia suffered from colonial
and clan partitions. At the aftermath of Berlin Conference of 1884/5, France
took the Northeastern portion, former French Somaliland, today known as
Djibouti, Britain took the Northwest and ceded portion of Southwest region
known as trans-Juba into its Kenya Colony, and Italy consolidated its power
by taking over what will become Somalia or Italian Somalia. In 1887 Harar
province fell in the hands of Ethiopia. In 1926, Britain transferred
trans-Juba region to Italy after settling the Dodecanese issue.
>From 1926 to 1936 Italy divided its colonial territory in Somalia into seven
regions:
1. Regione del Giuba with Headquarters in Kismayu. The region included
districts of Afmadow, Bardera, Jilib, Gobwein-Jumbo.
2. Regione del Centro with Headquarters at Marka. This region included
districts of Afgoi, Awdheegle, Baidoa, Barawe and Bur Hakaba.
3. Regione del Shabelle with Headquarters at Villaggio Duca degli Abruzzi
Jowhar. It included districts of Mahadda, Balad, Bula Burtii, Itala and
Meregh.
4. Regione del Confine with Headquarters at Huddur. It included districts of
Beled Weyn, Dolow and Lugh.
5. Regione di Obbia with Headquarters at Obbia Hobyo. It included districts
of El Bur, Rocco Littoria Galkayo, and Harardera.
6. Regione del Nugal with Headquarters at Eil and districts of Beila and
Callis.
7. Regione di Migiurtinia with Headquarters at Alula and districts of
Bargal, Bandar Qassim, and Dante Hafun. Mogadiscio was kept as autonomous
region and the Headquarters of the Colony.
>From 1936-41, immediately after the fall of Addis Ababa, Italy proclaimed
new colonial empire, known as Africa Orientale Italiana (Italian East
Africa) covering Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea.
This empire was subdivided into six Governi: 1. Amhara, 2. Galla Sidamo, 3.
Harar, 4. Shoa, 5. Eritrea and 6. Governo della Somalia.
Governo della Somalia was subdivided into eight regions:
1. Alto Giuba with Headquarters in Iscia Baidoa, including districts of
Huddur, Lugh, Dolo, Bardera, Bur Hakaba, Dinsor. This region is mostly
inhabited by Mirifle with some Marehan beyond the Juba valley in Lugh area.
2. Basso Giuba with Headquarters at Kismayu, including districts of Afmadow,
Jilib and Goobwein. This region is inhabited by Digil and Reer Goleed with
some Ogaden and Sheqaal.
3. Alto Shiabelle with Headquarters in Bulo Burti, including districts of
Villa Abruzzi, Itala, Mereg, and Belet Weyn. This region is populated by
Digil, Shiidle, Abgal, Badi adde, Galjel, and Gugundhabe.
4. Basso Shabelle with Headquarters in Marka, including districts of Barawe,
Afgoi, and Awdhegle. This region is mainly inhabited by Digil, some Dir and
wa'daan.
5. Mudugh with Headquarters in Galka'yo, including districts of Obbia,
Gelinsor, and El Bur. This region is mainly inhabited by Hawiye and Darood.
6. Migiurtinia with Headquarters at Alula, including districts of Bandar
Qassim, Hafun, and Bargal. This region is exclusively inhabited by
Majertein.
7. Webi Gestro with Headquarters at El Karre, including Districts of:
Qallafo, Negeile, and Filtu. This region is inhabited by Digil and Dir.
8. Ogaden with Headquarters at Qabridaharre, including districts of Jijjiga,
and Dhagahbur.
The region is inhabited by Darood, Issaq, Digil, Mirifle and Dir. Mogadiscio
remained the Headquarters of Governo della Somalia. The city is inhabited by
all Somali clans.
>From 1941-1950, this period is known as the period of British Military
Administration (BMA). Somalia was divided only into four 4 provinces or
regions, including all inhabited territories of Somalia in the Horn of
Africa with the exception of Djibouti.
1. North East Province NEP, it includes Districts of: Erigavo, Alula, Bandar
Qassim, Qardo, Las Anood, Galkayo and El Bur.
2.North West Province NWP includes Districts of: Burao, Berbera, Borama,
Hargeisa, Jigjiga, Dhagahbur, Qabredarre.
3.South East Province SEP includes Districts of: Belet Wein, Villabruzzi,
Huddur, Iscia baidoa, and Marka.
4.South West Province SWP includes Districts of Garissa, Wajeer, Qallafo, El
Karre, Dolo, Lugh, Bardera, and Kismayu.Mogadishu, became the capital of the
Greater Somalia.
>From 1950-1960, this period is known as the Trusteeship period,
Amministrazione Fiduciaria Italiano della Somalia AFIS, where Italy returned
to its former Italian Somalia with the exception of Ogaden and Webi Gestro
regions.
Britain also retained its former British protectorate in the north excluding
Haud and Reserved area, and the Northern frontier District with Kenya.
Djibouti remained with France. During this period Italy draw new regional
boundaries and its administration falls into six regions:
1.Alto Giuba, as in the 1936-1941 lines.
2.Basso Giuba, also as in the lines of 1936-1941 lines.
3.Benadir a new name for former Basso Shiabelle.
4.Hiran a new name for Alto Shiabelle.
5.Mudugh, remained as 1936-1941 lines.
6.Migiurtinia, remained as 1936-1941 lines.
Mogadiscio, remained the capital of the AFIS Administration.
>From 1960-1974, the independence in July 1960 brought about the unification
of Somalia under Italian trusteeship administration and British Protectorate
of Somaliland. Thus, the new Republic became eight 8 regions: the six
regions of Somalia and the two of the protectorate. Mogadishu became the
capital of the Republic.
Clan Partition of Somali RepublicFrom 1974-1991, the eight regions were
subdivided into eighteen 18 regions which are:
1. Awdal (Gadabursi),
2. Waqooyi Galbeed (Issaq),
3. Togdheer (Issaq),
4. Hiran (Hawiye),
5. Middle Shabelle (Hawiye),
6. Lower Shabelle (Hawiye),
7. Banadir (Hawiye),
8. Sanag (Darood),
9. Bari (Darood),
10. Sool (Darood),
11. Nugaal (Darood),
12. Mudug (Darood),
13. Galgaduud (Darood),
14. Bakool (Darood),
15. Gedo (Darood),
16. Middle Juba (Darood),
17. Lower Juba (Darood),
18. Bay (Digil and Mirifle).
Mogadishu remained the capital of the Republic.From 1991-Present, the former
Somali republic has lost its national identity. The former British
Protectorate of Somaliland declared independent from the republic in May
1991 (for Issaq, Dir). The former Bari, and parts of Mudug became Puntland
State in 1998 (for Majerteen, Darood). Followed by Galmudug State in August
2006 (for Habargedir, Hawiye). Juba region was formulated in September 2013
(for Darood). Khatumo State in 2012 (for Dhulbahante, Darood). Maakhir State
in 2007 (for Warsangeli, Darood). Southwest Somalia in 2014 (for diverse
clans).
In the meantime, the Digil and Mirifle, the Banadiris, Jareers and
non-Habargedir Hawiye are jockeying to partition Shabelle and left overs of
Southwest regions to establish their own clan regional States. Colonial
boundaries were partly for strategic and military purposes to protect the
colonial interest and after all, for the economic exploitation of the
natural resources of territory. Indeed, it did not care of natural
boundaries but to create conflicts between clans.
Similarly, the military regime of Siad Barre scrambled Somalia regions to
safeguard the interests of his clan the Darood, particularly the Marehan,
the Ogaden and Dhulbahante. He thus carved special regions for them and
followed the policy of divide and rule between other clans. Ten of the
eighteen regions created in 1974 were exclusively for Daroods. The Hawiye
with four; the Issaqs with two; the Dir with one; the Digil/Mirifle were
left with one, and the rest of Somalis with none.
Today, Somalia needs to revisit its national and regional boundaries.
Boundaries between Ethiopia and Somalia remained internationally
provisional. The 1959 UN Commission of Arbitration led by Trygve Lie over
the disputed boundary between Ethiopia and Somalia must be reinvigorated.
With peace and stability Somalia and Ethiopia could sort out problems of
their international boundaries.
Like the Baidoa initiative, Somalia needs clan free constituencies. I am
hopeful that the current generation of Somalis can take advantage of this
historical challenge and opportunity to support the Baidoa initiative to
free Somalia from continuous fear, war and poverty it has endured for over
two decades.
This initiative reminds me of that shot that was fired in Concord in April
1775, where the poet Ralph Waldo Emerson described as would "be heard around
the world." It signaled the start of the American Revolution. And that
revolution helped inspire other revolutions in the world.
Professor of African and Middle Eastern History
Savannah State University, Savannah, Georgia, USA