Our article, “The Coming War Nobody is Talking About” has garnered so much attention that it’s now featured on the front page of today’s International Edition of the New York Times. You can read the essay from here:
I am taking break from academia for few years. Leaving Doha after 12 productive years at Qatar University. Will surely miss friends, colleagues & my students. Thank you all.
Looking forward 2 join
@HIPSINSTITUTE
, learn more & contribute 2 research & discussions/training IA.
Ethiopia's founding leaders, including Menelik, Yohannis, and Haile Sellassie, have consistently expressed expansionist motives and articulated their strategy, claiming the Somali peninsula. Employing various tactics over time, successive Ethiopian leaders have pursued the
My advice to President
@M_Farmaajo
and PM
@MohamedHRoble
:
1. Be responsible and avoid violence at all cost;
2. Do not politicize the security forces;
2. Ensure the rule of law and justice prevail in the case of
#Ikrantahlilfarah
;
3. Fast-track the dispensation process
Alhamdulillah. It was a proud moment for me and my family to watch our daughter, Maryama, become a licensed lawyer in B. C. Canada
Waxay noo aheyd aniga iyo qoyskeyga maalin weyn. Gabadheenba Maryama waxay ka mid noqotay qareennada ka shaqeyn kara Gobolka BC. Allaha barakeeyo.
Ethiopia's aspirations and intentions regarding “a sea corridor” are not new. For Addis Ababa, "access to the sea" means a “navy base” or securing “sovereign access” to the coastline. This is different from a "commercial access" or the "use of ports." Ethiopia already has this
After little over two years at the helm, I hereby announce that I will step down from my role as the executive director of the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, effective September 30, 2023. That said, I will remain to be a Senior Research Fellow of the Institute. I will
A colleague of mine who has recently returned from North America has this interesting observation. He says, “It seems we, Somalis, have decided to move our entire middle class, burgiousie life to another country, Kenya.” Agree?
The root cause of Somalia's new crisis is the 2020 political dispensation. The best way out is to address this issue. The govt must commit to no-extension and no-gerrymandering principles. The opposition must give the govt the space to govern. Both must respect the rule of law.
I do not understand why the
#Somali
politicians insist that the meeting should take place in Villa Somalia or Halane. Isnt it AMISOM that secures both places? Both in Mogadishu? Big confusion here. ISLA-MEEREEYSIGA IYO NALA-MEEREEYSIGA naga daaya walaalayaalow.
Dowladdii 1960 dhalatay wuxuu magaceedu ahaa Dowladda Soomaaliyeed (Somali Repulic). Xildhibaanno badan ayaa sidaa in magaca loo daayo soo jeediyey. Waan la qabaa.
Xalay Hub culus oo ka argagixiyey dadka ayaa loo riday dabbaaldeg. Aad baan uga naxay hugunka rasaasta la ridayey xalay. Waa in baarlamaanka cusub uu degdeg u sameeyo Xeer joojinaya rasaasta loo rido dabbaaldegyada, ciqaabayana qofkii khilaafa. Dad badan baa ku dhaawacmay.
Xisbiyada waddaniga ah ee u halgamay dalka, lana diriray qabyaaladda waxaa ugu horreeyey Somali National League (SNL) oo la aasaasay 1935 (Lewis, 1958). Wax sheegaya ma arag. SYL (1943) uunbaa la bogaadinayaa oo la buunbuuninayaa. Anigu ma fahmin. Ma aqoon-xumaa? Ma ilduuf baa?
In a polarized society, “winner-takes all” approach exacerbates divisions. I hope that the incoming new administration in
#Somalia
will include all political groups by forming a government of national unity.
Hadraawi baa yiri, "Wax aan degdeg jeer ku laqay: maxay shishe ii damqeen." Haddii si qaldan oo siyaasadeysan loo adeegsado hey'adaha dowladda waxaa ku burburaya nidaamka iyo dowladnimada daciifka ah. Siyaasad lagu wadi waayey dood iyo dulqaad, laguma wadi karo jujuub iyo digdig.
Reportedly, few men decided that candidates for Somalia's House & Senate must pay filing fee of $10, 000 & $20, 000 respectively. This unfair decision prevents most Somalis to participate. Ironically, the salary for the positions is about $3,700. This will encourage corruption.
Majority of the new cabinet is selected from the parliament: 16/27 ministers or 59% (PM & DPM included); 13/24 state-ministers or 54%; 14/25 deputy ministers or 56%. Total is 76 & 43 or 56% are from the parliament. Interesting. Can parliament perform its oversight role?
Considering the centuries of religious and territorial conflicts, two major wars, at least four decades of hostile policies/direct meddling by Ethiopia, and the currently poor state of relations between the two countries, I believe that president Hassan Sheikh was il-advised to
Runta iyo siyaasiyiinta maxaa col joogta ah ka dhigay? Goorma ayey dirireen? Maxay is hayaan? Ergo dhexdhexaadisa oo heshiis waara dhex dhigta ma la helayaa? Dadweynuhu haddii uu u garnaqo, yuu garta siinayaa?
In international relations, it is common practice for countries unable to defend themselves against stronger, hostile neighbors to seek security guarantees or protection/strategic partnership from distant, great, or rising power. Therefore, it is perfectly acceptable for the
The current government should NOT be allowed to hastily and arbitrarily change the country's fragile and incomplete political settlement. It took 10 years and multiple conferences to establish the Third Republic. Shariah as the basis of legislation, Clan power-sharing,
Many congratulations to
@AhmedAmi
(Ahmed Amin) on his outstanding achievements. Yesterday, Ahmed graduated with his Master's degree in Political Science from McGill University. Prior to joining McGill, he won the prestigious and competitive MasterCard scholarship which allowed
Thank you to all (Somalis and international community) that forced the House of People and president
@M_Farmaajo
to reverse their dangerous and illegal term-extension. Now, PM
@MohamedHRoble
must restore lost confidence and engage all stakeholders genuinely. Deal is in reach.
Disinformation is a real problem in Somalia. Hope the Somali leaders will be courageous enough to tell the people the "whole truth" on the constitution review process, ICJ case, dept forgiveness and 2020 pol. dispensations. That may lead to genuine debate and good decisions.
Somalia's incumbents always used 3 strategies to rig selection/election:
1. Delay the process long time & then rush it in, using "no time argument".
2 Appoint loyalists to z election committee;
3. Recruit brokers, raise funds from all sources, and buy votes.
What is new now?
Happy to be part of an academic/policy conference in Ankara. Researchers will present at least 20 papers that address different aspects of the Somalia-Turkey relations for the coming two days. Thank you to the organizing committee
@afrikavakfi
@HIPSINSTITUTE
Wow.
I just finished reading the four chapters of the constitution that the committee presented for discussion.
In reality, almost every article and/or clause has been either modified or changed. Many new articles and clauses have been introduced. A few articles have been
Silence is NOT acceptable. President
@M_Farmaajo
and PM
@MohamedHRoble
must talk to parents who are looking for their children. Z government's practice of complicating simple issues must end. Why send reg forces to Eritrea? Transparency please. Let parents talk to their children.
"
#Hirshabelle
" might be the most dysfunctional state of
#Somalia
, but it is not alone. The entire regionalization project is NOT working properly.
Several factors led to this dysfunction: the absence of reconciliation, the self-serving actions of politicians at the Federal
For those interested in security studies in
#Somalia
, here is
@PDWilliamsGWU
’s new study that recently was published. I read it. It is a warning to policymakers & it is a must read research. Thanks Prof.
@HarunMaruf
@Abukar_Arman
#Somalia
's political leaders (FGS and FMSs) are not respecting any laws (constitution, laws, basic procedures) or even common sense. Nomination replaced the indirect elections/selections. Powergrap is in the making. Can we manage the transition peacefully? I hope & pray for that.
As the Somali government starts its last year, I hope to publish several articles on its approaches, strategies and policies on security, rule of law and democratization. Partly drawing some of the analyses from an upcoming book to contribute to the state-building debate.
One lesson that the Somali government should learn from our recent history is not to use force and intimidation in order to solve political problems. The government should be courageous enough to engage and negotiate with politicians that have differing views.
Doodda la xiriirta jinsiyadda (citizenship) waa ay qota-dheer tahay. Runtiina dadka qurbaha aaday wax wayn bay dalka ka taraan dhan walba. Yaan lagu talax tegin waa raasumaalka hadda la hayee. Haddii dalka la kala xigsado wareer kale ayaa imanaya. Iska-hor-imaad cusub xal maaha.
Maxaa lagu diidan yahay hab-raaca lagu muransan yahay?
Runtii, udeeddo kastaba ha laga lahaadeee, dadka qaar ka fal-celiyey qormadaydii gaabnayd ee shalay ayaa I weydiiyey su’aal ah, maxaa lagu diidayaa habraaca’?
Anigu waxaan u arkaa in xaaladda siyaasadeed ee dalka ka jirta
Waxaa ka socda Aqalka Ummadda ee Djibouti kulan weyn oo lagu xusayo, looguna duceynayo qoraaga caanka ah ee Soomaaliyeed ee Dr. Maxamed Daahir Afrax oo dhawaan ku geeriyooday London. Waxaa isku yimid, hal-abuur, farshaxan iyo qoraa badan. Allaha u naxariisto Dr. Afrax. Aamiin.
What are the implications of the current Jubbaland conflict? Jamal Osman, Matt Bryden and I have participated in the discussion. You can watch the program on the Al-Jazeera's inside story - Why is Jubaland election important for East Africa?
@AJEnglish
I read from Ahmed Shire Lawahe thesis that one of the early drafts of the 1960 constitution recommended six-year and one-term presidecy. That was not adopted. But, am increasingly becoming convinced that we should revisit that proposal and entertain one-term, six-year presidency.
On
#Somalia
and
#Somaliland
talks in Djibouti, long time preparations and high-level participation did not lead to a substantive discussion and a final settlement. Take away is that there is a more work to be done & more actors to be involved.
@HarunMaruf
@AnalystSomalia
@Aynte
It is unfortunate indeed. Witnessing a government that cannot tolerate very mild policy-related criticism, and a parliament that endorses documents it has not seen. This new trend is worrisome. Allow sahal.
Leading security expert and advisor to Somalia’s Internal Security Ministry
@SeraGaid
has been fired for expressing her opinions on the federal parliament’s approval and amendments to the constitution.
@SeraGaid
has been working with the Ministry as an Advisor on a project
Many congratulations to Professor Ahmed Samatar for the 20th anniversary volume of Bildhaan Journal. Scholars and students interested in Somali studies will find useful and interesting articles. Here is the link:
Arrived at
@harvard
University to discuss the "state of the state-building" in Somalia, focussing on this paper on citizenship . Monday, Oct 24, at 4:00 PM (EDT)/11:00 PM (EAT). If interested, you can register & attend. Click this
For months, some knew about the discussions and the initiatives on Somalia-Somaliland talks. Finally, as they say, the "cat is out of the bag." Diplomatic sources say the talks will begin on Sunday in Djibouti. Let us hope and pray that this is true & the talks will succeed.
Role of Women in Peace & Stability in the Horn
H.E. Hanifa Ibrahim, Minister of Women & Human Rights, Somalia
H.E. Hibo Assoweh, Minister of Culture, Djibouti
H.E. Umulkheyr Kassim, Mandera County
H.E. Juweiria Ibrahim, MP, Somali Region,
Moderator:
@Badrabela
Villa Somalia's poorly-thought centralization leads to further conflicts and If the regions get their way, there will be exclusively owned clan real-estate lands - neither a country nor a functioning state in Somalia. In dilemma.
On Halane conference, Somali public and IC want it to succeed. FGS and FMSs want it to fail & blame the other. FGS thinks it can get extension & defeat 2 FMSs. FMSs, as an ultimate fall-back option, think they can defeat FGS & form new 1. Playing games; They are both wrong.
Waxaa ila quman in ciddii ku khilaafsan Wariye Cali Nuur aragtidiisa ay keento dood iyo xaqiiqooyin ka duwan kuwiisa. In awood iyo xarig loo isticmaalo meesha kuma jirto. Saxafiga in la sii daayo ayaan qabaa.
English
The journalist. Ali Nur Salad has just expressed his views.
When it comes to the current process of implementing a national identity program in Somalia, I believe the guiding principle should be 'identity first.' This is about establishing one's identity (who they claim to be) and not about citizenship status or individual rights.
Congratulations to Somaliland for the parliamentary & municipal elections. I wrote the article after Somaliland’s 2010 presidential election, just to revisit Somaliland-Somalia relations. It is still relevant. “Somaliland: A radical change” via
@AJEnglish
The gathering of some of the leading Somali politicians in Mogadishu is a good step towards mature politics. Congratulations to
@HassanSMohamud
and
@HamzaAbdiBarre
for hosting this meeting. Former president
@HESharifShAhmed
played a constructive role as well. And thanks to all
Waxaan maanta ku booqday jaamacadda UBC Professor Cali A. Cabdi oo ka mid ahaa macallimiinteyda. Professor Cali wuxuu safka hore kaga jiraa cilmi-baarista la xiriirta arrimaha horumarinta iyo waxbarashada caalamka. Wuxuu ka qoray arrimahan dhowr iyo toban buug. Mahadsanid Cali.
Way ku mahadsan tahay Wasaaradda Warfaafintu sida ay degdeg ugu saxday qaladka la xiriira shaqooyinka ay baahisay. Haddaba, qodobka 11(3) ee dastuurku ma oggola in da'da lagu takooro muwaadin. Taasna saxa oo siiya shaqada gabadhii karti iyo khibrad ku hesha.
@HarunMaruf
@Aynte
When it comes to
#Somalia
electoral politics there are two positions: Indirect election vs term extention. Statements from FMSs, opposition, z PM and some MPs support z first while statements from presidency, many MPs & NIEC support the latter. The IC is confused. Somali people?
My view: Term-Extension has no legal basis & it threatens the stability, unity and the nascent democracy of
#Somalia
. Thanks to Sami Zeidan,
@hodansomali
& Zakariya H. Abdi. Watch it here: "Why has Somalia’s president extended his mandate?" via
@AJEnglish
Mohamed Elmi, a young scholar, presented an outstanding research paper titled "The Role of Mobile Money in Somalia's Remittance System" at the UBC-hosted CASID conference. I met Mohamed today. His study invoked productive discussion. He teaches at Ryerson University, Canada.
Fatima Mowlid votes for the historic local elections in Qardho city
#PLGE
elections. Am happy to be one of the observers in Qardho. Many people are patiently & enthusiastically waiting their turn for long hours. Well-prepared election commission is leading the process
Whether the famine threshold was crossed or not in Somalia, people are dying. President
@HassanSMohamud
must lead the rescue efforts - cannot be outsourced. The President must mobilize local resources & use the AMISOM & NSA forces to distribute food that is in Mogadishu. Action!
Reflection
The sham process used in approving the procedure for reviewing the constitution is a cause for concern. If that is what is in the offing when deciding on contentious issues, we should be worried.
Process matters in governance, particularly when changing the
Waxaan hadda soo maray xarunta guud ee lagala socdo doorashada
#PLGE
. Qeybtani waxay si gaar ah ula socotaa caqabadaha ay haweenku kala kulmaan xarumaha doorashada. Waxaa ka shaqeynaya gabdho. Aad bay u dadaalayaan runtii.
Let the judiciary branch of the government and the legal team lead Somalia's maritime case at the ICJ. Politicians should focus on resolving the political crises.
Halkan ka aqriso qormadaydii 5aad ee ku saabsan arrimaha dastuurka. Waxaa daabacay bogga Somali BBC qormada. Waxaan uga faalloonayaa sababaha ka dambeeya geeddiga loogu guurayo nidaamka madaxtooyada, waxyaalaha ka dhalan kara, iyo sida aan xalka u arko.
Halkan aqrisho qormada
Here is a discussion I participated in at Aljazeera English
#InsideStory
, with
@OmarSMahmood
and Professor Abdi Samatar.
Is political unity in Somalia achievable? | Inside Story via
@YouTube
On term-extension vs. timely Indirect election, think the momentum is on the side of the latter. Hope FGS leaders understand this, negotiate with FMSs, & improve z indirect (s)election model (more cities, delegates). If anything firing the PM has not made term extension easier.
The intention behind the Council of Ministers’ draft electoral law is clear. The government’s simplistic approach is rooted in its intent to gerrymander the election process. It lumped together all the major electoral models (First Past the Post, Closed-List Proportional
Waa ay sahlan tahay in xal laga gaaro qodobbada horyaal shirka Xamar. Waase haddii siyaasiyiintu ay kulligood aqbalaan in lagu tartamo kursi kasta oo meesha laga saaro qof wax boobaya oo ergadiisa wata iyo mid manxiis u ah. Madaxdu intaas kaliya ha aqbalaan, hana fuliyaan.
NISA’s tweet targeting
@HarunMaruf
shows a deeper problem. Somali govts did not bring the Agency’s outdated establishment act (Law 14 of 1970) & its practice with z spirit of the 3rd republic & its constitution. Z govt must constrain security institutions within z rule of law.
Madaxdii Soomaalida (heer qaran iyo mid gobol) waxay joogaan Beljam si ay warbixin u siiyaan beesha caalamka. Mucaaradkii laga soo tegayna warqad dheer oo Af-Ingiriis ku qoran ayay u direen Beljam. Halkee shacabku uga jiraan hawshan? Goormay madaxdu shacabka u garnaqsan doonaa?
#Somalia
is @ dangerous cross-roads. Civil society & IC:
1. Must discourage political dispensation that excludes JL, PL and SL(Abdi Hashi camp);
2. Do not fund/endorse partial selection/election; &
3. Help politicians reach compromise on z implementation of Sept 17 agreement.
Mandate of
#Somalia
's government ends today. It did not organize (s)election (direct/indirect) and it did not secure political agreement. The best way to resolve the political crises is that Pres.
@M_Farmaajo
and PM
@MohamedHRoble
must go back to Dhusamareb and negotiate a deal.
Dear Friends
Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim is leading research on economic inequality and social cohesion. Please help by completing the survey.
Thanks
From Researchers
Dear all
We are excited to invite you to take part in a survey on Economic Inequality and Social Cohesion in Somalia.
This morning I visited Professor Mohamed El-Moctar El-Shinqiti in his Office. Compared notes and discussed a number of issues. At the end he gave me his latest book on the Constitutional Crises of the Islamic Civilization - an area am interested Am grateful to Prof. Shinqiti.
Cilmi-baarayaal badan oo kala yimid dunida oo ku kulmaya usbuucan Magaalada Daara-Salaam ee Tanzania ayaan ka mid ahay. Waxaa la isu keenay cilmi-baarisyo (warqado) laga diyaariyey 13 magaalo oo ku yaal Africa. Muqdusho waa ka mid.
Daara-Salaam waa magaalo weyn oo ammaankeedu uu
Su'aal: Dowladda dhexe iyo maamul-goboleedyada kee baa la raacayaa? Jawaab: Midna. Marka hore waa in laga heshiiyo awoodaha ay kala leeyihiin, dastuurkana lagu caddeeyo. Dastuurkaas ayaa la raacayaa oo labadaba ka sarreynaya. Halkan ka dhageyso:
Thank you Dr. Maryan. You will be remembered as the only minister that voted against our government's bad decision. Hope that the Somali government will reverse its decision and give an apology to ONLF and Qalbi-dhagax.
This is historic mistake. The leadership took the country into uncharted territory. President
@M_Farmaajo
, PM
@MohamedHRoble
and the leadership of House of People own the consequences. Let us hope that politicians understand the only way out of the crises is political agreement.
H.E
@M_Farmaajo
urges the Citizens to seize the historic chance to choose their destiny as the House of the People voted to return the elections mandate to the people. This followed after the failure of FMS members to support the implementation the initial Sep 17, 2020 Agreement.
Innaa Lillaahi Wa Innaa Ilayhi Raajicuun. Qoyska, ehelada, saaxiibbada & Soomaalidaba waxaan uga tacsisyeynayaa geerida ku timid abwaan Maxamed Ibraahim Warsame "Hadraawi". Waxaan ka mid ahaa dadka ku xiran oo wax badan ka kororsaday Hadraawi & suugaantiisaba. Allaha u naxariisto
I just finished reading the four chapters of the constitution that the committee presented for discussion.
In reality, almost every article and/or clause has been either modified or changed. Many new articles and clauses have been introduced. A few articles have been deleted.
A timely and useful article by Mohamed Trunji - "The legal wrangling over the Act of Union between the two States of Somaliland and Somalia in 1960." Read it here
As the first two years of the
#Somalia
government draw to a close, it appears to me that the “winner takes all” mindset that guided it may also be reaching its end. It would be surprising if realignments do not occur, with some members of the opposition joining the government and
Find President
@M_Farmaajo
's statement on z election confusing. He calls for a timely election based on the constitution and the electoral law. Yet, the Commission said it cannot organize the election that the electoral law mandates on time. How? Think clarification is in order.
Maamul-goboleedyadu ma doorasho dadban bay galayaan mise waqti dheeraad ayaa loo kordhinayaa? Waa laba khiyaar oo aan midna wanaagsaneyn. Waxaan qabaa inay doorasho dadban aadaan. Laakiin waa inay noqoto mid ka roon kuwii hore ee ay gali jireen. Waqti in loogu daro waxba soo
Dr. Mohamed Omar, Prof. Abdi Samatar, and I on
#Somaliland
and
#Somalia
10 yrs ago. I argued then, "Efforts to attain recognition for SL failed & efforts to establish authority from Mog. failed... Time to establish the state from Hargeysa?" What changed?