Published By:
Dr. Abdi Ulusso
Executive Director
Somali Council for Refugees
(416) - 249 4553 |
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Mogadishu
is not a Jerusalem, where one has to examine the three aspects
of the problem that, are irreconcilable to find a solution;
and these are religion, history and politics.
The city
of Mogadishu is situated in the tribal land of Mudulood and
it belongs to them and the people of Banadir (REER XAMAR)
who are also traditional inhabitants of the city and there
shouldn't be an issue the status of the city as the national
Capital.
Mudulood
demands that, all other clans to recognize and respect the
traditional inhabitants to run the basic units of their local
government affairs such as electing their own officials, access
to land, water and enforcement of all government policy including
land registration.
This means
giving recognition to customary rules and procedures of indigenous
institutions, which demand autonomous powers over the city.
However, it doesn't mean other Somalis are not welcome but
on the contrary they are allowed to live, buy a property,
own a business, work and invest as they see fit.
The city
can accommodate the entire Somali population and all can live
in peace and harmony to claim as their Capital. We all understand
that, Mogadishu has a special status recognized by the United
Nations and the International community as the Capital of
Somalia.
It is
highly urbanized and continues to grow rapidly, even now after
decade of no central authority. However, it is not different
in terms of city administration than Hargeysa, Jowhar, Bossasso,
Galcaio or Baydhaba, which all belong to a Somali clan.
We all
remember when Mr. Ali Mahdi and Hussein Aideed tried to set
up a Joint Administration of Benadir to govern Mogadishu and
surrounding areas but did not materialize.
Their
authority became limited and their struggle to gain control
of the city has failed. This is because, it has angered a
lot of Mudulood, which felt that, Mr. Ali Mahdi has betrayed
them by agreeing to a joint administration of their city,
and accepting an interference of another clan in their internal
affairs.
And it
prompted calls for change of Mudulood leadership to pave the
way for new faces that will earn all-important support and
adopt real priorities that will visualize what profound changes
are needed if current Mudulood disintegration is to be halted.
I understand
the concerns of some clans about the security issues surrounding
the city of Mogadishu that, they have risen as a problem.
It is true that, political violence and banditry remain a
problem; gunfights between rival factions are common occurrence,
but it is up to all Somalis, not only Mudulood, if other clans
truly want to claim Mogadishu as their national capital to
restore peace and security collectively in order to bring
law and order back.
However,
we all know to well that, these clans while pleading publicly
for peace and reconciliation are eager to capitalize on the
failure of the Djibouti peace. It is naïve to suggest that,
"when claiming a sub clan" the city of Mogadishu to belong
is incompatible as being a national capital.
Mudulood
didn't ask Mogadishu to be the national Capital of Somalia
but the city got on its own merit because it had and still
does what it takes to be a national Capital. In addition,
Mudulood would not object if all Somali clans agree to move
it to another city.
It is
hard pressed to understand, if some clans wish to resurrect
the mob rule of the successive governments and their clan
associates who squandered the countries resources by amassing
public wealth to enrich relatives.
The current
driving force questioning the legitimacy of Mogadishu to be
the national Capital are these groups who are greedy and want
to get rich through thievery while the original inhabitants
of the city were getting poorer and nothing will satisfy them
except their way or no way.
This means
the Capital has to be moved if they are not getting their
life style back of living in posh villas built on speculated
land and stolen money; or government built subsidized housing,
or living the houses left behind by the Italians without paying
rent as their own.
It is
obvious that, the traditional inhabitants of the city are
not happy and "certain clans" have voiced concerns, which
are tactical issue to undermine the prospects for peace and
make Mogadishu as a national issue.
Capital
cities can be renamed, changed or moved and therefore, Mogadishu
shouldn't be an issue that derails and jeopardizes the whole
Djibouti peace initiative.
The current
proposal of moving the capital city to Hargeysa or Baydhaba
is acceptable but I would add the list also Merka, Baraawa,
Kismaayo and Berbera, which are worth considering.
Among
many requisites for a national capital it should be located
an area away from the borders where enemy planes cannot reach
the capital city to terrorize civilians and cause havoc and
damage.
Nonetheless,
I want to remind other clans that, the great Somali patriot
and poet Sayid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan once said " DAD LALA
DEGO IYO DARISNIMO ABGAAL BAA LEH", it was true one hundred
years ago and it is true now.
Historically,
the city and its traditional inhabitants have suffered many
injustices and endured a lot of abuse. And the city was ill
equipped in terms of planning and financial resources to cope
with growth.
The capital
received no financial assistance from the central government,
and its income base was eroded by a pricing policy which charged
only 3 so. Sh. per square meter of land while private market
land prices ranged from so. Sh. 33.125 in new areas without
services, to So. Sh. 250-400 in developing villages, to So.
Sh. 600-1000 in the city center.
As a result,
widespread land speculation and disputes of ownership and
inefficient revenue to improve Municipal services. It was
after 22 years in 1982 that, the Mogadishu City Planning was
established and it lacked a master plan and made ad hoc attempts
to deal urban growth without any operative maps, plans, or
demographic data.
This has
resulted, urban sprawl with inefficient land use, no provision
of infrastructure or services to new neighborhoods.
We are
all aware, the state organized terror and injustices done
to the city and its traditional inhabitants and where basic
tenets of humanitarian law violated, while all other clans
turned their back on them. Monopoly on power to impose clan
hegemony was the norm and land in the city remained a source
of power with which to reward or punish, as is appropriate.
The impact
was devastating to Mudulood and Reer Xamar, which was marginalized
and has lost politically, socially and economically.
Similarly,
during Siad Barre and following his fall an ugly and senseless
war was leashed on the city and its inhabitants that have
claimed many lives of innocent civilians, seriously maimed
many others, and great majority of victims being Mudulood.
The Mudulood
people continue to be under constant threat for their lives,
property; and are filled with anger and anxiety but predictably,
recognize their exceptional circumstance as a voice of reason
and maintain a positive outlook for Somali unity and peace.
Mudulood
are more likely lifelong idealists who remain true to the
Somali cause but others clans are into being "victims" and
wish to gain some concessions at the peace table. The only
issue for Mogadishu is the demarcation of its physical jurisdiction,
which now is spreading into the surrounding areas.
It must
be limited to its original size of 528 square kilometers.
Furthermore, Mogadishu must be restructured for administrative
purposes to manage it easily and reduce waste and duplication.
It should
be self-governing city with Municipal Corporation and administrative
units of five Boroughs that will send two Representatives
each to the National Parliament. In addition it will have
an elected Governor and an elected Mayor.
The following
are the basic units of the local government proposed: ·
KARAAN
BOROUGH (Karaan, Cabdicasiis, Huriwa) ·
XAMAR
BOROUGH (Xamar-weyne, Xamar jajab, Shangaani) ·
MEDINA
BOROUGH (Wadajir, Waaberi, Dharkeynley) ·
WARDHIGLEY
BOROUGH (Wardhigley, Hawl-wadaag, Hodan) · BOONDHEERE BOROUGH(
Boondheere, Yaakhshiid, Shibis)
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