SomaliPage Editorial In His Attempt to Free Himself from Federalism Constraints, President Hassan Risks Executive Overreach. Somalia has been the textbook example of failed state since late eighties. It has been battered by long and grueling civil war. The country and its poor inhabitants were caught in last two decades in a cycle of violent clan disputes, famine, fanaticism, and piracy. After twenty years of savage internecine tribal strife, hostile foreign interferences, religious insurgency, cosmetic reconciliation exercises and successive corrupt transitional governments, Somali politicians have finally overcame whatever spell the long civil war have casted on them and decided to turn the page and adopt a new political paradigm. Clan representatives that gathered in Mogadishu in mid 2012 have reached consensus in adopting federation based on pre-civil war administrative regions and enshrined this unfamiliar (to Somalis) political concept in (yet to be ratified) Provisional Constitution. But it would be a mistake to read too much into progress that had been made. Significant features of Provisional Constitution include provision of federal system of Somalia. But such matters as the status of Mogadishu, the capital, and of the borders and the distribution of power and resources between federal states were left undecided. Overall political process was not without controversy either. Draft constitution was rushed to completion. Reconciliation had been and remains to be cosmetic, unreal and incomplete. Al Shabaab forces are still around. And government is weak and counts on AMISOM forces for its security. Nevertheless the adoption of federation in Garowe’s grand compromise played pivotal role in convincing all political stakeholders to place their guarded trust in this new social contract and for the first time pledge their allegiance to post-transitional government. It is safe to portray federalism in Somali context as a bargaining game between clan(s) in power and the opposition clans out of power. To govern the country effectively the central government (the president in particular) needs the political support and mutual cooperation, in the spirit of unity, of not only the members of the Parliament in their capacity as representatives of districts of their clans but also the governors of the federal member states as well. This political arrangement denies clan(s) in power the excesses and immunity the likes of Mohamed Siad Barre’s administration used to enjoy. It empowers opposition parties (clans) and adds a “veto players” to the democratic politics. Such definitive system of checks and balances are inconvenient obstacle in the way of clan(s) in power, hence the current administration in Mogadishu’s disdain for formation of new federal member states. After all Clause 2, Article 48 of Chapter 5 – Devolution of Powers Of Government In Federal Republic Of Somalia – stipulates that single regions that are not part of existing federal member state “shall be directly administered by The Federal Government for maximum period of two years”. Government’s position on formation of the new federal member states is wrong but understandable. It stand to reason, from their part, to ask why help create yet another political forces, on top of existing federal member states, that would certainly constrain the power of federal government to shape the agenda in the crucial post conflict period? According to press accounts, the administration in Mogadishu has formally decided to oppose the way the formation of federal member state of Jubba is managed. Note the government’s claim that it does not oppose the formation of federal member states. It merely wants, the prime minister insists, to guide, to influence and to facilitate state formation process. In other words, it wants to control the outcome. Ironically, it cited Article 48 of Provisional Constitution as the reason it opposes grassroots deliberation in Kismayo.

Oba, this xiinfaniin online persona is, I believe, cherished more than it is hated. I guess I am able to distinguish (most of the time), who xiinfaniin persona is and who the person behind the computer is. xiniinya cadde

Abwaan;924745 wrote: xiin, predictable reality but you were against it although you have changed your view in the last minute. So Nin-Yaaban has a point. Abwaan, I would still be against it if I had my way. But partial lifting of embargo is much better than a completel removal of it.

^^Awoowe, It does not matter who got rubbed the wrong way. But I take it that you are one of them. Positions I take seldom change, and there is no exception here. Some may say what got ultimately delineated in the SC resolution does not amount much in terms of what Somalia needs to revamp its security forces. But I am bit generous than that and see the efforts of the president come to a full fruition politically speaking. The president got a rough start...came across as an activist , and not a leader. Kismayo remains the biggest political test and we shall see whether he stays on his double talk course or appreciates the history of the city and the civil war expereince whose values seems to elude him.

Nin Dhoohan, I will admit a loss if Jubbaland does not materialize, if that is what you are after. This was predictable really, and the administration did a great job in presenting it a reasonable way.

Zack is contemplating recognizing 'walaalaha galgaduud' in Marka as a neighborly region, if Oba's new position holds

^^Actually you know if the current national leaders choose to visit Garoowe they will be afforded the courtesy they deserve. Those in Jubbaland and Puntland somehow are able to discern the difference between the national offices and those who occupy them, unlike the Abwaans in centeral regions and Oba's confused ilk in Mogadishu So yes if they visit Kismayo or Garoowe, they will be welcomed in a visible way. Learn the skills waryaa ...

Mario B;924711 wrote: This government would have belonged to you too, if you weren't busy subverting it. Zack, by supporting the constitution, is indeed supporting the administration of Hassan Sheekh. The road for Somalia's revival goes through Jubbaland Federal State of Somalia . Oppose it, and failure will be your destiny

LOL Oba we welcome your support

^^And you talk about 'comprehension' As you were, Macno Yare

^^President Hassan is a national leader who has an intention (perhaps a good one) to define the political terms of post transition Somalia. He is not a warlord. Thus far his attempts to influence Jubba politics has been carried out in acceptable politicking that is clearly in line of how politics ought to be conducted in post transition Somalia. Our disagreements with the president does not go beyond the interpretation of what federalism means. We believe Jubba leadership has the political high ground with respect to this argument. Consequently our national leaders will come around, accept and endorse it. They are not however wrong from political perspective in their attempt to shape, influence and water down the significance of state that is about to emerge at the mouth of Mogadishu for obvious political reasons. Now you take that simple, internal political argument and want to buttress with Security Council resolutions. That my friend I find it insulting to the intelligence of the readership of this fora. And when you got caught peddling such a nonsense, you play victim :D, and complain about xiinfaniin... Today the Security Council has issued significant resolutions concerning Somalia. The long arms embargo has been lifted partially. It is a victory for the Somali government, and they should be given credit for procuring their request in a way western countries can understand i.e. fight against alshaaab to strengthen Somalia's security forces. Charcoal export has been a source of alshabaab financing...and Kismayo port was the port that sustained them. Jubbaland is a grass root initiative that cannot be stopped regardless of what anyone else wishes against it. It has a security ramification that goes beyond Somalia...get that waryaa. That i s lesson 1 today yaa Macno Yare.

^^He is back to Mogadishu, so is the president. So apparently no Puntland visit is in the works till the Jubbaland issue is resolved.

oba hiloowlow;924683 wrote: xiimaya the pm is going to puntland as well is deji LOL The PM does not have to go to Puntland. I was just saying ...

The reception for the PM in the land of his in laws is notable ...

^^Awoowe, I am not sure what this 'bruised ego' you keep repeating means. Perhaps you are the one with a bruised ego . Be that as it may, if your conclusion is that Security Council has effectively, by this resolution, killed or halted Jubbaland initiative, then as we said before your over excitement with Kismayo topic is clouding your judgement. If you are however implying today's Council resolutions with respect to lifting the embargo (however weakened its effect may be) represents political victory for the government in Mogadishu, then that is agreeable. Perhaps you are conveniently forgetting this perceived political victory applies to all of Somalia's political players are concern in equal measure, including of course that of your neck of the wood as was apparent in today loud press release in Hargeysa. So once again, what are you trying to say here ya Macno Yare?

' charcoal export ' has been stopped in Kismayo. The point of contention has been around inventory of harvested charcoal. And that to my knowledge has been settled. The admin will sell the inventory, ganacsadayaashii lahaana waxooday helayaan , maamulkuna wax buu ka helayaa Macno is as always reading too much into this. Al cilmul qaliil yuqal qilu saaxibah

Shall we say Kenyan Somalis are most sophisticated... politically .

Lets watch the prime minister's itinerary, some say he is headed to Taleex , the seat of Khatumo itself

So we will have to wait three more days (friday inclusive ) to know the winner for sure !

Nuune, Arms that are sold to a poor, conflict ridden country like Somalia are typically sold via shady dealers. Expect more heavy, lethal weaponry in Somalia.

NGONGE , thanks for posting the actual wording of the UN resolution. Cannot buy surface-to-air missiles, guns, howitzers and cannons and related ammunition and components', Has to give at least five days notice of deliveries, and purchases. Will be subjected to a UN expert monitory regime

UK watered down the original request ---the embargo is lifted in name only. But this is a major victory for the government in Mogadishu.

^^Abwaan baa raba inuu badiyee maad yara sugtid, yaa separatist

Waranle_Warrior;923598 wrote: ^Nabi allow ninkastaa afkiisa kugu amaan ma maqli jirtay, qofkasta meel ayay utaagantahay. Ninkaa kaa koreeya Baydhabo Ethiopianka haysta wuu taageersanyahay Kenyana waxbuu kasheegaaya. LOL@nabi allow ninkastaa afkiisa kugu ammaan

Jacpher, Abwaan/USC days are numbered. You can see the dilemma facing him He was told dalka marka laga saaro dhowr tuulo waqooyi bari ku yaal, USC baa koonfur leh, that is why he is rattled when the reality of Jubbaland begin to sink in. The enemy clan is about to claim a major southern state at the mouth of Mogadishu. How could it be is the question in Abwaan's feeble mind. It is so because the isbaaro era is over, and people are asserting their rights to govern themselves as the constitution gives them that privilege. Kenya is not different than Uganda. But in Abwaan's twisted USC mind, Kenya is helping the enemy clan so it is really bad. It is not that Abwaan has any problems with Kenya or Ethiopia per se. His disagreements with a fellow Somali clan is much deeper. That is why today when the prime minister is escorted by AMISOM troops to visit his OWN home town, Abwaan does not see it as an issue. When Ethiopian troops surround the governor of Baydhabo on the behest of Hassan Sheekh, Abwaan is cool with it. In Beledweyne, the Ethiopian troops controlling it is non issue. On Kismayo and Kenyan troops, that is a different story , our USC brother are so transparent PS. when xiinfaniin was supportive of Courts, Abwaan liked him not because xiin was pro courts, but the position xiin took meant he would be against A Yusuf (AUN), the leader of the enemy clan .