http://world.time.com/2013/05/06/italys-first-black-minister/?iid=gs-main-lead Cecile Kyenge, Italy’s first black government minister, proposes a law that would give citizenship to the children of immigrants if they are born on Italian soil. Under the current legislation, Italian nationality is passed on most commonly by blood, meaning the grandchildren of an Italian who has never set foot in the country has more rights to citizenship than someone who was born in Rome to foreign parents. But even if Kyenge, 48, is unable to push a single piece of legislation through Parliament, she will already have secured an important legacy. Her April 27 appointment as Minister for Integration in Italy’s newly formed government has kicked off a much-needed discussion on race and immigration in a country that still struggles to come to terms with its rapid transformation. That discussion has taken some brutal turns. “Kyenge wants to impose her tribal traditions from the Congo,” said Mario Borghezio, a member of the European Parliament for Italy’s anti-immigration Northern League in an April 30 radio interview. “She seems like a great housekeeper,” he added. “But not a government minister.” Even in Italy, a country all too often permeated by casual bigotry, Borghezio’s words were a step too far. An online petition calling for him to be sanctioned or evicted from his post has gathered more than 75,000 signatures, and the Northern League’s leader, Roberto Maroni, a former Interior Minister, has come under pressure to denounce him. Maroni himself reacted with hostility to Kyenge, voicing opposition to her proposal on citizenship. (MORE: All the Old, Familiar Faces) Meanwhile, the Italian government has launched an investigation into neo-fascist websites, on which Kyenge has been denigrated as a “Congolese monkey” and “the black anti-Italian.” In a press conference on May 3, Kyenge, an eye surgeon living in Modena, denounced the attacks as representative of a minority opinion and called for the public at large to respond. “I’m black and I’m proud of it,” she said. “It’s important to underline that.” Born in the Congo, Kyenge moved to Italy in the 1980s to study medicine in Rome, before obtaining a position in a hospital in Modena. She met her husband, a native Italian with whom she has two children, after he underwent surgery in her department. Kyenge was at the forefront of a dramatic demographic shift in Italy. As recently as 1991, just 1 in 100 residents held a foreign passport. Today, it’s 1 out of every 12. For every five children delivered in the country, one is born to a foreign parent. Unlike Kyenge, most of Italy’s recent arrivals are poor and employed in jobs that Italians refuse: construction workers, maids, caregivers for the elderly. The foreign-born middle class has yet to establish itself, while the first generation of immigrant children born and educated in the country is just moving into the workforce. While Italians don’t like to think of their country as racist, the experience of non-white Italians and resident immigrants illustrates a culture that has found it hard to welcome increasing diversity. “How many times have I been told, ‘You’re so beautiful, you don’t even seem truly black?’” says Medhin Paolos, 23, an Italian of Eritrean descent and a member of Rete G2, a group campaigning for a reform of Italy’s citizenship laws. “Where I come from, this is not a compliment.” A study by the University of Messina and the anti-discrimination group ARCI found that a substantial majority of the children of immigrants reported being insulted on the streets, talked down to by teachers, watched with suspicion in shops, turned away from restaurants and treated rudely by immigration officials. In 2002, the Italian government passed a law requiring all non-Italian residents to have their fingerprints taken, as part of the process for applying for residency. “There’s the idea that black people stink,” says Jean Zongo, 28, the son of African immigrants. There was a period when he was younger, Zongo was afraid to take the bus at night, for fear of encountering racial violence. More than once, he has climbed aboard to hear a group of young men grunting like monkeys. It’s a charmless display of racism that has migrated from Italy’s soccer stadiums — where Mario Balotelli, the Italian football star of Ghanaian heritage, has famously faced chants of “There’s no such thing as a black Italian” — to youth culture at large. Zongo has traveled to France, Spain and England. Only in his own country, he says, is he made to feel second class. “[Discrimination] is present in just about every aspect of life, in every circumstance,” he says. (MORE: Why Always Mario?) Kyenge’s appointment gives cause for hope that things will get better for Italy’s immigrant population. But according to Ferruccio Pastore, director of the Turin-based International and European Forum for Migration Research, Kyenge won’t have an easy ride as she tries to create legislation to speed that process. “The real proof will be whether she will be backed politically,” says Pastore. “Will she be able to do something? Or will she be kept there as a kind of token?” Kyenge, who served as a spokesperson for a group calling for immigrant rights, is new to national politics; she was elected to Parliament in February. Her Ministry doesn’t have a budget, and she’s part of a government that’s divided and whose priority will be to fix Italy’s battered economy. “[Her appointment] is a positive symbol,” says Mohamed Tailmoun, the spokesperson for Rete G2. “But we’re not looking for symbolic acts, but concrete ones. What’s important is that she’s able to obtain a majority in Parliament. And this unfortunately doesn’t depend on the Minister, but on the courage of the whole Italian political class.” Appearing on an Italian talk show on May 5, Kyenge said her proposal will be ready “in the coming weeks.” She’ll soon get a chance to discover what her fellow parliamentarians are made of. Read more: http://world.time.com/2013/05/06/italys-first-black-minister/#ixzz2ScyKbOrf

Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar;946537 wrote: Kenya, a land with 43,000,000 people and 47 tribes, plus in as many languages, did not opt for federalism after a long process. Their final option? Decentralized unitary state, which they implemented. Our neighbour is doing that should give us a pause, tell us to take off the clan-interest ookiyaal some are wearing. Let it not blind you. And what is federalism about if one has its own army, marine, flag, printing its own currency, sending and receiving international envoys without notification or coordination from the central state. Or if one invites a known occupier of Soomaali land. What in name of federalism in that is federal? This is the problem when you are so caught up in a position you can't analyze it objectively. Everyone has flags from states, cities to organizations. It doesn't mean that much. Many sub-national states have armies and troops - nothing new. Printing its own currency? - presumably PL here - in the absence of a central bank - and individual businessmen printing currency in the south - why begrudge them of printing currency? I think you should concentrate on trying to ensure Somali federalism works like it does in Canada - not coming with meritless reasons to oppose the system altogether.

Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar;946522 wrote: Plus, federalism isn't for Soomaalida iyo Soomaaliya. It isn't a new idea. It was around since '50s. A minor, self-clan interest-seeking Soomaalis supported then, led by marxuum C/qaadir Soobe. He spent his political career in '50s and '60s espousing this very idea, even going as far as to Qaramada Midoobay's General Assembly in '50s. He wasn't successful. Neither will this time. People and lands opt for federalism for reasons known, such as great landmass that separates people within a country, ethnic divisions, religious divisions, language divisions -- Soomaalis, as far as we know, do not have any of these divisive issues. Clan issue is nothing close to that. MMA - the era for dictation is over. If certain ppl inhabiting a certain region wish this - you nor anyone else is able to legitimately oppose it. Similarly if another ppl inhabiting another region wish to be governed by Xamar directly - I don't oppose it but unlike I won't dictate their governing choice to them. BTW - what's the difference between BC and Alberta or North and South Dakota in terms of the criteria you cited? Come on.

Carafaat;946520 wrote: ElPunto, The author made some pretty good arguments and you just repeated the same statements in line with the old prescription of 1998. What was a temporary solution back in 1998 with clan administration, dividing regions and peoples, a divided Mudug and a divided Galkacyo, you are describing for the rest of Somalis in 2013. Why dont you try to come with new arguments and a new vision in line with recent developments in Mogadishu. The city has moved, it is being pacified, the green line that excisted for decades has been removed and the city has a unified leadership. For sure the same can be done In Mudug and Galkacyo or are you still confinced that people(clans) can't share a common local and regional goverment administration. Carafaat - this jumping and jiving style that you habitually engage in is not an adult conversation. I showed why the author's piece was full of weak arguments. You can show me why my argument is weak. Otherwise nagada nac-nacda.

Carafaat;946509 wrote: The case of Kismayo is a pretty good example what is to come in a federal Somalia. Division, Disunity and Decapitating any small step Somalia will try to make(even if that means with the help of Foreign muscles) . I dont think Somalia would survice another Kismayo debacle. One more case like that and we can say goodbye to any aspiration the Somali people will have. You haven't shown anything here - you're just making declarative statements that are congruent with your baseless opinions. Try again.

Daqane;945931 wrote: Limited number of federal regions of--say maximum four to five super regions, with clearly defined boundaries, clan-diversity, economic viability, access to sea and water resources and genuine grassroots participation among all inhabitants; and Given the constitutional mandate that Somalia is a Federal Republic, even though this is by no means a fait accompli in the absence of a national referendum, and given that a return to a unitary state at this stage is unlikely even though it is much more practical and suitable for the country, I would then put forward the following compromise proposal as an alternative to clan-based federalism for all sides to consider which is the establishment of super regions within the federal mandate. The creation of super regions instead of clan-based regions will help bring back necessary societal cohesion, coexistence and collaboration in the reconstruction of a robust and stable region and state. Super regions will naturally encompass vast territories of land inhabited by diverse communities with full access to sea and water resources and are as follows: South : Lower Jubba, Middle Juba, Gedo, Bay and Bakol; Central: Lower Shabelle, Middle Shabelle and Hiran; Short North: Galgadud, Mudug, Bari and Nugal; North: Northwest, Awdal, Togdheer, Sool and Sanag. Mogadishu: Federal Zone. Acceptance of such a proposal requires a genuine national reconciliation effort that paves the way for the collective desire and readiness to heal past wounds and forge ahead a new social compact that is fair and just for everyone. Abdinur Mohamud, Ph.D. abdulnuur@hotmail.com I don't understand this re-arranging of the deck chairs of the Titanic. If federalism is a poor governing choice for Somalia - why would arranging it in these particular regions work? How would this project an affective strong Somali union that the author lamented would be lost in a federal framework? If the Jubas and Gedo agree to form their own region - how does the addition of Bay and Bakool add or subtract anything to the framework? The author complains about 'clan hegemony' and 'gerrymandering' but he wants to gerrymander regions to his own desires and wishes? Would the author support a super state of Bari, Nugal, Mudug, the Jubbas and Gedo? What is the criteria for these superstates? At the end of the day - there is no real argument against federalism working in Somalia. It has become fashionable of late to say - no I don't oppose ppl forming X federal states(because no one can oppose democracy these days) - but the process is flawed or not inclusive or not xxx as long as it falls short of opposing the very formation of a federal state. This will not work in the long run for the Somali government in Mogadishu. There will not be a return to a centralized state buttressed by a powerful military. Federal states will be formed along the lines of folks who desire to come together and form a state not along the lines of a dictation from Xamar or elsewhere.

Daqane;945930 wrote: In retrospect, what the advocates of a constitutionally mandated federalism fail to acknowledge is the critical need for human capacity to effectively fuel the engines of effective regional and local entities as well as cultivate a sound and reliable tax base necessary for economic vitality. Otherwise, the responsibility to meet basic governmental demands throughout the nation will naturally revert back to the central authority. Viable and sustainable regional states and municipal authorities cannot be erected from a vacuum with pride and emotions alone; it requires a balanced mix of complex ingredients including clan diversity, human capacity and economic vitality. Moreover, contemporary clan-based regions do not guarantee legitimate ownership of land and property to other citizens living in the region, while their returning kinfolk living elsewhere in the country or abroad can instantly claim their ancestral origin and get easy access to the privileges of their membership. Additionally, supporters of a unitary system of government fear that a weakened central authority characteristic of Somali style federalism may render an effectively functioning Somali union impossible. Many see clan-based federalism as a zero-sum game in which power gained by the states creates powerful clan hegemonies that exact a hefty price on the honor and overall standing of the national government. They contend that a critical review of existing regional authorities would clearly show centralized quasi-autocratic entities that are not much different in design, scope and appearance from the centralized unitary national systems they vehemently oppose. A viable Somali state, they believe, can only survive in the politically volatile region of the Horn of Africa, if it is able to project the collective will of the Somali people and can coexist in equal hegemonic terms to the strong authorities in Nairobi and Addis Ababa. Given the above and the inability of the proposed regions to attract necessary human capacity and economic vitality, it is impractical if not impossible to establish any sound federal or decentralized unitary system in Somalia today in the absence of the following: This is the sum total of the opposition to federalism in Somalia and it is pretty weak. 1- Federal regions in all parts of the world have taxing powers and national redistributive policies to help less wealthy regions - the same would happen in Somalia. 'Tax base necessary for economic vitality' - I don't know how one guages that and decides what is vital or not. In the 20 plus years Mogadishu port/airport(the most 'vital' in the country) was a shambles - communities in the north built schools, hospitals and roads. Can anyone argue against their vitality? 2- The constitution requires federal regions to comprise 2 or more of the 18 provinces thus ensuring a minimum level of population and size. Any wealth disparity between regions would be addressed by redistributive policies. 3- Guaranteeing legitimacy and ownership of land and property is dependent on following the rule of law not what type of government structure is in place. You can have people dispossessed of their land in a highly centralized state such as Barre's. What has federalism to do with discrimination and theft? This is an objection without merit. 4- How does federalism render an 'effective Somali union impossible'? Are other federal nations unable to project broad national interest? If all federal regions have buy-in to the national policies - how can federalism impede effective Somali union? This argument is saying that a future federal Somalia would be the only federal country in the world unable to project its broad national interest while all the rest can and thus federalism is the cause. 5- A future federal Somalia representing the will of all its citizens in all its regions will be in a much stronger position that either Ethiopia and Kenya.

^I'm just giving you my impression. Relax. Are you sure the butthurt doesn't include you?

^You didn't but when one says a 'people' have been enslaved - that image comes to mind.

^Notwithstanding Chimera's propensity to inflate Somalis' past achievements - mass scale slavery of Somalis isn't something I've seen in any literature. I do believe that some Somalis may have been enslaved but a history of slave master predations and victimization would be necessary to conclude that Somalis as a people were enslaved. Good thread - it's a really interesting history.

Good stuff. They could take that seasonal water and store it for irrigation purposes. We see so very little of diaspora going back apart from Xamar and PL/SL - it's nice if we got to see other parts of the south of the country.

^Don't you see Alpha - her turkeys engage in the immaculate defecation - where it came from and where it went - no one knows.

I think Somali women need to exercise their rights in Islam if they don't want to share their husbands. You can specify in your marriage contract - no second wife or automatic divorce. At the end of the day - I'm not sure any man can justify taking other wives if they truly love their first. Another point - many of the Sahaba married multiple woman for maintenance of widows and orphans. There was a degree of selflessness in that.

^Surely humanitarian instincts would trump concern about these turkeys! I did notice you didn't photograph the little presents these birds leave behind everywhere(Pro-Turkey bias much). We had the same issue but they got moved - there is only so much toleration after Very Important People got their shiny loafers soiled.

And what is all this BS about the Hungry Homeless

They should confiscate their boats and send them home. Anyone caught fishing in those waters should have their vessels taken away - whether trawler or small boat.

^Hitting the kids in Pakistan. Since Cayrow there hasn't been a single top Al-Shabaab leader captured or killed(to my mind - I could most definitely be wrong). The govt has got to take the war to these guys. Al-Amriki - wow - this guy is asking for it unless he's being protected.

^That doesn't make any sense to me. I grant you his trip to PL resulted in missteps. But how that equates to broad political failure is a mystery to me. To be a good politician - you have to get things in a hostile and antagonistic environment - what better proving ground that his time in Mogadishu? Faroole is a politician by virtue of his office - he is most definitely not a good politician on regional matters but he has been an effective leader of the federalism project.

I don't agree at all with your analysis on Gaas. Gaas was the PM in the TFG - all he did was build consensus and coalitions to move his administration's agenda forward. He didn't have the luxury of operating with the complete autonomy that Faroole has in his bailiwick. Furthermore - Faroole has antagonized a number of constituencies needlessly with his poor diplomatic skills and knee jerk speechifying. I can't remember Gaas making any controversial statements. What PL needs is capable technocrat who can build consensus and achieve concrete economic and governance results. Also - someone who has the political and international savvy to get the oil exploration on a sound and lasting footing in order to address the overwhelming needs of the region and the country.

As long as there is a fair process and relative transparency - people can live with the outcome. IMO - Faroole should go - he hasn't built good relations with and among the key stakeholders whatever else good he's done. Cabdiweli is giving speeches all over - any ideas about his affiliation with any party or whether he has any serious interest in PL politicking?

^I hope you(and the lot) will still have these warm feelings for El Presidente when he lets you down regarding your aspirations. Honeymoon period iga dheh.

^Carafat, bro - you need some time off SOL - last I remember you had half the posts you have now. And I'm not sure all that posting has improved the logic of your arguments. Dabrow;937315 wrote: No need to personalize this Xiin. I have neither problem with Kenya or other AMISOM country when they operate as security stabilizer but my protests starts when they start to carve out buffer zones under the disguise of federalism. But they[Kenya] are not carving out a buffer zone. The locals are carving out a regional administration under the governing principle of the land - federalism. If their desire to self administer also helps out Kenya against Al-Shabaab infiltration why would anyone argue with that? No one can dictate to Somalis what is against their wishes and desires - remember the selling of the sea incident. This administration is the desire of the locals and no one, especially a foreign country is in a position to impose its interests unilaterally.

This whole situation has been extremely badly mishandled by the President. It will be interesting to see what happens now in the Parliament since Mr Jawaari has been completely silent regarding this issue.

^I think he may have received prelim numbers given his position as a minister but clearly the UN is not finished its work. Not sure if the gallery has access to those numbers though. He would have been better served if he took his concerns privately to the UN. Seems so many Somali ministers need Government 101 and Media Relations 101 when they're appointed to the post.

On a serious note - where isthe preliminary data that made the minister so mad? There hasn't been a UN sponsored census since their one of 2005.