Mogadishu Security Plan: Civil Security Force

[Meiji]

Me:

Few questions

 

1. Is the population of Mogz nowadays not dispersed per clan? For example one clan in South Mogz, another in North Mogz, another on the West-side of the city etc etc.

2. So if the people of the city make militia have to protect themselves, won’t these militia’s be along clan lines?

3. So what makes this clan militia’s more different then the clan militia’s that preceded them?

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Me,

 

You have legitimate questions and concerns.

 

However lets look at the city and its recent past.

 

Since 1991, the security has been organized along clan lines in which every clan had a militia and the members of the clan had to live within certain boundaries to enjoy the protection of the clan militia.

 

That process was logical and natural considering the nature of state collapse, anarchy and the proliferation of clannist organisations in Somalia (The clannist Jabhado).

 

Also, during that time the division of the city was clearly visible and was illustrated by the infamous ''Green Line'' and the massive clan conflicts as the ''4 Months war''.

 

 

However, the clan militia's proved to be incapabale of providing security for the clan members and had instead resorted to illegal checkpoints, extortions, and senseless petty conflicts.

 

The ''Green Line'' dissapeared slowly, and the ''4 Months War'' type of conflicts have become something of the past.

 

The failure of the clan militia paved the way for the organisation of security along semi-clan, semi-religious method: the emergence of the Islamic courts based on clan units.

 

Now, with the failure of the religious movement and the fragmentation of and senseless conflict between the different Islamic militia's we are on the edge of the emergence of another method of security organisation: citizen based security arrangements.

 

Mogadishu city is currently mixed, with some clans dominating some sections but nontheless living with others. The city itself is no different then Hargaisa, Bosaso, Kismaanyo, Beledweyne, Gaalkacio who are all composed of different groups living together but some dominanting some districts but still living with other groups.

 

The citizen-based security arrangement can lead to:

 

- The provision of security on the neighbourhood level.

 

In this it does not matter who you are, what your clan is, the only relevant question is:

 

- Do you live in the neighbourhood?, if yes your security is provided by the neighbourhood miltia that itself is composed of young men living in that neighbourhood and thus having a stake in it.

 

When things get off the ground and the strategy becomes succesfull, all Somalis can buy (or reclaim) a house in Mogadishu city and live in a neighbourhood of their choice and their security will be provided by the citizen-based security organisation (ciidan madani). They ofcourse will either contribute to the civil security force with money or manpower, what every suits them.

 

After security organisation follows the revolutionizing of political organisation (institutions) in Mogadishu and eventually all of Somalia. We can move away from the current clannist-islamist based political organisations and move towards the citizen-based political organisation. Logically, the citizen-based political organisation will mean a democratic political organisation.

 

 

Ponder on these thoughts and see where it can lead.

 

 

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[Meiji]

Me:

 

Great Plan and I do not doubt that there are good intentions. But we all know the saying the road to hell is paved with......yes indeed.

 

I have few practical questions.

 

1. Who will pay for this new force?

2. Who will train them?

3. Who will lead them?

4. Is there any structure to all of this? how will these militia's be coordinated? Is there a command structure?

 

I wouldn't like to see unpaid, untrained neighbourhood militia's manning check points extorting people.

 

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Me,

 

This is an evolutionary process. The good thing is that the first step has been set: the concept of citizen-based security arrangement is now seriously considered and embraced by many in Mogadishu and abroad. Through responding to practical problems arising from day to day, the concept of citizen-based security force will prove its effectiveness. Its finance, managment, training, mandate, leadership etc will be taken care of by those who have or will get a stake in the process.

 

For example, the practical questions which you presented have their practical answers that will set into motion a transformative process in Somalia.

 

An illustration:

 

How will one finance the neighbourhood security force?

 

The financing of the neighbourhood security force will logically lead to the start of taxation on the neighbourhood level. A positive, bottom-up, grassroots introduction of the concept of taxation is achieved. The taxation can start on the lowest tier of city organisation (xaafad/neighbourhoo d) and go all the way to the highest tier of city organisation (degmo or even the whole city itself).

 

Another illustration,

 

Take the leadership of the citizen-based security force,

 

The leadership of the neighbourhood security force will logically lead to the emergence of a security council on the neighbourhood level. A security council needs legitimation and logically needs a political structure above it which can give the security council its mandate. Hence, the emergence of neighbourhood governing council which itself would be composed of influential men/women from the neighbourhood.

 

Ofcourse, the different segments of society will play their role: businessmen, religious leaders, traditional elders, women organizations, student organizations, NGO's etc etc.

 

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We are on the treshold of an evolutionary process which will erupt into a revolution ala the Islamis revolution of 2006.

 

How you might say? Fast rewind to 1991 and the immediate years after the collapse and civil war

 

 

Remember, in 1991-1993,during the heyday of clan-based armed factions and the brutal 4 months war in Mogadishu, some wadaado who were tired of the severe insecurity and high crime in Medina district proposed the creation of an Islamic Court to take care of the security and crime within the district. The concept of semi-religious semi-clan based security arrangement independent of the already existing political factions was embraced by the inhabitants of Medina district and received full support by the prominent political leaders in that district (i.e Muse Suudi) who themselves failed in providing security and law and were eager to ''outsource'' this responsibility. The Islamic court of Medina became an instant hit since security returned and the high crime rates decreased impressively. After this succes the concept was introduced to other districts in Mogadishu, namely Northern Mogadishu and as such stability and law returned to those districts. This evolutionary process went on untill 1995.

 

After 1995, the Islamic courts of Northern Mogadishu, Medina and Barmuda district became so powerfull that they challenged the political leaders of those districts, namely: M.Dheere, Muse Suudi, Ali Mahdi etc. That period witnessed the first instance of factional leaders/warlords vs Islamic courts, and unfortunately and due to been still infant, the Islamic courts lost and the concept of religious-based security arrangement was dismantled.

 

The Islamic court made its introduction in Southern Mogadishu after the main factional leader General Aideed passed away. He himself have been a staunch anti-Islamic court concept since he never wanted for other organisations to erode his power or influence.

 

The evolution of the Islamic court continued in Southern Mogadishu and in some other districts of the city.

 

Fast forward to 2006, the Union of Islamic Courts challenges the existing political order in Mogadishu and shatters the warlord regimes within few months. The Islamist Revolution succeeded to transform the political landscape of Somalia from one that was solely based on clan to one based on semi-religion semi-clan. The political landscape of Somalia was revolutionized and within months the UIC gained control over a significant portion of Somalia, something no other political force has been able to achieve since the collapse of the central regime in 1991.

 

Now, the evolution of the citizen-based security organisation has been set into motion at a time the religious warlords have proven to be incapable to guarantee the inhabitants security and law.

 

Mogadishu has entered a new phase, and within a decade or two we will see its fruits.

[Meiji]

Will the Madani force become a Beeleed force like someone remarked?

 

NO!

 

MADANI and BEELEED are two different concepts. One is civil, relating to a citizen while the other is tribal, relating to a clan member.

 

Learn to differentiate basic concepts.

 

 

The civil security force is the right step and will take care of the security of those that truelly matter: the People.

 

The days of never-ending conflicts between religious warlords propagating in theory for the same thing (Islamic Law) but in practice fighing over political power are coming to an end.

 

But ofcourse, the religious warlords are too ignorant and too pre-occupied with themselves to understand what is happening right beneath them, like the secular warlords had no clue about the slow evolution of the Islamic court concept and their eventual take-over of Somalia.

 

 

A great move by Mogadishu society.

[Meiji]

Sherban Shabeel:

 

 

The reason why I'm not down with this idea is the following:

 

It's way too easy to manipulate militias. Young people with guns are easy to buy and/or brainwash. What will happen is some powerful warlord is going to draw them under his influence and use them to his liking. And then what? We're back to square one, and even worse.

 

And even in the unlikely scenario where these civil neighborhood militias refuse to come under warlord influence, do you really think these amateur citizen troops stand a chance against people who have been going to war for 20 years?

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Sherban Shabeel,

 

First your question of the chance that the Civil Security Force will be hijacked by political pretenders.

 

 

quote:

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It's way too easy to manipulate militias

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This danger is real and should be countered from the beginning to prevent the same failure of the Islamic court concept who eventually were hijacked by political pretenders who aspired political power.

 

How to prevent the use of the Civil Security Force by political pretenders for their own political agenda's?

 

The answer is obvious, the Civil Security Force should be the result of a social contract between the the civil security force and the citizens that have created that institution.

 

 

Lets take the lowest tier of city organisation: neighbourhood.

 

The members of the xaafad need to come together, discuss their affaires and come to an agreement that will be clearly written on paper which can become a concept legal basis for the neighbourhood Civil Security Force.

 

Basic characteristics of the Civil Security Force need to be identified and put on paper.

 

For example,

 

- How will the Civil Security Force be financed?

- How will its soldiers be recruited? A neighbourhood version of ''military service'' or on a voluntary basis?

- From who does the Civil Security Force takes orders? Security council on the neighbourhood level? Or a governing (political) council of the neighbourhood?

- What is the mandate of the Civil Security Force? The securing of the neighbourhood alone?

- What is the relationship of the Civil Security Force of one neighbourhood to another, or to other civil organisations in the city?

 

etc etc etc.

 

So, as you can see the process needs to be thought out and we need to learn from the past mistakes and incorporate past lessons.

 

So, let us work out the concept and see how it can benefit Somali society.

 

As for your second question:

 

 

quote:

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do you really think these amateur citizen troops stand a chance against people who have been going to war for 20 years

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With proper training, financing and dedication the Civil Security Forces will take over not only the security of Mogadishu city but dramatically transform security and political organisation in the whole of Somalia.

 

My confidence in uttering that:

 

Just look at the emergence and slow evolution of the Islamic courts and their eventual revolutionary eruption in 2006.

 

Anno 2009, the Islamic courts and their religious ideology not only transformed security and political organisation ( ''Maxkamad X taking over Town Y and establishing an Islamic administration) in Somalia but have become the main players on the national political scene.

 

For their evolution see my previous post above.

[Meiji]

Civil Security Force concept is not something new, but is an idea which has been evolving in Mogadishu for more than 5 years now.

 

In 2003, when there was yet another foreign-created regime (TNG Arta) and Mogadishu city was terrorized by insecurity and lawlessness the civil society in collaboration with district governors and the administration of Mogadishu created Civil Security forces for the different districts in the city and it became a succes. Insecurity was tackled and in some districts people were not even allowed to carry knives let alone weapons! Unfortunately, this was a short-lived experimentation.

 

 

quote:

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Hawlagalka la dagaallanka burcadda ma ahan dibadda magaalada oo keliya ee waxaa sidoo kale la abaabulay ciidamo madani ah oo kor u dhaafaya 1600 oo dhallinyaro ah kuwaasoo ka hawlgelaya gudaha magaalada Muqdisho, waxaana abaabulkan ka wada shaqeeyey masuuliyiinta degmooyinka gobolka Banaadir, maamulka gobolka, ururrada haweenka iyo ururrada bulshada rayidka ah, waxaana durbaba lagu guulaystay in aanan xaafadaha qaar lala dhex mari karin xitaa mindiyaha isba daaye bastoolado ama qoryo aanan la aqoonin.

 

Ibraahim Shaawey waxa uu sheegay in ay hiigsanayaan in ay Muqdisho ku soo celiyaan nidaamka iyo kala dambaynta isagoo sheegay in siyaasiyiinta Muqdishana ay amuurtan xiriir wanaagsan ka leeyihiin si ay Muqdisho u noqoto meel ammaan ah.

 

Maamulka gobolka Banaadir ayaa isaguna diyaariyey ilaa boqol nin oo si weyn u hubaysan oo loo bixiyey ciidanka gurmadka deg-degga ah, waxayna gacan siiyaan ciidamada madaniga ah ee degmooyinka Muqdisho, gaar ahaan meelaha lagu sheego in ay burcad si weyn u hubaysan joogaan, waxayna isku xirka hawshani keentay in hadda ay Muqdisho u muuqato mid uu ammaankeedu si weyn isu soo beddelayo.

 

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27.08.2003 BBC News Item

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk /somali/news/030827_ somalia.shtml

 

 

It's time to rejuvenate the Civil Security Force concept and this time see it through the end.

[Meiji]

Xiinfaniin:

 

Meiji, adeer you are a man who is on strike for no apparent reason. The objectives you espouse are noble and righteous, yet the means you are adopting to achieve them are ironically dangerous. You want Mogadishu to be great yet oppose the peace initiatives and Sharif’s policy of gradual development, superficially arguing the mere presence of AU troops is bigger problem. You want to lash out at the world for own failure, which serves as relief for our own emotions but does nothing to explain why Somalis for the last twenty years were unable to stand own feet, and refuse to be abused by external powers. Why are we always dwell in the gloomy details of our conflict and fail to see the bigger picture looming from every direction you look, namely why cant you realize ya Meiji that the world and its politics are ruthless in nature and few shed sympathetic tears for the wounds of the weak. Why do you fail to see that for Somalia to come back up again, its people must tolerate wobbly political structure to initially take place so we latter generations have the chance to improve it. If it’s a question of sovereignty, as it certainly is, how come you choose to fight a rebel’s fight when you are able to ally your self with other supportive nations as a state and take your seat in the world stage however symbolic and void of any tangible diplomatic value? Oh why and, why , and why? .

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Xiinfaniin,

 

Somalia is plagued by the consequences of state collapse.

 

Our 30 year of experimentation with a nation-state has come to an end in 1991.

 

The past 18 years were a period of transition and self-discovery.

 

1)What have we experienced?

2)What have we learned from the past?

3)What do we have now?

4)What do we want?

5)What strategy can we use to achieve the end towards which we are striving?

 

Basic questions that need to be answered for Somalia to stand upon its feet again.

 

What I oppose is the interference of foreign actors in this process of Somalis solving basic problems.

 

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For your understanding: this topic tries to answer the above 5 questions for Mogadishu city.

 

1) Mogadishu was the seat of the government during the 30 years of the Republic and as such became too depended on a government since it received the gross of attention and developmental aid.

 

Conclusion: Mogadishu should stand on its own two feet since Somalia has no genuine, functioning government after the collapse of the last one in 1991.

 

The city should search for solutions to problems without waiting on a mythical government that will solve all problems in Mogadishu and Somalia.

 

2) Political pretenders do not care for Mogadishu city and its inhabitants.

 

proof: The countless political pretenders (warlords and foreign-created regime's) that came and went.

 

Conclusion: Mogadishu inhabitants should take matters in their own hands.

 

 

3) Insecurity and fear of renewed conflict

 

A weak, foreign-created regime backed by foreign mercenaries vs religious warlords.

 

Conclusion: insecurity and fear of conflict will always exist as long as political pretenders are not isolated and neutralized.

 

4) Security and stability for the city and its inhabitants.

 

New ways and idea's are needed since the old ways and idea's have failed.

 

5) The most promising strategy to achieve point 4 is through the creation of Civil Security Force.

 

The creation of a Civil Security Force takes into consideration the first three points.

 

1)Mogadishu city will stand on its own two feet and can become independent and self-reliant without waiting in vain on a central government.

 

2) The Civil Security Force will slowly but steadly isolate and neutralize the political pretenders since the people will take matters into their own hands.

 

3)The current factions are on the brink of war and all are supported by (and work for) foreign actors. The creation of Civil Security Force will protect the civilians of Mogadishu in the event of any major conflict between the political pretenders.

[wacdaraha_aduunka]

Meiji bro i tried to PM about something but ure mailbox is full so refresh it a bit..

[Meiji]

Wacdaraha_aduunka,

 

I only had 5 posts in my mailbox. How many emails are allowed to be stored in your mailbox?

[Meiji]

Mogadishu society and Somalia in general have been betrayed by the Islamist factions.

 

The Islamist factions have become the new power-hungry factions and are no better then those before them in terms of keeping the city hostage and under constant fear and conflict.

 

 

Because of the failure of the Islamist factions and their destructive conflict over power amids heavily populated area's it is imperative for Mogadishu inhabitants to secure themselves and their neighbourhoods!

 

Create Civil Security Force and deny all religious warlord factions base in your neighbourhoods.

 

Push them off your neighbourhoods and deny them entry!

 

This is the right time to create own security forces that protect the people from the power-hungry warlord factions hiding under a religious cover.

[Meiji]

It is time for Mogadishu residents to arm themselves and secure their neighbourhoods!

 

The religious warlords are heavily shelling residential area's and many casualties have been recorded.

 

THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR THE CREATION OF CIIDAMO MADANI WHO CAN PROTECT THE CIVILIANS FROM THESE CIMAAMADO-WEARING WARLORDS!

[Hassan6734]

We the people must support the National Government of somalia and chase out these al-shabaab baby killers like we chased out the gangster warlords.

 

Al-shabaab are not muslims but kaafiirs. There blood is halal.

[Sherban Shabeel]

Nobody's blood is xalaal. We have to stop this madness.

[General Duke]

^^^You are right this madness must stop. But it can only stop when one admits its been going on since 1991.

 

First it was USC clan cleanisng. Then the invasion and occupation of unarmed clans.

 

Then the pretence of :Mujahids

then all sorts of madness...

[Meiji]

Dukey,

 

Still stuck in the past of 1991. Move on old man and dont become a broken record.

 

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Mogadishu people should not wait till they are displaced by fighting factions!

 

They should secure their own neighbourhoods and fight off every intruder into those neighbourhoods.

 

If the people fail to create ciidamo madani ah then they will be displaced every time powerhungry factions fight over power amids heavily populated area's.

[Meiji]

Qaxa Farabadan oo saakay ka taagan xaafado ka mid ah Magaalada Muqdisho oo xalay oo dhan ay ku dagaalameen dhinacyada iska soo horjeeda.

 

Shabelle: MUQDISHO

Barakac xoogan ayaa saakay laga dareemayaa qaar ka mid ah xaafadaha Magaalada Muqdisho iyadoo meelaha qaarna ay gabaabsi yihiin dhaq dhaqaaqii gaadiidka BL-ka.

 

 

 

Aroornimadii hore ee saakay ayaa waxaa uu barakac xoogan ka bilowday degmooyinka Yaaqshiid,Wardhiigle ey iyo qeybo ka mid ah wadada warshadaha halkaasi oo dagaalo xoogan maalintii 4-aad ay ku dhexmaryaan xoogaga muqaawamada.

 

 

 

Wadooyinka waaweyn ee ka soo baxa degmooyinkaasi ayaa waxaa saakay lagu arkayay dad farabadan oo barakac ah oo ka cararayay hoygooda kuwaasi oo isugu jira Caruur,dad da’ah iyo haween madaxyada ku sida alaabo kala duwan iyo sidoo kale gawaari sidda dad barkac ah oo ka cararaya dagaalada iyo madaafiicda ay is weydaarsanayaan labada dhinac.

 

 

 

Barkacayaani ayaa noqonaya kii ugu horeeyay ee ka dhashay magaalada Muqdisho tan iyo markii gudaha Magaalada Muqdisho iyo guud ahaan dalka Soomaaliya ay isaga baxeen ciidamadii Ethiopia ee mudada labada sano aheeyd ku sugnaa.

 

 

 

Qaar ka mid ah dadka barakacaya ayaa Shabelle u sheegay in ay la anfariirsanyihiin dagaalada dadka barakiciyay ee dhexmaraya xoogaga Hubayan ee shalay halka meel ka wada dagaalamayay.

 

 

 

Gaadiidkii isticmaalayay wadada warshadaha ayaa ah ku si teel teel ah halkaasi u isticmaalaya waxaana gawaaradaasi qaarkood gaar ahaan kuwa loo yaqaan hoomayda ay dhexmarayaan xaafadaha qarda jeexa ah ee ay mari jireen xiligii ay joogeen ciidamada Ethiopia.

 

 

 

Aqriso oo la soco Shabelle.net Saacad Walba si aad u hesho wararkii ugu dambeeyay ee Soomaaliya.