Published in Opinion
By Abdi Adan Tawane,
Despite criticism, fortunately the Federal system had found a way in Somalia, creating hope for the formation of would-be federal member states in which law and order can be restored at the grass root level.
Introduction
Federalism often encapsulated in ‘the federal idea’ – refers to the recognition of difference and diversity in its many forms as the driving force of federation – the federal state – which is the tangible institutional expression of this idea. Put simply, then, difference and diversity produce federalism and federalism produces federation. But just as there are several different kinds of state, so there are many varieties of federalism and federation. Indeed, it is perfectly possible to have federalism without formal federation for the simple reason that some federalism do not necessarily achieve fully-fledged federation but instead produce highly decentralized states that allow considerable local autonomy. Federalism in Africa does not have a positive image. Its record of success is patchy while its failures seem manifest.
Currently there are only three established federal political systems among the 54 states in Africa: Nigeria, Ethiopia and South Africa (Samatar, 1993). However, the evident paucity of successful contemporary federal systems must not be allowed to convey the impression that federalism in Africa is redundant. On the contrary, it continues to resonate as part of a continuing political discourse about the nature of political authority in many formally non-federal states, such as Somalia, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Ever since the world fed up on the prolonging civil war and anarchy in Somalia, International community along with Somali leaders came up with a system "Federalism”, a scheme that can put up Somalia despite the hatred and division inherited from the civil war (Abdirizak, 2012). After widespread consultations with Somali politicians and experts, joint efforts was made to erect transitional federal government mandated to pave a way for friendly environment in which regional administrations can come up, who will later form Central Federal Government that can bring back political, economic and social stability in Somalia.
Despite criticism, fortunately the Federal system had found a way in Somalia, creating hope for the formation of would-be federal member states in which law and order can be restored at the grass root level. Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government led by Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed have willingly taken a milestone steps towards implementing the agreed system {Federal System} which was believed could lead Somalia into a governance in the face of over two decade civil war (Abdirizak, 2012).
A Federal System that cuts across clan lines
The South-West and Jubaland States cut across clan lines and are populated by more than one unrelated clans. Galmudug State which unites the old regions of Mudug and Galgudud, and bring together different Somali clans that has more in common than their related clans in remote areas such as Bosasso and Banadir.
Puntland remains the only fully established Federal Member State followed with a far margin by Jubbaland, SouthWest, Galmudug and the recently established Hirshabelle state of Somalia being Interim Administrations. Puntland plays a leading role in Somali politics but of late is leading a bad example by trying to exercise some sort of sovereign maneuvers that will directly liquidate the integrity of the entire endeavors of the Somali federation. It can also end the on-going conflict in these regions over resources and imaginary borders inherited from colonial periods.
As long as Somaliland clings to defunct and imaginary colonial borders and tries to force other clans to join its impractical separatist agenda by force, and as long as Puntland claims the Khatumo State regions by virtue of kinship, it will be difficult for Somalia to achieve stability and unity (Spears, 2003). Somaliland faces a new challenge in the recent Awdal uprising which has been in the making for a long time because of inequitable resource sharing and differences over Somali Unity (Abdirizak, 2012) The Article is too long Read More
By Abdi Adan Tawane,
Despite criticism, fortunately the Federal system had found a way in Somalia, creating hope for the formation of would-be federal member states in which law and order can be restored at the grass root level.
Introduction
Federalism often encapsulated in ‘the federal idea’ – refers to the recognition of difference and diversity in its many forms as the driving force of federation – the federal state – which is the tangible institutional expression of this idea. Put simply, then, difference and diversity produce federalism and federalism produces federation. But just as there are several different kinds of state, so there are many varieties of federalism and federation. Indeed, it is perfectly possible to have federalism without formal federation for the simple reason that some federalism do not necessarily achieve fully-fledged federation but instead produce highly decentralized states that allow considerable local autonomy. Federalism in Africa does not have a positive image. Its record of success is patchy while its failures seem manifest.
Currently there are only three established federal political systems among the 54 states in Africa: Nigeria, Ethiopia and South Africa (Samatar, 1993). However, the evident paucity of successful contemporary federal systems must not be allowed to convey the impression that federalism in Africa is redundant. On the contrary, it continues to resonate as part of a continuing political discourse about the nature of political authority in many formally non-federal states, such as Somalia, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Ever since the world fed up on the prolonging civil war and anarchy in Somalia, International community along with Somali leaders came up with a system "Federalism”, a scheme that can put up Somalia despite the hatred and division inherited from the civil war (Abdirizak, 2012). After widespread consultations with Somali politicians and experts, joint efforts was made to erect transitional federal government mandated to pave a way for friendly environment in which regional administrations can come up, who will later form Central Federal Government that can bring back political, economic and social stability in Somalia.
Despite criticism, fortunately the Federal system had found a way in Somalia, creating hope for the formation of would-be federal member states in which law and order can be restored at the grass root level. Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government led by Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed have willingly taken a milestone steps towards implementing the agreed system {Federal System} which was believed could lead Somalia into a governance in the face of over two decade civil war (Abdirizak, 2012).
A Federal System that cuts across clan lines
The South-West and Jubaland States cut across clan lines and are populated by more than one unrelated clans. Galmudug State which unites the old regions of Mudug and Galgudud, and bring together different Somali clans that has more in common than their related clans in remote areas such as Bosasso and Banadir.
Puntland remains the only fully established Federal Member State followed with a far margin by Jubbaland, SouthWest, Galmudug and the recently established Hirshabelle state of Somalia being Interim Administrations. Puntland plays a leading role in Somali politics but of late is leading a bad example by trying to exercise some sort of sovereign maneuvers that will directly liquidate the integrity of the entire endeavors of the Somali federation. It can also end the on-going conflict in these regions over resources and imaginary borders inherited from colonial periods.
As long as Somaliland clings to defunct and imaginary colonial borders and tries to force other clans to join its impractical separatist agenda by force, and as long as Puntland claims the Khatumo State regions by virtue of kinship, it will be difficult for Somalia to achieve stability and unity (Spears, 2003). Somaliland faces a new challenge in the recent Awdal uprising which has been in the making for a long time because of inequitable resource sharing and differences over Somali Unity (Abdirizak, 2012) The Article is too long Read More
