Mohamed Isse Muudey
Monday August 25, 2014
Somalia has a long history of being a place of division and confusion in terms of our regions and states. Somalia was divided up into regions, states, and land areas, and Hiiraan is no exception. At the very beginning, there was eight regions. However, before I continue, I have to clear out that This brief article does not aim to speculate the reasons behind why Hiiraan region was singled out of the rest but to explore what repercussions such omission is causing at this present time on Hiiraan region’s attempts to form a ‘federal ‘ state. Continuing, I'll give some information to set the stage, about these and regions and states. In 2012, the head committee of the eight hundred and twenty five Somali elders assembly, made a constituent constitution, and recommended that Hiiraan region should be given a special status due to its ‘special’ circumstances of being the sole survivor of the original 8 regions.
This recommendation was a way of complying with the Constitutional prerequisite on 2 or more regions to form a ‘federal state’ thus allowing the option of Hiiraan region, allowing to be independent without a partnering state. Here's why they recommend it; starting in 1960, Somalia was set in 8 regions. After the military regime took power, they further divided the other 7 regions into 17 ones. However, Hiiraan was the only region that had remained undivided even until today. The total 18 regions (including Hiiraan), which were built dishonorably and based on dishonesty. Continuing, lets look at how this eighteen regions came to be.
This is the example of such division:
1. Northern East: divided into three regions, Sanaag, Togdher and Sool.
2. Banaadir: divided into three regions, Banaadir, Shabelada Hoose and Shabelada Dhexe.
3. Upper Jubba: divided into three regions, Bay, Bakool and Gedo.
4. Lower Jubba: divided into two regions, Jubbada Hoose and Jubbada Dhexe.
5. Mudug: divided into two regions, Mudug and Galgaduud.
6. Bari: divided into two regions, Bari and Nugaal.
7. Northern West: divided into two regions, Waqooyi Galbeed and Awdal
8. Hiiraan: undivided.
If you examine closely how these regions came to be, what would come into your mind? As a somali native, and/or a patriot, what would you think? Socially, politically and ethically, Hiiraan's ability to remain undivided has led to issues that it's still facing today. For example, the entire whole of Banaadir was disunited onto three regions. One of these pieces of the region cannot join the entire whole of Hiiraan, because Hiiraan is equivalent to the seven regions we mentioned before. Either Mudug or Banaadir can join Hiiraan based on the 8 regions in 1960. If the current government wants to develop and certify the federal system, they must allow the people have their own choices and approvals. Getting what the people, the Hiiranians, what they want is important, whether that does mean standing alone or not. As we remember, former president Sh. Sharif created upon a decree for the government to divide Hiiraan into two; Hiiraan and Upper Shabelle. The current Parliamentarians must review the decree made by the Sh. Sharif. People from Hiiraan region strongly believe that there has been a clear and intentional discrimination back in '70's when only Hiiraan region was left intact and that fact is complicating the formation of Hiiraan Federal State. It's not fair-minded that what dictator Siyaad Barre chose to do was automatically completed; however when Sharif decided to legislate the decree, it was not done so. Whatever the two presidents request should be of equal value and done in a just way.
The regions that current had joined the federalist system that is presently in place are most likely going back to the eight old regions, except a few misplaced places. But, Hiiraan never got divided and this will allow a decent and legitimate argument, as long they were standing alone since independence of Somalia. Hiiraan's standing alone would also be beneficial towards the population there, and the economic sectors would as well.
With among the highest populations in 1960, after (Banadir and Upper Jubba). Economically, agriculture plays a large in role in the society as whole. That is because the river, the earth, crops, and the cattle supports the whole nation with it's fantastic crops and food items. Yes, I think that Hiiraan state should be formed on the will of Hiiraanians who are alive with a viable and healthy economy based on agriculture, a livestock and untapped natural resources ought to be listened to.
I believe that this argument is enough to say that Hiiraan should stand alone. In history, Siyaad Barre never divided Hiiraan for whatever his reasons were, and Sh. Sharif tried to create justice for the regions by dividing Hiiraan. President Hassan will attempt to either use Barre's strategy of leaving Hiiraan alone, or follow upon his decree of the division of Hiiraan. In addition, the president Hassan and his administration chooses Hiiraan to be added to another piece of a region, (that is not equivalent to Hiiraan as one of the 7 regions), will then explain the disappearance of Hiiraan off the map in Somalia, along with the disappearance of it's dignity. it should not be a problem to establish Hiiraan State by joining the 2 parts of the original region. The counter argument of this proposition entertains the legal argument that the whole formation of federal states should be based solely on the 1990 map of Somalia made of only 18 regions.
Whether or not Hiiraan region opts to stand alone, or join with another region or reassembly within the split part of itself the questions that require answers is whether Hiiraan region has suffered of past discrimination and whether it is entitled to a redress that would allow a special status when forming a ‘federal state’. This is the time for a long deserved redress. Another discrimination and forced imposition from the central government is not an option anymore!
In the beginning, there was eight regions, as we had referenced. However, today their is a system put in place called federalism. This system of governance was not their before, meaning it was never a natural arrangement for Somalia. In other words, its a template of a system of governance that was imposed on Somalia. Outside influences have played some sort of role in this, clearly because no one has benefited out of this, all it has caused is quarreling and disunity. So, what i think is Hiiraan desires it either to go back to the original eight regions, or be split. If Somalis comes along and says 'federalism is the solution', then that's what they should get. On the the other hand, I think Hiiraan is one place that has always welcomed every previous government administration. People there are positive, and support unity. Welcoming reconciliation among all Somalis is also part of their great optimism.
There is a petition that is currently in action that is concerning this whole issue of Hiiraan.
/Hiiraan_State_Petition.html
*Administrative Divisions of Countries ("Statoids")
http://www.statoids.com/uso.html
Mohamed Isse Muudey
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