If we are to succeed we must return to our ingenious traditional roots, whilst concurrently adopting modern technology.
1. Promoting and developing the Somali language and clothing. Teach in Af Somali. Public signs are in Af Somali. Media must be in Af Somali. Develop a modern technical Somali vocabulary using now obsolete Somali words.
2. Promoting, codifying modernising Somali culture such as music, poetry, theatre and story telling. This can be an entire industry. It a method of disseminating our shared cultural experiences and norms. E.g. hiddo iyo dhaqan, caado,
3. Returning to Somali Xeer law, which is an ingeneous system that has stood the test of time, and is complementary to Islamic law. Xeer law guarantees in priciple, as a foundation, every person's right to life, liberty and property (one's body, one's freedom and one's material assets). It has accepted common principles and doctrines, rules of conduct, organisational structures, procedural rules, rules of insurance, verdicts of law, rules of restitution and compensation. It stipulates rules governing constitution and abolition of courts, power of courts, power of police, procedures for hearings, rules of appeal, rendering justice and compensation.
We are a lawless society only IF we abandon our highly developed and comples Xeer laws, which are in every way of comparable complexity to common law, because we do not have statutory law or effectively functioning parliaments!!!
4. Use the doctrines of Xeer law as a basis for governance and economic interactions. As follows. Xor u dhalasho. Xor u maal. Xeer u dhalasho. Innocent until proven guilty. Equality before the law. Right to a fair hearing. Right to restitution or compensation. Xeer law is seperate from politics and religion. Xeer law has in built methods for its development. There are a plurality of jurisdictions and a uniformity of Xeer guud (general law). Goverment personnel must abide by Xeer law. Xeer law governs contracts as methods for economic interactions. Xeer law prohibts homicide, assault, torture, battery, rape, accidental wounding, kidnapping, abduction, roberry, burglary, theft, arson, extortion, fraud, tort, damage to property, defanation and breach of contract. Xeer law is supported by the Somali common insurance system which acts as a government compensation scheme and ensures that all victims are paid any compensation that is due.
5. Return to 'Xor u maal' as a policy for economic development. This means removing current monopolies, oligopolies and cartels to enable free trade. The government must always act in 'danta guud' aka the greatest good for the greatest number. We must a coherent comprehensive long term plan for sustainable social and economic development, based on self-suffiency, sustainability and long term security.
We can then stand proud in the world once more.
Nabad gelyo. Be in peace.
Futurist
