Join the Future: New Banadir Administration

[Shirib]

As a capital city we should go with Marka.

Afgooye doesn't suite well because it is a farming district. As Afgooye stands now it is the largest and best farming district in Somalia. To make it a capital would likely mean the city become more urbanized and many of the farms be destroyed. I don't think Afgooye could support this kind of cosmopolitan.

Marka on the other hand would work well. It is a port city and already capital of Shabelle Hoose. It has infrastructure to carry the city and turn it into a cosmopolitan.

[Shirib]

Why is Ceel Dheere included in the new Banadir?

[Demure]

Abakar,

I don't think Mogadishu's history and status will ever dim, even if it's no longer the capital. But perhaps there are merits to a new capital. What if the capital of Somalia is moved out of Banadir? What if Mogadishu is simply the capital of Banadir? Perhaps there are advantages to replacing the capital of the nation with another city.

Possible advantages;

-Banadir will not have to cope with the bureaucracies associated with a nation’s capital.
-Cities of Banadir can focus on development and agriculture sans political burden.
-Allow population growth and diversity in another city/region.
-Give another city/region a chance to develop.

What do you think?

[Somaliman50]

Abakar,

I don't think Mogadishu's history and status will ever dim, even if it's no longer the capital. But perhaps there are merits to a new capital. What if the capital of Somalia is moved out of Banadir? What if Mogadishu is simply the capital of Banadir? Perhaps there are advantages to replacing the capital of the nation with another city.

Possible advantages;

-Banadir will not have to cope with the bureaucracies associated with a nation’s capital.
-Cities of Banadir can focus on development and agriculture sans political burden.
-Allow population growth and diversity in another city/region.
-Give another city/region a chance to develop.

What do you think?

Good question however I still think Mogadishu as the capital within the 'old Banaadir' is important because The pre-1974 Banadir functioned as one economic and social unit that was both natural and dynamic. The urban-rural exchange and the indian ocean trade would mean that the economy would flourish. There would also be a competitive environment in which the major port-cities of Mogadishu, Merca and Barawe compet for economic, political and cultural dominance. This is something which could be encouraged, not ignored.

[Warsan_Star_Muslimah]

KOA; lol, I know but how would New Banadir administration operate there? It won't, we'll just take Ceel Dhere and make it part of New Banadir. I believe Ceel Dhere is more in tune with Middle Shabelle than Galgaduud, and therefore should be part of New Banadir administration.

Shirib; V.good points, I was thinking about that too, and because of that we also can't make it Jowhar. We'll go with Marka.

Ceel dhere ala Middle Shabelle nooh.

Demure; Yes that can be done, I totally believe we can sustain ourselves without having to be a capital. Laakin a capital city gets the best of the best, and those near the capital will also get their fair share of 'the best'. So all in all Mogadishu should be the capital. No other city has its kind of Weather, connection, history and beauty.


Salaam

[Somaliman50]

WSM, my dear Ceeldheer is a part of Galgaduud, do you only want to incorporate it into 'New Banaadir' because it is traditionally a Mudulood residence?

[Shirib]

WSM, my dear Ceeldheer is a part of Galgaduud, do you only want to incorporate it into 'New Banaadir' because it is traditionally a Mudulood residence?

Cha Ching

[Warsan_Star_Muslimah]

abakar; The city is too inter-linked with the New Banadir region, and suits to be part of this new administration.

Shirib; Maxa uu diiday? lol


Salaam

[Shirib]

Warsan,

Ceeldheer is part of Galgaduud nooh. It should stay a part of Galgaduud too

[Warsan_Star_Muslimah]

loool I can see you don't want it to be part of the new administration.


Salaam

[Demure]

abakar; The city is too inter-linked with the New Banadir region, and suits to be part of this new administration.

lool

Abakar and Warsan,

Couldn't the economy of Banadir still flourish though, even without the seat of the capital?
We should shy away from the tradition that for a city to be successful; it has to be near the capital or the capital, on the contrary, we should promote independence and self reliance not only on a regional level but also on a city level.

In any case, I'm all for a regional Banadir Administration that honors the pre-Said Barre boundaries. An Administration built on the common goals of its cities, and that fosters a culture of hard work in all of its citizens.

I’m however, undecided on the role of Mogadishu. If Mogadishu “as the capital of Somalia” is allowed to govern itself, who then should govern it? Ppl of Banadir or anybody who is Somali can?

[Somaliweyn]

Good points dear Somnetters,

However, a few things:

- Mogadishu city is the capital city of Somalia, it has characterized the Republic like the blue and white flag had, so we cannot change it for the time-being. However, when Somalia gets out of the current mess, and we have a functioning genuine government and Somali masses chose another city for the capital status in free elections, then we can change it.

- Ceeldheer is the farthest northern boundary of Banadir region. Kismanyo is the farthest southern boundary of Banadir region, but since that city and Jubba region has been transformed demographically and culturally it can no longer be part of Banadir region. Incorporating Ceeldheer has nothing to do with clan affiliations because as all of you know Ciise Mudulood (Udejeen) is in Hiiraan, and their towns/districts are not incorporated. Only districts and groups that have a common past and culture with those in Banadir can be incorporated.

- Merca is a good regional capital, and should be studied.

Demure,

Mogadishu city should be governed by its inhabitants: the current people who live it. We have set the future of Mogadishu apart from that of Banadir. Mogadishu should have 5 boroughs like NYC and these boroughs should be autonomous governing entities in which all 5 borougs can elect 15 representatives to a city council composed of in total 75 representatives who then elect a city cabinet/government.

This Mogadishu democratic city government is another subject, and should be discussed later on.

Let us now focus on Banadir region itself.

Few questions:

- What makes the different districts and groups in New Banadir alike? What binds them? What do they have in common in order to live within one administration?
- Are there possible threats which Banadir groups should be aware of and if so, how should they counter it?
- What should Banadir regional administrations position be vis-a-vis a central government? In example, will Banadir regional administration follow the patterns of the Somaliland, Puntland, Galmudug models?

I want you to air your views, be critical and creative. This is about your future, and that of New Banadir.

[Somaliman50]

Somaliweyn,

Surpisingly, i think Banaadir inhabitants aren't as binded as we make it out to be. For example, In the four Banaadir ports one can find groups of mixed origin (Persian, Indian, Arab etc), i.e the Banadiri people. Along such groups lived various Somali clans like Mudulood clans (Wacdaan, Hilibi and various Abgal subclans), other Hawiye subclans like Murusade, Gaaljecel, Baadicadde, Gorgaarte sub clans (Wadalaan and Silcis) etc, Dir clan of Biyamaal, Digil clans like Geledi, Tunni etc. Banaadir province is thus a very diverse one in terms of the different groups that inhabit it, but also in terms of the different economic activities people engage in, like agriculture, pastoral economy, fishery, and trade in cities and service-based activities.

However, despite that, it is a legitimate cause when the various local groups of Banaadir region fight for their rights to their lands and economic resources. Just like other Somali groups have the right to create local governing structures for their respective regions and economically exploit the resources within their regions, so too have the local groups of Banaadir. In exercising these god-given rights, the local groups of Banaadir have to overcome numerous obstacles. The most pressing of these are how to cope with the anarchy and lawlessness that have engulfed Somalia and particularly Banadir region. As a consequence of this anarchy predatory groups have taken the opportunity to militarily subjugate the local groups of Banaadir region, and establish political, economical and militarily dominance over most of the 12 districts of the Banadir region. The only way to overcome these problems and once again restore Banaadir region to its local groups is to lay the foundation for the establishment of a Banaadir regional administration. Similarly like i said earlier, this Banaadir regional administration should be composed of the 12 districts, in which every district sends a number of representatives that together can form a regional parliament. This regional parliament then forms a regional government.

[Demure]

In the South, there is really not much of a common ground across the board. As Abakar mentioned there is more diversity to be found than similarities, therefore, it cannot draw on the same models as Somaliland and Puntland, where the main cohesion is clan loyalty. However, our diversity can be advantageous in the long run, in terms of what the different groups can contribute to the different industries. To construct a successful Banadir administration, the ppl of Banadir have to interdependently work together towards common perceived goals, they can connect through aspirations to enhance their overall security, economic, political and social cooperation.

Today there are too many threats against the creation of any meaningful administration in Banadir, aside from the potential internal differences, there are other major threats;

1) Al Shabaab et al (this lumps all wadaado in my book) – They are against knowledge and educated professionals.

2) A puppet government – They will be a real obstacle if our ambition interferes with Western objectives in Somalia.

3) Ethiopians - Their sole objective is to derail any success Somalia can ever achieve.

4) Other Somali groups – Those who are easily bribed and do the bidding of foreigners to harm other Somalis.

All are equally dangerous and are serious threats to the construction of Banadir. Really, I don’t even know where one can begin or how anyone can effectively tackle these threats.

I honestly don’t foresee any future for the current TFG. Banadir should look out for itself at least initially. I suppose if against all odds this government manages to control all of Somalia, then Banadir’s position should be to respect the federal government...as long as said government is not hoping to consolidate all the power onto itself.

[oldenglish]

Without the approval of Warsangeli this admin wont go anywhere.