Published By: Dr. Abdi Ulusso Executive Director Somali Council for Refugees (416) - 249 4553

Mogadishu is not a Jerusalem, where one has to examine the three aspects of the problem that, are irreconcilable to find a solution; and these are religion, history and politics.

The city of Mogadishu is situated in the tribal land of Mudulood and it belongs to them and the people of Banadir (REER XAMAR) who are also traditional inhabitants of the city and there shouldn't be an issue the status of the city as the national Capital.

Mudulood demands that, all other clans to recognize and respect the traditional inhabitants to run the basic units of their local government affairs such as electing their own officials, access to land, water and enforcement of all government policy including land registration.

This means giving recognition to customary rules and procedures of indigenous institutions, which demand autonomous powers over the city. However, it doesn't mean other Somalis are not welcome but on the contrary they are allowed to live, buy a property, own a business, work and invest as they see fit.

The city can accommodate the entire Somali population and all can live in peace and harmony to claim as their Capital. We all understand that, Mogadishu has a special status recognized by the United Nations and the International community as the Capital of Somalia.

It is highly urbanized and continues to grow rapidly, even now after decade of no central authority. However, it is not different in terms of city administration than Hargeysa, Jowhar, Bossasso, Galcaio or Baydhaba, which all belong to a Somali clan.

We all remember when Mr. Ali Mahdi and Hussein Aideed tried to set up a Joint Administration of Benadir to govern Mogadishu and surrounding areas but did not materialize.

Their authority became limited and their struggle to gain control of the city has failed. This is because, it has angered a lot of Mudulood, which felt that, Mr. Ali Mahdi has betrayed them by agreeing to a joint administration of their city, and accepting an interference of another clan in their internal affairs.

And it prompted calls for change of Mudulood leadership to pave the way for new faces that will earn all-important support and adopt real priorities that will visualize what profound changes are needed if current Mudulood disintegration is to be halted.

I understand the concerns of some clans about the security issues surrounding the city of Mogadishu that, they have risen as a problem. It is true that, political violence and banditry remain a problem; gunfights between rival factions are common occurrence, but it is up to all Somalis, not only Mudulood, if other clans truly want to claim Mogadishu as their national capital to restore peace and security collectively in order to bring law and order back.

However, we all know to well that, these clans while pleading publicly for peace and reconciliation are eager to capitalize on the failure of the Djibouti peace. It is naïve to suggest that, "when claiming a sub clan" the city of Mogadishu to belong is incompatible as being a national capital.

Mudulood didn't ask Mogadishu to be the national Capital of Somalia but the city got on its own merit because it had and still does what it takes to be a national Capital. In addition, Mudulood would not object if all Somali clans agree to move it to another city.

It is hard pressed to understand, if some clans wish to resurrect the mob rule of the successive governments and their clan associates who squandered the countries resources by amassing public wealth to enrich relatives.

The current driving force questioning the legitimacy of Mogadishu to be the national Capital are these groups who are greedy and want to get rich through thievery while the original inhabitants of the city were getting poorer and nothing will satisfy them except their way or no way.

This means the Capital has to be moved if they are not getting their life style back of living in posh villas built on speculated land and stolen money; or government built subsidized housing, or living the houses left behind by the Italians without paying rent as their own.

It is obvious that, the traditional inhabitants of the city are not happy and "certain clans" have voiced concerns, which are tactical issue to undermine the prospects for peace and make Mogadishu as a national issue.

Capital cities can be renamed, changed or moved and therefore, Mogadishu shouldn't be an issue that derails and jeopardizes the whole Djibouti peace initiative.

The current proposal of moving the capital city to Hargeysa or Baydhaba is acceptable but I would add the list also Merka, Baraawa, Kismaayo and Berbera, which are worth considering.

Among many requisites for a national capital it should be located an area away from the borders where enemy planes cannot reach the capital city to terrorize civilians and cause havoc and damage.

Nonetheless, I want to remind other clans that, the great Somali patriot and poet Sayid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan once said " DAD LALA DEGO IYO DARISNIMO ABGAAL BAA LEH", it was true one hundred years ago and it is true now.

Historically, the city and its traditional inhabitants have suffered many injustices and endured a lot of abuse. And the city was ill equipped in terms of planning and financial resources to cope with growth.

The capital received no financial assistance from the central government, and its income base was eroded by a pricing policy which charged only 3 so. Sh. per square meter of land while private market land prices ranged from so. Sh. 33.125 in new areas without services, to So. Sh. 250-400 in developing villages, to So. Sh. 600-1000 in the city center.

As a result, widespread land speculation and disputes of ownership and inefficient revenue to improve Municipal services. It was after 22 years in 1982 that, the Mogadishu City Planning was established and it lacked a master plan and made ad hoc attempts to deal urban growth without any operative maps, plans, or demographic data.

This has resulted, urban sprawl with inefficient land use, no provision of infrastructure or services to new neighborhoods.

We are all aware, the state organized terror and injustices done to the city and its traditional inhabitants and where basic tenets of humanitarian law violated, while all other clans turned their back on them. Monopoly on power to impose clan hegemony was the norm and land in the city remained a source of power with which to reward or punish, as is appropriate.

The impact was devastating to Mudulood and Reer Xamar, which was marginalized and has lost politically, socially and economically.

Similarly, during Siad Barre and following his fall an ugly and senseless war was leashed on the city and its inhabitants that have claimed many lives of innocent civilians, seriously maimed many others, and great majority of victims being Mudulood.

The Mudulood people continue to be under constant threat for their lives, property; and are filled with anger and anxiety but predictably, recognize their exceptional circumstance as a voice of reason and maintain a positive outlook for Somali unity and peace.

Mudulood are more likely lifelong idealists who remain true to the Somali cause but others clans are into being "victims" and wish to gain some concessions at the peace table. The only issue for Mogadishu is the demarcation of its physical jurisdiction, which now is spreading into the surrounding areas.

It must be limited to its original size of 528 square kilometers. Furthermore, Mogadishu must be restructured for administrative purposes to manage it easily and reduce waste and duplication.

It should be self-governing city with Municipal Corporation and administrative units of five Boroughs that will send two Representatives each to the National Parliament. In addition it will have an elected Governor and an elected Mayor.

The following are the basic units of the local government proposed: ·
KARAAN BOROUGH (Karaan, Cabdicasiis, Huriwa) ·
XAMAR BOROUGH (Xamar-weyne, Xamar jajab, Shangaani) ·
MEDINA BOROUGH (Wadajir, Waaberi, Dharkeynley) ·
WARDHIGLEY BOROUGH (Wardhigley, Hawl-wadaag, Hodan) · BOONDHEERE BOROUGH( Boondheere, Yaakhshiid, Shibis)