Publicado en The Shared Societies Project Blog (Club de Madrid). En inglés
In Somalia, one of the weakest states in the world and ranked the most corrupt country, there are a few reasons for being optimistic with a democratic transition and an integrated society. “Africa’s greatest success in 2012 was in Somalia”, says Jon Temin in Foreign Policy. The main reason is the progress in the base of a democratic society: security. In november, the African Union peacekeeping mission made a great success in its fight against Al-Shabab extremists, expelling them from Kismayo, their last city stronghold.
At the same time, Somalia celebrated the first democratic elections for a national leader since the warlords ousted dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. The new prime minister, Abdi Farah Shirdon Saaid, has inspired a slight wave of optimism by succeeding a devaluated transitional government and electing an efficient and simplified cabinet of ten ministers.
Besides, the new government is pioneer in women integration in Somalia, considered the fifth worst country to be a female. Two of the new ministers are women, includind the foreign minister and deputy PM Fauzia Yusuf Haji Adan. She is the first somali woman that holds a senior position in her country. Also, former minister of women Maryan Qasim Ahmed has been named minister for development and social affairs.
“My nomination is a milestone for the women of Somalia”, said Haji Adan. The empowerment of women is an urgent matter in a country where the 95% of girls undergo genital mutilation, domestic violence is extended and access to education is quite limited. The same Qasim Ahmed described Somalia as “a living hell” for women. She and Haji Adan are a first step for a long way to walk.
But at least, Somalia has an opportunity to go now in the right way. The UN recently launched a $1.3bn appeal for the next three years. It will be spent in 369 humanitarian projects. Also, Mogadishu is showing its first signs of normality. “Hotels and restaurants are open for business, families are back on the beach and the first launderette for 20 years is welcoming dirty linen”,wrote Africa correspondent for The Guardian David Smith last october.
But the main evidence of peace will be the re-opening of the Mogadishu National Stadium, estimated at first for the past december and now postponed. Since civil war in 1991, it has been used as a base for armies and Al-Shabab militia. Now, football will be back to once the greatest facility in Africa and the arab world, with 35,000-capacity. And a sport that, according to the Somali Football Federation, can play a vital part in disarming child soldiers and “creating friendship among people” should be taken so seriously in the construction of a shared society.
Specially in a divided country with clans, sub-clans and old rivalries like Somalia, where the first step is to create common symbols of progress. Haji Adan and the Mogadishu Stadium are two.
More information:
Club de Madrid and the G40 in Somalia
G40 Statement to the “London Conference” about Somalia
Besides, the new government is pioneer in women integration in Somalia, considered the fifth worst country to be a female. Two of the new ministers are women, includind the foreign minister and deputy PM Fauzia Yusuf Haji Adan. She is the first somali woman that holds a senior position in her country. Also, former minister of women Maryan Qasim Ahmed has been named minister for development and social affairs.
“My nomination is a milestone for the women of Somalia”, said Haji Adan. The empowerment of women is an urgent matter in a country where the 95% of girls undergo genital mutilation, domestic violence is extended and access to education is quite limited. The same Qasim Ahmed described Somalia as “a living hell” for women. She and Haji Adan are a first step for a long way to walk.
But at least, Somalia has an opportunity to go now in the right way. The UN recently launched a $1.3bn appeal for the next three years. It will be spent in 369 humanitarian projects. Also, Mogadishu is showing its first signs of normality. “Hotels and restaurants are open for business, families are back on the beach and the first launderette for 20 years is welcoming dirty linen”,wrote Africa correspondent for The Guardian David Smith last october.
But the main evidence of peace will be the re-opening of the Mogadishu National Stadium, estimated at first for the past december and now postponed. Since civil war in 1991, it has been used as a base for armies and Al-Shabab militia. Now, football will be back to once the greatest facility in Africa and the arab world, with 35,000-capacity. And a sport that, according to the Somali Football Federation, can play a vital part in disarming child soldiers and “creating friendship among people” should be taken so seriously in the construction of a shared society.
Specially in a divided country with clans, sub-clans and old rivalries like Somalia, where the first step is to create common symbols of progress. Haji Adan and the Mogadishu Stadium are two.
More information:
Club de Madrid and the G40 in Somalia
G40 Statement to the “London Conference” about Somalia
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