2024: Somali Public Agenda’s Year in Review
Our director @MahadWasuge reflects on an impactful year:
📄 16 papers published
🗣️ 19 forums held
🎙️ 24 podcast episodes released
✍️ 42 bloggers & 23 early-career researchers trained
Read the full reflection ⬇️
https://t.co/lFfsPiQ3SW
Turn your ideas into captivating stories, and make your voice heard! Apply Now for Our Blog Writing Training.
#BlogWriting#CreativeWriting#ApplyNow 👇
https://t.co/mYD9esKbMq
We are honored to have Dr. Abdinur Sheikh Mohamud, former Minister of Education and author of the new book "Macallinkeen Allow Kaal," as a keynote speaker at the 15th Somali Studies International Association Congress. Dr. Abdinur will present on the topic: The Transformation of Somalia's Education. #SSIA2024
We are delighted to welcome Professor Abdirahman Abdullahi Baadiyow to the 15th Somali Studies International Association Congress. He will present a paper titled: "A Role Model in Leadership: The Political Culture of President Aden Abdulle Osman.
#SSIA2024
We are honored to have Professor Said Salah as a keynote speaker at the 15th Somali Studies International Association Congress, taking place from December 15-18 at the Jazeera Hotel in #Mogadishu. He will present on the topic: "The Evolution of the Somali Language."
#SSIA2024
For the first time in 35 years, the 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗔) 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 will be held in Mogadishu, hosted by 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆. The 15th SSIA Congress, scheduled for December 𝟭𝟱-𝟭𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰, will gather over 300 participants, including researchers, scholars, policymakers, civil society members, women’s organizations, private sector representatives, and students.
Under the theme “Reconstructing and Developing the Somali Nation,” the congress will address Somalia’s contemporary realities, explore challenges and opportunities, and provide a vision for national reconstruction and sustainable development.
Key activities will include the presentation of research papers, keynote speeches, and panel discussions on the main theme and related sub-themes, aiming to generate actionable insights, innovative ideas, and strategic solutions for Somalia’s progress toward stability, resilience, and growth.
By fostering collaboration among scholars, policymakers, and diverse stakeholders, the congress will serve as a platform for knowledge exchange, perspective sharing, and consensus building on efforts to advance Somalia’s national reconstruction and development.
This landmark event highlights a commitment to advancing research, dialogue, and collective action for a stronger and more united Somali nation.
#SSIA2024
One of the greatest Somali historians, a writer, a translator and a radio/TV presenter, Mohamed Abdillahi Riiraash (1945–2024) has passed. He was a man of letters.
#Somalia’s President and the Speakers of the two chambers have adopted a hodgepodge of self-serving legislation and policies designed to gerrymander the outcome of the political process in their favor.
These divisive policies threaten the fragile political settlement and restrict the country’s political space.
This highlights the urgent need for a credible and responsible opposition that challenges this power grab and advocates for inclusivity, accountability, and transparency in a peaceful manner.
The Orwellian doublespeak of misusing the principle of “one person, one vote” to undermine inclusive politics and advance sectarian agendas must be confronted.
Simply put, the government’s determination to write the rulebook, select the referees, and play the game themselves is a dangerous path. Please stop.
As they say, the ‘international community and the Indian Ocean’ kept Somali politicians together and in the country. So, will the international community be a passive observer as the political settlement falls apart? I hope not.
Soomaali
Madaxweynaha iyo guddoonka baarlamaanku waxay maalin cad la dhumeen dalka iyo dadka. Waxayna la meel halis ah. Waxay qaateen mashaariic siyaasadeed oo kooxeysan oo dadka aad u sii qeybinaya. Allow sahal.
Waxaa ka dhalanaya madhruucan burburka heshiis-siyaasadeedka daciifka ah iyo inuu xirmo fagaaraha siyaasadda ee awalba in yar u furnaa.
Tani waxay muujineysaa sida loogu baahan yahay mucaarad masuul ah oo uga hortegi kara awood-marooqsiga dowladda, una qareema nidaam dadku wada leeyahay.
Ma habboona in dadka lagu jah-wareeriyo ereyo maran iyo “doorasho qof iyo cod ah” iyo been iyadoo laga shaqeynayo wax kale iyo xeerar lagu boobayo awoodda siyaasadda. Go’aanka dowladda ee leh “xeerka aniga qoraya, garsooraha anaa xulanaya, cayaartana anaa cayaaraya” dalka uma fiicna ee ha laga joogo.
Waxaan maqli jiray ‘waxaa siyaasiyiinta Soomaalida isku-haya beesha caalamka iyo badweynta Hindiya.’ Haddii kale, mar hore ayaa qaarkood Hindiya ayagoo sii socda la arki lahaa. Haddaba, waxaa iga su’aal ah, bulshada caalamka oo waayadan ilka-beeshay ma ka sii aamusnaan doonaan xaalkan? Ma filayo.
#Hargeysa waxaa ku geeriyooday, weriyihii caanka ahaa ee Cabdirisaaq Xaaji M. Siraad, oo BBC-da laanta afka soomaaliga ka shaqeynayay muddo ku siman 50, sano; isaga oo ahaa Barnaamij soo saare iyo war akhriye waqtigiisii ugu badanaa.
Magaalada #Sheekh ayaa lagu aasi doonaa.
Waxa ay ahayd 5-isbuuc aynu wax badan ka kororsannay habka ugu quman ee loo sameeyo cilmibaarista iyo xirfadaha muhiimka u ah. Aad y u mahadsanyihiin bahada SPA, uu ugu horreya AG. @MahadWasuge, sida ay xil isaga saareen wax ku darsiga garaadka Dhallinyarada Soomaaliyeed. 👏💯
On 21 November 2024, our @SPACLD concluded a 5-week research training for 23 trainees.
The course was designed to train and produce qualified young researchers who could contribute to researching Somalia’s diverse issues and informing policymaking at different levels.
Walaal/Walaasheey intii aad dhisi lahayd nolol aad nooleyn, waxaa ka habboon in aad ku dadaasho shakhsiyaddada runta ah kuna dhisto anshax wanaag, iyo is-oggolaasho nafeed. — #SelfAcceptance, waa muhiim, si ay wax badan kuugu qabsoomaan.
Shaqooyinka baarlamaanka waxaa ka mid ah inuu korjoogteeyo hey’adda fulinta oo Ilaaliyo. Labada Aqal laftooduna waxaa loo sameeyey inay is-ilaaliyaan oo is-dheelli-tiraan. Mid haddii uu qaldamo ayuu ka kale saxaa.
Nasiib darro, si buuxda ayuu baarlamaanku ugu gacan galay hey’addii la rabay inuu waardiyeeyo.
Labadii Aqal ee la rabay inay kala soocnaadaan oo is-ilaaliyaan oo is dheelli-tiraan waa isku milmeen. Hadda xeerarka ayeyba isla-sameynayaan. Sida muuqata Aqalkii sare xaalkiisu waa Allow sahal.
War-hooy Dowladi kama soo harto ku dhaqanka nidaam iyo xeerar nolosha lagu hormarinayo, awooddana la kala soocayo oo la isku ilaalinayo.
Ma fiicna in lagu falaado ee guddoonku ha ka joogo. Guddoomiyeyaasha labada aqal ha ogaadeen inaysan taariiokhdu cafin doonin.
Axmed Sheekh Jaamac baa si wanaagsan u cabbiray oo yiri: “Bar bar keliya xoog jira, cadligu waa ku bururaaye.
Badbaadada waxaa dhala quwado, baaha oo simane.”
English
One of the primary functions of the parliament is to check and account the executive branch of government. Additionally, the two chambers of the parliament are meant to check against each other to ensure accountability.
Unfortunately, in Somalia, the parliament has become an instrument of the executive branch. The two chambers have also merged in a way that makes the Senate non-existent.
In matters of state governance, the integrity of the process matters. The leadership of the parliament must take urgent steps to correct this course and rescue these important institutions. History will not be kind to the speakers if they they do not act now.
In a show of collective strength against impunity, Somali journalists, government and international partners have come together to push for an end to impunity through justice, accountability and media freedom. #EndImpunity#PressFreedom#ProtectJournalists#Somalia
If President @HassanSMohamud wants to hold an election in 2026 at the national level, he should improve and implement the existing legislation based on the FIRST PAST THE POST model. The two chambers of parliament passed this legislation, and the former president signed it. This will not be easy, and I know there are implementation challenges.
Here it is: https://t.co/5mQjbGGDGE
In 2019, parliament rejected President @M_Farmaajo's proposal (closed-list proportional representation based on a single national district) that had been put forward by the government. President @M_Farmaajo accepted the parliament's draft legislation and signed it.
President @HassanSMohamoud is doing the same thing in the same manner. He is proposing closed-list proportional representation based on a single national district. More problematic is his efforts to design a self-serving electoral model for the presidential election, which will threaten the fragile political settlement and close the already narrow political space. This is dangerous.
As was done during the Farmajo administration, parliament should reject the government’s proposal. Instead, the parliament can instruct Villa Somalia to improve and implement the law that was drafted by the parliamentary committee, approved by the two chambers, and signed by the president.
In my view, the more suitable electoral law for #Somalia is “Closed-List Proportional Representation based on MULTI_DISTRICTS. See pages 109-110 of my study. This can combine fairness and accountability values.
NO, NO, NO to the government's power-grab and self-serving laws.
Here is a study I have written on this issue: https://t.co/2W74pvDhUL
You can watch President Farmajo signing the law here:
https://t.co/IapUwoo54v
Soomaali
Haddi uu Madaxweyne @HassanSMohamud doonayo inuu ka shaqeeyo doorasho dhacda sanadka 2026, waxaan ku talainayaa inuu hagaajiyo oo hirgeliyo xeerka doorashooyinka ee ku salaysan (Horreeyaa Guuleysta) ee uu dalku leeyahay. Labada aqal waa meel-mariyeeen, Madaxweyne @M_Farmaajo waa saxiixay.
Waa kan: https://t.co/5mQjbGGDGE
https://t.co/IapUwoo54v
Xeerka uu Madaxweyne @HassanSMohamud wato wuxuu la mid yihiin xeerkii uu Baarlamaanku ka diiday Madaxweyne @M_Farmaajo oo ku salaysnaa liiska xiran ee metalaadda isku-dheelli-tiran iyo hal-degmo-siyaasadeed oo dalka oo dhan ah.
Waxaan qabaa in xubnaha baarlamaanku diidaan oo uga horyimaadaan Xeerka @HassanSMohamud sidii ay kii hore ee noocan ahaa ay uga horyimaadeen. Waxa lagu cilladeeyey markaas in xeerka la sameeyey waqti uu gabaabsi ahaa waqtigii xil-heynta dowladdii hore. Waqtiga harsan, walow uu yar yahay, haddana haddii la dadaalo wax weyn baa laga hirgelin karaa. Waxaa kale jira cillado kale oo uu xeerkani leeyahay.
Aragtideyda ku aaddan nidaamka doorashooyinku waa “Liiska Xiran ee Metelaadda Isku-Dheelli-Tiran oo ku Salaysan Degmooyinka Badan.” Nidaamkani waa mid ay Soomaalidu waaya-aragnimo u leedahay. Wuxuuna isu-soo dhawaynayaa muwaadiniinta iyo dadka metalaya – calaashaan isla-xisaabtan ayuu wataa nidaamkani. Laakiin, kan Madaxweyne Farmaajo iyo Madaxweyne Xassan ay wateen lama xisaabin karo xildhibaanka. Se fahamkiisa iyo hirgelintiisa ayaa ka fudud.
Waa tan daraasad aan ka qoray arrinkan: https://t.co/2W74pvDhUL
MAYA, MAYA, MAYA ayaan leeyahay Xeerkan ujeeddada xukun-maroorsiga ah leh ee dowladdu wadato. Waase aragtideyda.