28/10/2012

Working on Somalia...

Writing about Somalia's politics for a research report, here are a few facts I gathered in the news and that can be useful for all:

Who is Hassan Sheikh Mohamud?

From the BBC News' website:

  • Born in central Hiran region
  • From the major Hawiye clan
  • Married, speaks Somali and English
  • Studied engineering at the Somali National University and went onto become a lecturer in 1981
  • Five years later went to India to study, obtaining an MBA from Bhopal University
  • Returned to oversee a Ministry of Education teacher-training scheme funded by Unesco
  • Stayed in Somalia during the civil war, working as a consultant with non-governmental groups, UN bodies and on several peace initiatives
  • Helped set up the Simad University, and was its dean for 10 years until 2009
  • Founded his Peace and Development Party (PDP) in 2011
  • Elected an MP in August 2012 

Key constitutional points

  • A bill of rights, with everyone declared to be equal, regardless of clan or religion
  • Islam is the only religion of the state, and no other religion can be propagated in the country - however, this was also the case previously
  • Female genital mutilation - a widespread practice - is outlawed
  • Citizens have the right to be educated up to secondary level
  • A Truth and Reconciliation Commission is to be established
  • Territorial disputes should be settled peacefully - Somalia has gone to war with both Kenya and Ethiopia over its claims to their Somali-inhabited regions
  • Somalia will have a federal system - however the status of Mogadishu, the borders and distribution of power and resources between the regions are yet to be decided

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