End of era as Khatumo State transitions to a more efficient and permanent administration

Firstly, Happy Ramadan to readers of Khatumo.net. In Somalia’s Northeastern region, between the so called Puntland and Somaliland administrations lies the State of Khatumo established almost 18 months ago on the 13th of January 2012. Under the famous Gol-Khatumo tree gathered the communities of Sool Sanaag and Cayn represented by traditional leaders consisting of 13 Graads and 65 Aqils. After months of deliberations and consensus building, the SSC community has democratically estbalished Khatumo State as the only Legitimate administration in that region. The former Somali Dervish State has received a widespread welcome not only from local and diverse communities of the region but also from Federal Somalia and the international community. The former President of Somali Mr. Sheikh Shareef has also formally recognized Khatumo State as part of the local Somali provinces such as Puntland, Galmudug, Hiiraan, and other regions in Greater Somalia.

Over the past year and half, Khatumo State has been led by Supreme Council of Traditional Leaders, an Executive Council (G11 or Group 11), Presidential Council (with three presidents and ministers) and Parliamentary Council. These rotating three presidents (Ahmed Elmi Karaash, Mohamed Yusuf Indho-sheel and Abdi Nur Elmi Qaje) have each served a 6 month term ending August 13, 2013. Before we examine what’s next, let’s first check a bit about the past. Since its inception, Khatumo’s temporary administration headquartered in Taleh City has clearly achieved a lot but has a lot more work to do; it has created the solid identity that folks of SSC regions have aspired for a long time, it has sparked the collective imagination of its people creating a forum for us to converse, to debate, to agree and disagree, to celebrate together when we achieve milestones such as opening up the skyways of SSC, landing The first Air-flight in Taleh, and to mourn together when our people are killed in Buhodle and Xuddun by the invading militias of the Hargaisa Administration.

Justifiably, The Liberation of Lasanod City still remains an overarching issue for true Khatumo-ites However, the rationale that the lack of Lasanod liberation equates disengagement or less contribution to the Khatumo cause is equally un-justified; Folks, the hurdles are too much for a small number of Diaspora leaders or local groups to succeed. Khatumo requires true conviction by its majority to truly prevail.The next few months are critical in the development of Khatumo Administration; Capitalizing on the recent successful invitations and meetings with the international community including the UN Monitoring Group, the UNDP, ICRC is step in the right direction in terms of resource and funding development. That’s why the recent call for this summer’s Grand Conference in Taleh needs to be solidified and supported. As we plan to construct a more stable and permanent administration, we need to move quickly to lay a solid and a more efficient foundation with fully completed Constitution, necessary bylaws, and a functioning Parliament to be erected. And Now that the temporary phase has passed, a Unitary Presidential coucil_ONE president needs to be elected.

I can understand and appreciate the contrarian argument about the possible speculatins that if a new administration or president is announced, an Ex-President or Minister or even a Traditional leader might be upset and could follow the footsteps of Hagla-toosiye who betrayed his community when he flipped sides. Such scenarios should not be feared if we are truly building a true khatumo Democracy. A Group of technical team needs to be visible in Taleh or another host city facilitating the ground rules of the transition, orienting and educating locals about possible structures and designs of their new administration. Role Models such as members of the G-11 need to set the tone in traveling to the region. Or a group of SSC youth volunteers could charter a flight from Nairobi to help in conflict resolution and conference organization. Of course ownership and elections will be locally driven as was successfully done in Jan. 2012.

I am fired up and ready to support and embrace the new phase of Khatumo State, Are you ? What are you doing about it since our leaders have sent us the clear message that this Summer’s conference needs to happen and take place successfully. Khatumo is not about a selected few but it is about each of us contributing to something larger than all of us. The plight, dignity, and existence of the Darwiish Community depends on your actions this summer. Some of you may be tired of contributing or seem less motivated this time around, However, The diaspora communities have sparked a renewed and Different campaign to build the next stage of Khatumo State. Khatumo 2.0 Model is here; a Khatumo administration that is in part dependent more on International Development money and less on donations from its members…

Le’t go folks. More info on this subject later in upcoming articles… stay with www.khatumo.net.

A. Hindi
Email: admin@khatumo.net