Dastuur/ New Somalia Constitution

[marcassmith]

I have recently been following the latest developments of the new 'Somalia' constitution with keen interest. From the outset, I think its a very bold move towards some form of written constitution or better yet, I think, the architects want it to be a point of reference for the Somalia population. This is innovative and indeed to be welcomed but the so-called 'Dastuur' also has many short-comings. Primary, among these is that - its being formulated by an unelected group of self-appointed individuals with a vested interest in peace. There is nothing wrong with this. Its admirable. But its being drafted aboard in nice hotel conference halls without any consultation with the people its supposed to govern - much like previous TNG/TFG projects. No feasibility study has been done on it and its very limited in scope, both in terms of its long term outlook and its insistence on importing foreign ideologies into 'Somalia'. By this, I mean that there is nothing wrong with the current customary and localised polycentric xeer systems. This is the solution to the problems, not a prescribed one-size-fits-all idea generated aboard. Recently, the dastuur was endorsed by the Puntland authority.

The current problems that plague the former Somalia Koonfuria will not be fixed by ambitious and ill-thought out attempts like this 'dastuur'. The problems in the former Somalia Koonfuria need localised solutions with a grass-roots investment in the people.



http://www.dastuur.org/

[gobdoon]

Dalxa for president

[kismayogedojubaland]

http://www.dastuur.org/images/stories/d ... nglish.pdf

[Executive]

Why even talk about the somali constitution when we don't even have a government?

[marcassmith]

Why even talk about the somali constitution when we don't even have a government?

Its very mismatched. I see where you are coming from. Its a waste of resources and time. The people of 'Somalia' do not need to be told how they ought to behave and live their lives. This consultative legislation ignores the current so called 'living law' and other existing systems in place that can potentially solve the problems of 'Somalia'. Instead, the committee responsible for the dastuur wants to replace it with a dastuur engineered aboard with no links with the people it seeks to govern. Its quite deceptive because it make several reference to being a consultation draft constitution. Certainly, It begs, the question of when it might actually be coming into effect and who will authorise its implementation.

On the issue of the existence of a government, there is an internationally recognised Somalia government but I don't think, at least, according, to the facts on the ground, this is recognised by all stakeholders. This is will render any effort to legislate, implement and enforce the dastuur a waste of time. Pity, Indeed.