The Legacy of Garaad Cabdiqani Garaad Jaamac
Liban Ahmad
liban1999@gmail.com
Jun 12 2014
Editor’s note:
The following essay was written in 2006 in memory of the late Garaad Cabdiqani Garaad Jaamac. Eight years after the coronation of his successor, Garaad Jaamac Garaad Cali, people in Sool region are facing serious political challenges. Liban Ahmad, the author of the piece has praised Garaad Jaamac Garaad Cali for “ his consistent search for a united political leadership” and Khaatumo “ for its morally acceptable political foundations”. In an email Liban wrote: “ The basic argument of Khaatumo is based on democratic ideals : the Dhulbahante clan cannot achieve political goals if its political leaders are divided. Neither Dhulbahante politicians in Garowe nor those in Hargeisa have ever formulated such a clear political agenda. Dividedness in Dhulbahante is a problem for Somalilanders keen on secession, and for Puntlanders eager for a clan-based ally against multiple challenges from the Somali clan politics. Helping Dhulbahante clan to look after its political interests can advance peace in Ex-British Somaliland territories claimed by Puntland and Somaliland ”
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Garaad Cabdiqani Garaad Jaamac
Garaad Cabdiqani Garaad Jaamac who died 9 February of complications from diabetes in Djibouti was one the most well known and influential traditional leaders in Somalia. He assumed chieftaincy in 1985 following the death of his brother, Cali Garaad Jaamac, a veteran politician and co-founder of now defunct United Somali Party of Ex-British Somaliland.
Garaad Cabdiqani was born in Laas Caanood city in 1935. He was among the first batch of pupils to join Laas Caanood primary school early 1940s.
During 1950s he came to UK for further education.
As the coronation of a new Jaamac Garaad Cali in Sool draws near, it is time to assess the legacy of the late Garaad Cabdiqani Garaad Jaamac and offer some pointers to the Garaad designate.
Before Garad Cabdiqani assumed the chieftaincy, he worked for the pre- and post independence administrations in different capacities- as banker (1950s), head of Somali Affairs and regional governor (1960s). Throughout his career the late Garaad was known for diligence and impartiality. His experience in civil service had become of much use to him when he was appointed a Garaad in 1985. It was a time Somalia was undergoing major changes in terms of the mounting opposition to the former military dictatorship that was ousted in January 1991. His moment of truth came in 1988 when the first civil war erupted in Somalia following the SNM’s attempts to end the reign of the military dictatorship in Burco, Hargeysa and Berbera.
While people mulled over the position to take in the war between the former Somali Army and the SNM forces, Garaad Cabdiqani had posed questions about the legitimacy of the government’s response to the war: it was civilians who borne the brunt of government’s brutal response to opposition forces. The regime had a history of collective punishment as strategy to counter armed opposition forces. The late Garaad Cabdiqani stance was informed by a sense of history: no regime will exist forever no matter how oppressive and powerful its forces are. It is the non-combatants who will pick up the pieces when the fate of such a regime is sealed.
Garaad Cabdiqani criticised the former Somali military government for human rights violations against unarmed civilians in the north. The late Garaad made initial contact with traditional leaders of the clan from which Somali National Movement drew its moral and material support. His peace overtures laid the foundation for peace agreement that led to Burco conference in 1991 when Somaliland was declared an independent state that is no longer in union with the rest of Somalia. The Garaad attended the meeting out of which the unilateral secession emerged. He did not criticise the secession despite its reputation for lacking consensual imprimatur. He did not think of political developments in Somalia— reconciliation conferences, setting up of new regional administrations—as flawless. Rather, he always thought about ways that Somalis could share political future despite the bottomless abyss into which institutional trust had been thrown. He was alive to the capriciousness associated with the Somali clan system.
In 1993when the late Mohamed Ibrahim Egal was appointed second Somaliland president, the Garaad was the first to visualise strategies to widen political participation in Somaliland. Egal’s administration ignored suggestions of the Garaad who was looked upon as an ally of the late Cabdiraxmaan Axmed Cali, first president of Somaliland. It was a time Somaliland was recovering from an unnecessary civil war that pitted forces loyal to Cabdiraxmaan Axmed Cali against forces of the Somaliland authority.
It was the start of a Somaliland policy that emphasises appointment of politicians from the Garaad’s constituencies without the input of local communities. It was political miscalculation that was criticised by many ardent Somalilanders.
If unity-based Somali political project had become a farce, a vision based on sharing political institutions could have been formulated other than redrawing the Somali map, and expecting people to honour borders that the British and Italians made. It was the Garaad’s contention that secession is fraught with contradictions similar to those that led to the collapse of state of Somalia. The only difference between secession and unity is that the first has never been tested whereas the latter was tested. He was not naïve, though: he understood that candour and honesty that characterize Somali traditional leadership have no place in the cut-throat, modern day Somali politics used for co-opting traditional leaders as purveyors of clan sentiments. He did not stoop so low as to endorse policies of any administration whenever leaders resorted to favouritism or dictatorship. He thought of the administrations as necessary, stabilising entities. He had fallen out with both former Somaliland and Puntland presidents.
Garaad Cabdiqani’s reading of Somali political scene was instructive: “people have the same dreams, and long for peace, justice but it is politicians who keep the people apart,” Garaad Cabdiqani said. There in lies the paradox of Somali politics: eager for peaceful coexistence but reluctant to use the right language and frame of mind. Garaad Cabdiqani was of the opinion that Somalis’ interest lies in unity if it is redefined in light of tribulations Somalis have been through.
Jaamac Cali Garaad, the Garaad designate, nephew of Garaad Cabdiqani, and son of the late Garaad Cali Garaad Jaamac, will face challenges that are both traditional and political . The people for whom he will be Garaad live in regions that were spared the horrors after state collapse in Somalia. That is Garaad Cabdiqani’s unforgettable peace legacy; it is also in inspiration to you [ The Garaad-designate] and to any peace loving person. Adopting the approach Garaad Cabdiqani pioneered is a major task, so is valuing diversity of political opinions of people in Sool, Togdheer and Sanaag who pledge traditional allegiance to you and other Garaads and Sultans. That is the best and tested way to protect people against blunders of politicians. Promote social justice, respect and empowerment for minority people through strategies that will weaken and finally undermine age old segregation to which our brothers and sisters are subjected. Promote peaceful coexistence with neighbouring clans.
Forty six years ago when Somalia became an independent state, hopes of nationhood outweighed impediments that some had foreseen: people shared basic narrative about colonial rule and the need for self determination. Somalia’s turbulent, post-colonial history seems to have conditioned people towards seeking solace in clan-formulated policies. It is not clear that lessons have been learned following state failure and collapse in Somalia. As a Garaad you don’t have to be discouraged by the bleak political landscape in Somalia. You have a moral duty to speak up whenever injustice is meted out to people politically or socially. Unite your people under any platform they deem to be the right one!
Liban Ahmad
liban1999@gmail.com