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Title: | Somali Reconstruction and Local Initiative: Amoud University |
Author: | Samatar, Abdi I.![]() |
Year: | 2001 |
Periodical: | World Development |
Volume: | 29 |
Issue: | 4 |
Period: | April |
Pages: | 641-656 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Somalia |
Subjects: | values universities Development and Technology nationalism Education and Oral Traditions |
External link: | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-750X(00)00120-0 |
Abstract: | Traditional analysts of Somali politics erroneously assume that genealogical differences led to Somalia's disintegration. The present author argues that the causes are: State leaders' failure to nurture shared cultural and social commonalities and sectarian entrepreneurs' instrumentalist accentuation of social differences. The State's credibility has been destroyed because it failed to guard common interests and the erosion of social solidarity based on inclusive values makes Somali reconstruction an awesome task. This essay about Amoud University shows that building people's confidence that they can work together for the common good and establishing their trust in public institutions is not necessarily a long-term proposition. The essay first panoramically sketches Somali elite politics and describes how they destroyed public trust in State institutions and undermined the importance of shared norms. It then narrates how Borama community members are trying to resuscitate common cause through the establishment of Amoud University. Finally the essay assesses Amoud University's significance to the remaking of public trust in Borama and Somalia and the re-forming of an inclusive national identity. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. |