Somali African National Union Political Party

Ras Kiamponi. With the highest population density in the whole country, the Banadir is, historically, known for its cotton industry, goldsmiths, trade, fishing, agriculture, construction, and schools. Throughout the centuries, the Banadir flourished to become one of the most important trading coastal regions in East Africa. Itis inhabited by communities who succeeded to forge common cultural values, beliefs, and a distinct identity. The Banaadiri people are known for their hard work, tolerance, non-violence, and peaceful coexistence. They are a multiethnic population, including Arabs, Bantus and Cush*te groups. Since the Periplus of the Erythrean Seas, attributed to Ariano di Nicomedia (60 A.D.), the Banadiri Coast was an ancient trading center. From India and Arabia, trading sea vessels anchored at Mogadishu as the first natural harbor in the Horn of Africa to trade and take supplies on their journey to Zanzibar, Kilwa and Sofola. In 1331, Ibn Battouta was extremely marveled at the splendor of this city. In 1516, the Portuguese navigator Duarte calls it, "A very big town of blacks called Magadoxo. A Sultan rules it. It undertakes much commerce of different merchandise, and many ships arrive here from the big Kingdom of Cambaya, bringing large quantities of clothes of different types, and different goods, and spices...” And again in the XVIII century, Sultan Sayd-bin-Said of Oman, calls it, "the most brilliant of all the princesses of Arabia". Mogadishu, known as Hamar by the native founding Rer Hamar people, emerged through the centuries as the cultural and religious center
of the Banadir Coast. With the independence of Somalia in 1960, Mogadishu became the national capital of Somalia. For thirty years, Somalis all over the country and abroad, poured into their capital to build houses, make business, and be part of the prosperous community it generated. While political setbacks occurred, especially during the military regime, the larger population enjoyed peace and progress. In the last 15 fifteen years, however, Mogadishu has seen one of the worst nightmares in its history. Around the world, it has come to be known as the land of the looting, massacres, ethnic cleansing, and man-made starvation. Not less than 2 million Somalis (a third of the population, and 100% of the educated elite) found refuge overseas under very deplorable conditions, while the remaining population continue to be tormented in the grip of warlords. The second historic rione of Shingani was repeatedly vandalised and finally rased to the ground. Marmes, decorations, antiques, and sacred patrimonies, as far back as the XII century were looted from ancient mosques. Archeological sites, going back to ancient dynasties in Mogadishu, Gondershe, Merka, Brawa, are repeatedly vandalised by armed militias in search of the ancient treasuries and famous jewelry of the native Banaadiris. Somalia and the East Coast of Africa are stripped off of their national heritage. The purpose of this initiative is to mobilise support for the preservation of the deteriorating historical sites in the Banadir. The United Nations Development Program has already named the ancient riones of Hamar Weyne and Shingani in Mogadishu as historic sites that need to be preserved for their exceptional value as commemorating the history of East Africa. We welcome the interest of the international community to research the archeological sites and buildings in the Banadir and establish a framework for their preservation. Then, one day, when Mogadishu comes out of this nightmare as most cities have done, these historic sites would be restored, reconstructed, rehabilitated and preserved as national patrimonies for the future Somali generations.