The launch of an Intergovernmental Academy of Somali Language

July 6, 2013
As Somalis the world over were reveling in the independence day celebrations of June 26th, June 27th and July 1st, a series of equally historic events were taking place in Djibouti to launch the first ever Intergovernmental Academy of Somali Language. The Academy is being created by the governments of Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somaliland with the expressed purpose of safeguarding and developing the Somali language, officially recognized by the Academy of African Languages (ACALAN) as an important vehicular cross-border language that links the Horn of Africa region.
The historic events in Djibouti included a meeting of experts on the Somali language and literature, a ministerial conference to discuss the role of the governments concerned, and a public launch where ministers from the signatory countries detailed their plans and support for the newly-created Intergovernmental Academy of Somali Language.

The official launch of the Intergovernmental Academy of Somali Language took place at Kempinski Hotel on June 26th to coincide with the day in 1960 when the first Somali region gained independence. The event was opened and closed with performances by the celebrated Djiboutian 4th of March Band, which enthralled the audience with traditional songs and dances in a skillful bid to highlight the cultural ties that bind the countries of the Horn.

Among those in attendance were the ministers responsible for cultural affairs in Djibouti, Somalia, Somaliland, Puntland and the Somali region of Ethiopia whose delegation was led by their vice-president. Also present were other ministers, parliamentarians, journalists, linguists and intellectuals from the participating countries. Included in these were members of the Steering Committee of experts who in the past six months have engaged in a meticulous preparatory work, including the preparation of the basic documents and a consultative tour throughout the Horn. Members of the general public were also present in their hundreds.

Ministers of the represented national and regional governments took turns to speak about the need for the common academy and their governments’ commitment to its success. Led by the young and energetic Djiboutian Minister of Culture, Islamic Affairs and Endowment, the ministers signed on the official agreement that established the intergovernmental body in public view at the end of the event.
The successful launch event was preceded by an expert meeting held on June 25th at the IGAD Headquarters Hall in Djibouti. In addition to sharing knowledge on Somali language and its literature, the meeting, attended by experts from the Horn and beyond, reviewed and validated the work of the nine-member expert committee tasked by the participants of the international conference on the Somali language held in Djibouti on 17-21 December 2012 to do the ground work for the establishment of the Academy.

The recommendations of the experts and others in parallel consultations were presented to the ministers responsible for cultural affairs in the above countries and regional states who met separately to deliberate on the tasks at hand. The outcome of their meeting included: an agreement on the step by step establishment of the Academy starting with a transitional phase of 12 months from July 2013; the appointment of a 13-member interim board to manage the work of the Academy during that time; and the convening of a General Assembly at the end of that period where heads of state from the countries concerned or their representatives will review and ratify the final agreement establishing the Academy in full.
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The list of the elected interim board is as follows:
Dr. Mohamed Dahir Afrah – Chairman
Mohamed Ibrahim Warsame “Hadraawi” – Vice-Chairman
Dr. Abdirashid Mohamed Ismail – Vice-Chairman
Dr. Abdinasir Ahmed Ibrahim – Vice-Chairman
Burhan Warsame – Secretary
Dr. Hibo Moumin Assowe – Treasurer
Said Salah Ahmed – Member
Amb. Salah Mohamed Ali (Sharif Salah) – Member
Prof. Abdalla Omar Mansur – Member
Ahmed Sheikh Jama – Member
Ahmed Sheikh Abdirahman – Member
Ahmed Mohamed Suleiman – Member
Mohamed Guutaale – Member.