Ahmed Ashkir Botan (Somali Axmed Ashkir Bootaan; Arabic: أحمد أشكر بوتان) was a prominent Somali politician, academic, and statesman. He served as the President of the Somali National University from 1967 to 1977[1]and later held the position of Minister of Culture and Higher Education of the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party from 1978 to 1982.[2] Botan also chaired the Technical Committee that drafted the Somali Constitution in 1979. From 1985 to 1990, he was the Chairman of the Bureau for Central Committee Affairs and the Head of the Secretariat of the Central Committee within the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party.[3]
Ahmed Ashkir Botan | |
|---|---|
 Dr. Ahmed giving an interview in 1979. | |
| President of Somali National University | |
| In office 1970–1977 | |
| Minister of Culture and Higher Education of Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party | |
| In office 1978–1982 | |
| Preceded by | Umar Arteh Ghalib |
| Succeeded by | Abdiqasim Salad |
| Chairman of the Bureau for Central Committee Affairs of Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party | |
| In office 1983–1990 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1934 Galkayo, Somalia |
| Alma mater | Somali National University |
Career
editAhmed Ashkir Botan began his career as a professor at the Somali National University, where he contributed significantly to the country’s higher education system.[1]In 1970, he became the President of Somali National University, a position he held until 1978. During his presidency, Botan was instrumental in expanding the university’s academic reach and solidifying its role as a leading educational institution in Somalia.[4]
In 1978, Botan was appointed Minister of Culture and Higher Education, succeeding Omar Arteh Ghalib. He held this position until 1982,[5] during which he focused on educational reforms and the preservation of Somali cultural heritage, ensuring that the educational system aligned with the country's social values and national objectives.[6]
In 1979, Ahmed Ashkir Botan served as the Chairman of the Technical Committee responsible for drafting the Somali Constitution. In this role, he led efforts to create a legal framework that reflected the cultural values and aspirations of the Somali people. The draft constitution aimed to promote unity, social justice, and economic development while establishing a socialist framework. Botan's leadership facilitated constructive dialogue within the committee, allowing for the incorporation of national identity and governance principles. Although the constitution was not fully implemented, it became a foundational document influencing subsequent legal and political developments in Somalia.[7]
Alongside his work in academia and government, Botan held several positions within the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party (SRSP). He was a member of the SRSP Central Committee[8] and served as Chairman of the Bureau for Central Committee Affairs from 1983 to 1990.[9][3] He also held the position of Head of the Secretariat of the Central Committee (CC)from 1984 to 1990, overseeing the party's administrative functions and internal operations.[10]
Botan’s contributions to both education and politics have been recognized as essential to Somalia’s development, particularly during the transformative years of the post-colonial era.[4]
The delegation of 1978
editIn 1978, a significant delegation led by Minister of Higher Education and Culture Ahmed Ashkir Botan visited China. On the evening of the 21st, they were hosted by Minister of Education Liu Xiyao. Minister Liu praised the friendship and unity between the Chinese and Somali peoples in the struggle against hegemony, imperialism, and proliferation, and expressed his hope to exchange and learn from the rich experiences of those involved in education and culture in Somalia:
The delegation led by Minister of Higher Education and Culture Ahmed Ashkir Botan was hosted by Minister of Education Liu Xiyao on the evening of the 21st. Minister Liu praised the friendship and unity between the Chinese and Somali peoples in the struggle against hegemony, imperialism and proliferation, and expressed his hope to exchange and learn from the rich experiences of those involved in education and culture in Somalia.[11]
The delegation of 1985
editIn 1985, a delegation from the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party, consisting of five members and led by Ahmed Ashkir Botan, the Central Committee Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary-General, arrived in Beijing on April 29th at the invitation of the Chinese delegation. On the evening of May 1st, Qian Liren, Director of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party, met with the delegation and hosted a banquet.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b "Protocollo di Accordo tra l'Università Nazionale Somala e la Facoltà di Magistero dell'Università di Roma" (in Italian). 2 May 2016.
- ^ Nelson, Harold D. (1982). Somalia, a Country Study. U.S. Government Printing Office.
- ^ a b Daily Report: China. Foreign Broadcast Information Service. 1985.
- ^ a b The Colonial Legacy in Somalia (PDF).
- ^ Nelson, Harold D. (1982). Somalia, a Country Study. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 296.
- ^ First Mogadishu Pan-African Film Symposium: Pan-African Cinema-- which Way Ahead? : Proceedings. MOGPAFIS Management Committee. 1983. pp. 81–82.
- ^ Halgan: Organ of the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party. Central Committee of the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party. 1977. pp. 20–22.
- ^ Legum, Colin (1985). Africa Contemporary Record: Annual Survey and Documents. Africana Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-8419-0556-6.
- ^ Service, British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring (1985). Summary of World Broadcasts: The Far East. Part III. Monitoring Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation.
- ^ Romania, Documents, Events. Agerpres. 1983. p. 2.
- ^ 中国月報 (in Japanese). 外務省アジア局中国課. 1978.
- ^ Chūgoku geppō (in Japanese). Gaimushō, Ajiakyoku, Chūgokuka. 1985.