Italy Gifts Digital Archive of Somali Legislation to Support Legal and Cultural Revival
In a move brimming with historical and sentimental significance, Italy handed over a treasure trove of Somali laws and official documents from 1950 through 1989, meant to invigorate Somalia’s legal structure and cultural rejuvenation. Italian Ambassador Pier Mario Daccò Coppi presented this digital archive to Somali Minister of Justice Hassan Moalim Mohamud at a poignant ceremony in Mogadishu. The event also poignantly marked the anniversary of the massacre of Italians in the city in 1948.
These documents, gifted by Italy’s Roma Tre University, capture the legislative and bureaucratic heartbeat of Somalia during pivotal years. They encompass the period of Italian trusteeship and extend into the era of the Somali Democratic Republic. Notably, these papers were initially published in Italy until 1973, transitioning to Somali shores after the nation adopted the Latin alphabet in 1972. The archive serves as a cornerstone of the contemporary Somali legal framework, especially crucial since many original documents were casualties of the civil unrest that followed.
Expressing heartfelt gratitude, Minister Mohamud accentuated the archives’ utility, particularly for Somali legal minds and students tasked with reconstructing their nation’s legal edifice. Available in both Italian and Somali, this compilation provides indispensable insights into the country’s legislative metamorphosis during a transformational era.
This generous donation is a testament to Italy’s unwavering dedication to aiding Somalia’s revival. Italy has persistently collaborated with Somali institutions since the 1980s, aiming to safeguard and enshrine the country’s cultural legacy. Just a month prior, Italy enriched the Somali Language Academy with around 2,000 rare tomes, further underscoring this commitment.
Professor Annarita Puglielli, a luminary and ex-director of the Roma Tre University Centre for Somali Studies, spearheaded this preservation initiative. Alongside Professor Abdalah Omar Mansur of the Somali Language Academy, she has ensured these precious documents endured in the face of Somalia’s tumultuous past.
The Somali legal fraternity and governmental figures have greeted Italy’s contribution warmly. They recognize this archive as a linchpin in safeguarding their nation’s legal heritage. For Somalia’s legal eagles, these documents offer not just a glimpse into history but also a broader comprehension of their legal tapestry’s evolution.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
