The Oromo “Gadaa” and the Somali “Xeer”:
Exploring their similarities and Contribution
to the Rebuilding of an African Endogenous Political Philosophy
25 February 2025
Co-Convened by Afrospectives and Salale University

During a time when modern governance structures in Africa are being questioned for their efficacy and relevance, traditional governance models such as the Oromo Gadaa and Somali Xeer offer valuable insights. On February 25, 2025, a significant roundtable discussion was organized by Afrospectives and Salale University at the Oromia Regional State Offices in Addis Ababa. This event brought together 22 scholars, policymakers, and traditional governance experts to analyze the similarities between the Gadaa and Xeer systems and their potential contribution to contemporary African governance.

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The Revival of Endogenous Governance Systems

For decades, governance in Africa has largely been shaped by imported models, often failing to address the continent’s specific socio-political realities. Professor Bekele Gutema (Addis Ababa University) opened the discussion by emphasizing the need to reassess and revive African governance traditions. He highlighted that the dominant governance paradigms, rooted in Eurocentric frameworks, often undermine indigenous mechanisms that have historically ensured stability, participation, and social cohesion.

This event also served as the launch of Beyond Mimicry: The Potential of African Endogenous Systems, co-edited by Dr. Ali Moussa Iye, president of Afrospectives, and Professor Augustin Holl. The book examines various African governance systems and advocates for their reintegration into policy discussions to develop sustainable and homegrown governance solutions.

 

Commonalities Between Gadaa and Xeer

The discussions revealed key similarities between the Gadaa and Xeer systems:

• Decentralized and participatory decision-making: Both systems emphasize communal decision-making, where authority is distributed among councils or assemblies that operate based on collective deliberation.

• Justice rooted in reconciliation and restoration: Unlike punitive Western legal frameworks, both Gadaa and Xeer emphasize conflict resolution through mediation and restitution, ensuring social harmony.

• Governance based on service and responsibility: Leaders in both traditions are selected based on their ability to serve the community rather than personal or hereditary privilege.

Dr. Ali Moussa Iye presented the Xeer system as an intricate governance and legal framework structuring Somali clan society, while Professor Zelalem Tesfaye (Salale University) elaborated on the Gadaa system’s generational power alternation, which prevents autocracy and ensures leadership accountability.

 

The Role of Indigenous Systems in Contemporary Governance

One of the central themes of the discussion was how these traditional governance models could be integrated into modern political structures. Policymakers were challenged on why African governments have been slow to recognize and incorporate indigenous governance systems. The conversation also underscored the disconnect between academia and governance, calling for more initiatives like Afrospectives to bridge this gap.

Further discussions examined historical injustices, including reparations for colonialism and slavery. Dr. Ali Moussa Iye referenced CARICOM’s efforts to push for reparations and highlighted the need for African governments to take a unified stance on this issue.

 

Future Directions and Recommendations

As the roundtable concluded, Ambassador Mahammud Drir emphasized the deep cultural and linguistic ties between the Oromo and Somali peoples, reinforcing the importance of ongoing collaboration. The key recommendations included:

• Promoting intercultural dialogues between researchers, policymakers, and community leaders.

• Incorporating indigenous knowledge into educational curricula to ensure its transmission to future generations.

• Establishing collaborative governance models that merge traditional and modern political structures for more effective governance.

 

This event reinforced Afrospectives' ongoing commitment to elevating African indigenous knowledge in governance debates. As Africa seeks governance solutions tailored to its realities, discussions like these offer a crucial foundation for integrating homegrown systems into contemporary political frameworks.

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To continue this dialogue and build on these insights, further research and structured exchanges are essential. Rather than being relics of the past, the Gadaa and Xeer systems should be recognized as viable, dynamic governance models that can contribute meaningfully to Africa’s political and social transformation.