Political ineptitude or tribal arrogance?
President Abdullahi Yussuf failed to pass the first test

By A. Dirshe

After almost a month of anticipation, eagerly waiting for the formation of a representative Somali government, a highly controversial list of ministers was announced. Other posts could not be filled because of outstanding ‘issues’, according to the prime minister’s office. Somalis everywhere are outraged. It is neither an all-inclusive government, nor is it representative. There are only few new ministers who are technocrats and the rest are solely selected because they have met one of two criteria: First, there are those who will not oppose Ethiopia’s interest in Somalia. They are mainly members of the SRRC, an Ethiopia backed faction group. The second group is very interesting and is what I call the “X” factor. They are chosen to provoke an internal struggle among certain groups of the Somali sub-clans. They are mainly from Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia and will undoubtedly be a factor in what happens next. The president, Mr. Yussuf, a man known for his loyalty to his Ethiopian masters, anticipates violence erupting in Mogadishu anytime soon. By not giving any government post to some of the most powerful groups in Mogadishu, he expects, will provoke strong resistance from them. The actions of this group will determine whether the government’s sabotage succeeds or fails. If, however, violence starts, Mr. Yussuf will undoubtedly run back to his Ethiopian handlers to push for an African army to bring ‘peace’ to the poor Somali nation.

Somalis were hopeful that the new leadership under Mr. Ghedi, the prime minister, an educated young man, would lead to the consolidation of the goodwill of the faction leaders and the Somali people. They hoped he would form a government of national unity. A government with clear vision that tackles the political, security, economic, humanitarian and institution-building problems, an administration that was performance based and goal-driven. It is believed that he is outmaneuvered by the president and his Ethiopian masters.

The prime minister must go back to the drawing board and come up with a unambiguous roadmap, that has clear phases, timelines, target dates and bench-marks aiming at progress in all areas of our country’s problems. The first step, as he rightly identified, should be reconciliation and trust building among the people of Somalia, without which nothing else is possible. Peaceful coexistence requires mutual respect. He must not lose this great opportunity for all Somalis.

The president has shown political ineptitude and seems to want to start a new civil war. All past political reconciliation gains are weakened but not lost.

The international community is threatening of withdrawing its support from the entire process. Somalia needs the support of the international community. The president must realize that he can no longer operate in the civil-war-mentality-era of political opportunism and tribal hatred. Somalis have a shared responsibility to reject his hostile attitude and demand a more inclusive and peaceful approach to the political dilemma in Somalia. It requires a Gandhi-like approach.

By A. Dirshe
E-mail: [email protected]
Canada