by Sakawdin Mohamed
Monday, October 25, 2010
Many recent high profile appointments and the following power disputes serve as an evidence to what the Somali public have long been complaining that the last four Somali political appointments and power sharing system have been dominated by descendants of former warlords and/or brutal ex-regimes and thus sideline real patriots and solution oriented Somali intellectuals that have never been part of the past or current tribal politics. Except, the most last appointment of such real patriotic men Yusuf Dheeg, Mohamed Ali Hamud, Burci Hamza and small minority of few good men that left.
As the current Somali political system continues to indicate that the Somali public may soon see the establishment of small elite political dynasty (made by certain multi-tribal individuals wanting to prolong their existence and hold to the Somali political structure) in which they hope to establish legitimate/ dictatorial leadership based on elections. It is true that political dynasties have always been present in the previous Somali governance as well, such as Abdi-Qasim area and the Abdulahi Yusuf, but their attempt to establish such dynasty has failed immediately or they were discovered early. The current Sheikh-Sharif & Sharif Hassan dynasty is different and seems that they have learned from the previous as they are diversified in order to minimize their risk to be discovered prematurely. They are so far seem to have spanned little more longer time and produced many interest-based leaders from prominent tribes and troublesome clans.
The main concern for many Somalis with this political dynasty in the making- as voiced in the popular Somali online outlets is that they are somehow un-democratic, in which the international community especially the US will not accept, and seems to worsen the deep tribal mistrust that many Somalis harbor. Currently, the Somali administration led by Sheikh Sharif and Sharif Hassan in matrimony seems to care less about the US as long as they have the African Union in their back and as intermediaries. Somali intellectuals and the Diaspora have had similar concerns. President Sharif and his allies have repeatedly failed to correct their mistakes as they have many times replaced and consumed their precious time the forming and the reforming the same ministers without bringing new faces or introducing new solutions. They have always appointed key ministerial positions to the same individuals. For example, each major Somali tribes always get some key ministerial positions. Many Somalis, know that each one of those tribes have different well regarded intellectuals, but every time a new prime-minister is appointed they seem not to either have the independence or the mental capacity to look beyond same ministers or same clans that have had the chance to do right for Somalia, but failed to take advantage. Each and every time no single goodhearted Somali is given the chance to serve and do right -- this is because it is against the key mission or goals of the establishment of this new Somali political dynasty led by very close friends planning to go on for ever. Some of these leaders are currently preparing and paying for to crown their significant others to take on the dynasty. Somalia is under critical condition, where years ago what put us the situation we are in is repeated. We remember that rebels were formed after public dissatisfaction of one-man rule. Somalis should not be fooled twice. The current regime has every sign of political dynasty - of friends helping each others to remain in power after every national reconciliations or elections. Somalis will have to stay tuned for once Minister of Finance become the Speaker of the parliament and soon the president of Somalia, where the current president becomes Speaker of the parliament and the vice-verse. Also keep watching as each time, you will say and hear same names appear in the new government formations list with minor name changes. If this is not the signs of dynasty then what is it?
It was once said that the iron law of oligarchy, states that: “even in democratic
organizations the leadership, once elected, would entrench itself in power, undermining the democratic principle of a level playing.” This has been clearly manifested by Sheikh Sharif and Sharif Hassan and their inner circles/ the few chosen ones or the hand picked as they continue to correcting mistakes with mistakes and deny justice as well as involvement for the dominant masses that are eager to introduce changes. It is an even bigger mistake to think that the current government – are not interested in dismantling political clans/armed tribes, but instead hire them as government soldiers, and appoint their leaders as Defense Ministers.
In many parts of the world, political dynasties are supposed to be prohibited by constitutions, and the global rule of justice. The actions of the current Somali political establishment is clearly unconstitutional as every constitution, the Somali constitution was established to provide and guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties. It is so sad to see in Somalia after the brutal 21 years of one-man rule that political dynasties are observed to have began again in Somalia where parliament voting is limited to specific chosen Mps, and rich well connected Somalis to monopolize public office. The Somali government should not avoid the parliament voting, we suppose to encourage and make parliament elections to work. It is difficult to establish political/ group consensus, but nevertheless the government cannot ignore and squash the process because they fail to establish and get enough votes. Under democratic principles, no one should expect to get people go alone without debate/without convincing and getting the masses moving, that is if the government has a case and is fair.
I would urge most fair-minded, God-fearing and peace-loving Somali lawmakers/MPs to introduce serious constitutional ban on political dynasties because they are too bad in our society and they seem to breed corruption and injustice, not each one of you come from political dynasties and clans, there is no benefit to be in a long entrenched in power; even if - Somalia should not welcome new political dynasties. We should challenge the traditional political clans in their bailiwicks.
And finally, the sequence of recent events should serve as guidance and hint that might lead to the emergence of honest and engaging Somali leadership that views Somali intellectuals as an allies, but not competitors. One that will appoint smart people that will work hard to get the admiration of the Somalis and the international community. The Somali people need a government that has capable and educated leaders who will infuse Somalia with a can-do spirit; and present Somali public alternatives against the backwards/extremists.
Unless the current leadership corrects its mistakes in this critical time, the international community will loose interest in Somalia as they have started now, and invest in other areas where progress are seen. The collective will of majority of Somalis will follow’ and the few loud selfish and greedy individuals would not succeed in wresting Somalia away from Somalians. We must be careful in ensuring that our fellow Somalis make the right choice in choosing their next president come 2011, and also continue to have good governance - we must have and engage the educated Somali technocrats that will set the stage for new beginning against terrorism, tribalism and political group elitisms brought about the emergence of the members of the Union of Islamic Courts and their supporters.
Sakawdin Mohamed, MS, MPA-candidate
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