Hiiraan Online

Mr. Uluso, with his first paragraph, begins: 

Clearly, the performance of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Technocrats has disappointed those who had hope for a fundamental change and held dear the revival of the “Somali Republic” on a sustainable foundation. The TFG of Technocrats has created more problems and distresses rather than confidence, accountability and hopeful future.

I ask: what technocrats in the world, even with “super natural” capabilities, could institute in 2 months fundamental changes and revive a country with 20 years of the worst anarchy?

The new technocrat-led TFG couldn’t be any more different than its predecessors. For example, in 2 months of its existence, this new TFG has paid its soldiers each month. To me, that is a big achievement! Another example is the difference between the numbers of ministerial posts. The TFG before the current technocrat-led had 39 posts, where as this one has reduced posts to 18. Isn’t that a change for the better?

Tangible confidence-building takes time, especially under the disastrous circumstance Somali has been for 2 decades. The 2 good examples above are themselves in part-laying of the foundation for confidence-building.

Then, Mr. Uluso goes on lecturing about what is expected of “technocrats” in world conventional wisdom. He writes: 

Conventional wisdom tells us that Technocrats possess not only the knowledge and skills needed to understand the principles, interests and norms controlling the international relations and politics, but also have the capacity to critically evaluate domestic problems, perceptions and realities, which took root in Somalia in the past half century of abuse of state power, civil war, foreign intervention and religious conflict. After taking stock of the past record of failures and unfulfilled dreams, they were expected to formulate a different vision, strategies and tactics.

Ah, yes! Let me agree with Mr. Uluso with all his points above, but there is nothing there which states or suggests technocrats should possess and waive a “magic wand” over festered 20 years of national mayhem and make it disappear in 2 months!

There is nowhere in his article where he mentions the magnitude of the problem these technocrats face. No sympathy at all for these young and educated Somalis, who left families and good careers behind in the U.S. and elsewhere and risked everything for serving country and people. Amazing!

Mr. Uluso is right about the importance of a sound “vision” for any Somali administration to have to reverse the bleak situation. His conclusion of no vision with the technocrats in Mogadishu, however, is not supported by facts on the ground.

For instance, it must take a sound vision and its implementation to make the new government not easily prone to corruption, which plagued the old TFG. Again, it is by vision that the president and prime minister and his cabinet are all on the same page.

That is why I challenge Mr. Uluso to show any report which alleges any corruption, the usual with past TFG top leaders, of the new government! Moreover, show us any hint, Mr. Uluso, of a report about infighting between the executive branches of the President Sheikh Sharif and the Prime minster Farmajo and his cabinet. There are none, whatsoever. On the contrary, they seem to be working like hand and glove!

Once more, it takes vision to professionalize the army by meeting the soldiers’ needs first. If the primary task of the new government is to restore security by dealing the armed opposition, then this infant new government (only 2 months old) has done some concrete headways in that regard.

Just few months before last Ramadan, Al-Shabaab forces were threatening to takeover Villa Somalia. There were panic-stricken urgent calls from TFG officials for neighboring countries to intervene. Al-Shabaab is no longer few doorsteps from the Presidential Palace, as Mr. Uluso so erroneously states in his article. Their so boastfully advertised Ramadan offensive ended up in total failure by the hands of TFG soldiers (unpaid then) backed by AMISOM troops.

Another one of Mr. Uluso’s difficulties is his mixing technocrat-led TFG and TFG Parliament, which is not led by technocrats. Sharif Sakin, as far as I know, has never been a technocrat academically or by real life experience. He never claimed to be one. Nor anyone called him the T–word. The man was a “truck-driver,” who never finished high school! Why blame the technocrats for Sakin and the parliament he runs (both existed pre-technocrats).

Also, Sharif Sakin putting roadblocks on Farmajo’s and cabinet nominations, which did not succeed, was not the fault of technocrats. In fact, such actions by the “Sakin,” of resisting prime minister and cabinet nominations, was a proof of the change which technocrats represented—of which Sharif Sakin, with his old corrupt ways of doing business, would not readily approve. After all, Sharif Sakin had his own candidate for prime minister in mind. When he did not get his way or torpedo the new prime minster, he tried to kick dust with cabinet nominations! This is old news, anyway.

Uluso further writes:

TFG is not a legal political entity at local and international level. It’s roadblock to constructive dialogue among Somalis. The Western Media asserts daily that Somalia has no functioning government since 1991. Yet, it is one of the forces that contribute to the misery and depredation of the Somali people.

On the political legality, locally or internationally, of the TFG, I can only state facts. One, the TFG is the only recognized Somali government by international law. That is why the world deals with the TFG. Organizations like the African Union (AU) would not have sent troops to an illegal entity. TFG may not be an effective political entity (at least not yet), which is different from legal, but it is legal alright!

Two, as for the TFG not being a legal political entity locally (meaning inside Somalia), that is ridiculous to even mention, for obvious reasons.

Finally, Mr. Uluso reveals his true color as a typical fadhi ku dirrir (fighter-in-sitting). He concludes:

Legitimate Somali leaders should assume the responsibility to debate on the future of Somalia. Internal dialogue is key to a change of fortune in Somalia. A compact among Somalis combined with compact between Somalis and the IC is the way forward. The debate over TFG and Draft Constitution is distraction from the real problems of Somalia.  

Well, I say to my brother Mr. Uluso this: brother, if you have any Cojones, like the technocrats, go to Mogadishu and face the Music. What Somalia needs is not an endless debate, as you are calling for. It desperately needs action. It needs people like you to risk everything and stand before the problem, live!

If you are not willing to go to Mogadishu and stare, eyeball to eyeball, the difficulties, then the least you should do is not trade in the stock market of unjustifiable, counterproductive cynicism! That will never help Somalia an iota!