One year ago, the Somali legislature made history by
re-electing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for a second term, marking a
significant milestone for the nation's political landscape. Despite the
challenges and polarization surrounding the recent election, President Mohamud
secured another term in office, becoming the first person in the country's
history to achieve such a feat.
This article provides an objective analysis of
President Mohamud's first anniversary as the Commander-in-Chief and the
President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, focusing on his accomplishments,
the challenges ahead, and areas where he could improve. In this piece, I will
explore several central themes, such as the ongoing battle against Al-Shabaab,
strategies for alleviating the impact of the recent drought, effective
collaboration with federal member states, reforming the security sector, and
managing finances and debt relief, among others.
First, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud inherited a
security situation that was rapidly deteriorating, which his predecessor had
exacerbated. The previous administration not only allowed the terrorist
organization Al-Shabaab to flourish and increase its revenue but also allowed
them to gain control over large swaths of territory. However, since his
election, there has been a renewed effort to combat terrorism. In the past
year, the government, working in collaboration with local militias, has
achieved significant progress in liberating major towns and cities from the
grip of the terrorist group. The approach has been multifaceted, including
military operations and financial sanctions such as closing bank accounts and
disrupting tax collection processes. The government has also penetrated
Al-Shabaab's clandestine network, significantly weakening its power. President
Mohamud's leadership in the fight against terrorism has been impressive,
especially when compared to the efforts of other well-developed nations facing
similar threats.
It is crucial to obliterate Al-Shabab militarily, but
the government has yet to create a forceful stabilization plan for the
villages, cities, and towns that have been liberated from the terror group.
Although the President appointed Dr. Mohamed Abdi Ware, a veteran politician,
as a Special Envoy, more is needed. The government needs a concrete and
aggressive strategy to engage its international partners in establishing a
governance presence in areas that have been under Al-Shabab's rule since 2006.
This involves setting up basic infrastructure, such as police stations,
schools, and healthcare centers. Despite the challenging nature of this work,
it is a vision that well-wishers, donor countries, and international partners
can rally around.
Regarding addressing the effects of the drought,
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud faced a devastating drought and famine that
threatened the lives of many marginalized and vulnerable Somalis upon assuming
office. As one of his first orders of operation, he appointed a Special Envoy
for Drought to galvanize international partners to prevent a famine that could
kill thousands of people displaced by Al-Shabaab and recurrent drought. This appointment
demonstrated his compassion towards the vulnerable population, and it preceded
any political appointments, showing that his priority was the well-being of the
people.
As a former civil society leader and academic who had
never left the country since the collapse of military rule in 1991, President
Mohamud deeply understood the country's priorities and needs. His approach and
intervention prevented the devastating drought from reaching the famine stage,
averting mass mortality, and preventing the situation from becoming
irreversible. Resources were mobilized, and aid organizations and international
partners responded well, demonstrating the effectiveness of the President's
leadership in a time of crisis.
President Hassan has been transparent about his
priorities in the reform of the security sector. Under the previous
administration, political differences were often resolved through
militarization. The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) was used
as a paramilitary force to intimidate, harm, or even kill political opponents,
critics, and innocent civilians. President Mohamud recognized the urgency of
this situation and led the development of a legislative framework that would
regulate and align NISA with international security standards. This was a
crucial step towards ensuring that the agency operates within the confines of
the law and serves the interests of the Somali people. The security sector
reform that President Mohamud initiated aimed to limit the power of NISA and
bring it under control. This would prevent future leaders from abusing their
power by using security forces for their own benefit. The result of these
efforts has been a significant improvement in the public's trust in the
security forces. The agency's operations are now aligned with international
standards, which has helped to prevent human rights abuses from occurring in
the future.
When Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was elected, the
collaboration between the federal government and federal member states was
almost nonexistent. This was because his predecessor used a "my way or
the highway" approach to governance, which created an antagonistic
environment. However, Hassan Sheikh took a different approach and established a
working relationship with most of member states, including those who were
unfriendly or aligned with his predecessor except Puntland. This demonstrates
his commitment to working with people of divergent views, including the
opposition, by creating a middle ground.
It's noteworthy to mention that Hassan Sheikh's campaign
slogan was "Soomaali Heshiis ah, Dunidana Heshiis la ah,"
which loosely translates to "Somalia in harmony and living in harmony with
the world." This highlights Hassan's approach to governance and his
ambition to establish a Somalia that is not isolated from the world but rather
open to investment and security cooperation. Strong institutions will protect
foreign investors, and Somalis can live in peace with their neighbors and the
world. However, this does not mean the absence of conflict, conflicting
priorities, or taking a stand against any domestic and international
aggression.
Regarding the challenges facing Somalia, the
deteriorating situation in Las Anod is unfortunate. While the President's
conciliatory tone and stance against the renewed conflict in the area are
commendable, it is clear that more action is needed. It is a delicate situation
to navigate when the only option available is a peaceful approach. However, it
is crucial to emphasize that Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
are non-negotiable, and separatists' aggression against Somali citizens is
unacceptable. Therefore, a peaceful resolution must be sought while also
ensuring that the rights and safety of Somali citizens are protected.
Another sticking point is managing the unrealistic
demand of Puntland Administration. A few days ago, the Prime Minister delivered
a speech acknowledging the Puntland Administration's hindrance of the debt
relief process. According to the PM, the debtor has made Puntland's
participation a prerequisite for debt relief, which the Prime Minister's
statement inadvertently provided validation to the opposing administration.
Consequently, this regional administration swiftly seized upon the statement as
a political tool. If the Prime Minister's statement holds true, I believe the
federal government should confront the debtor on two fronts.
Firstly, it is the responsibility of the national
government to engage in international agreements, including debt relief and
securing new loans. International institutions such as the World Bank or IMF
should not require the involvement of local governors or regional tribal
representatives in such agreements. Therefore, this requirement or request must
be countered with different and more legitimate arguments. Somalia has a
legitimate government, and the signing of foreign treaties is the role of the
federal government.
Secondly, despite Somaliland being part of Somalia, it
has never been involved in the debt relief process since its inception. If the
debtor did not demand Somaliland's participation in this process, then making
the participation of the antagonist administration a requirement is not only an
act of sabotage at worst, but also contradictory and indicative of double
standards.
The demand from Puntland is evident, as the local
administration asserts their entitlement to the Prime Minister position and
other preferential treatment. While Puntland has previously made similar
demands, it is vital to approach the situation diplomatically while
disregarding unrealistic expectations and requests. It is essential to note
that the role of the Prime Minister is not reserved for a particular
constituency. The current Prime Minister brings more value to the table than
someone from another region due to his deep connections, presence, and rapport
in the region. Additionally, his humble background and collaborative approach
with the President make him an invaluable asset to the government. These
qualities are essential in establishing a strong foundation for the government
and stabilizing a country that has not experienced peace, governance, and the rule
of law for a prolonged period. Therefore, the main priority for the current
administration should be to combat Al-Shabaab in Southern Somalia and work
towards stabilizing the regions in the south.
Conversely, it is critical for the current
administration to appoint competent and loyal individuals to key positions,
such as cabinets, ambassadors, and Ministerial Directors. While loyalty is
important, it should not be the sole determining factor for appointments. Both
the President and the Prime Minister have the power to appoint individuals who
are both loyal and competent. However, loyalty alone should not be the sole
criterion for appointment. It is essential that the appointee has the necessary
skills, education, and experience to manage, design, and deliver in accordance
with the President and Prime Minister's vision. Therefore, there should not be
a trade-off between loyalty and competence when making appointments. If loyalty
is valued above all else, there is a risk that the President and Prime Minister
will be surrounded by sycophants who could lead the government to disaster.
The President must urgently address two significant
challenges that have not received much attention. The first challenge is the
issue of state leaders behaving like a mafia. Federalism was implemented to
promote local administration, allowing states and local authorities to elect
their representatives and implement policies, decentralizing power from the
central government. However, in Somalia, state presidents have unchecked authority,
impeding the state-building process by holding their constituencies hostage and
preventing the election of mayors, police commissioners, and school board
members. In some cases, they even hinder efforts to liberate territories from
Al-Shabab, citing potential vulnerability. They argue that since the country is
disconnected and Al-Shabab surrounds their local administration, it acts as a
fence that protects them from rival groups who may overthrow them. This poses a
significant threat that requires urgent attention. Another challenge that the
current administration must address is "Al-Shabab-ism" - the unarmed
forces that promote the toxic ideology of the terrorist organization and
support their activities, determined to indoctrinate the masses with false and
distorted teachings.
In conclusion, President Mohamud stands out from his
contemporaries not only for his historic achievements, but also for his
inclusive and conciliatory approach to governance. He has consistently worked
to bring diverse voices to the table and foster collaboration and unity,
earning him respect and admiration both within and outside his circle. His
ability to unite people of different backgrounds and perspectives is unmatched
in the country's recent history, and his accomplishments have been widely
recognized both nationally and internationally. During his first year in
office, notable achievements have been made in the fight against terrorism,
managing finances and debt relief, reforming the security sector, and
mitigating the impact of the recent drought. However, challenges remain,
including the need to create a stabilization plan for the areas liberated from
Al-Shabaab, liberating the remaining territories from Al Shabab, implementing a
comprehensive drought prevention plan, and appointing competent candidates to
key roles among others. Despite these challenges, President Mohamud has
demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in navigating the complex political
and economic landscape of Somalia. With continued support from both the
domestic and international community, he is poised to achieve even greater
success in the years ahead.
Dekow Diriye Sagaar
Twitter @diriye100