How the people in Somali Regional State’s attitude change by the current administration transformed their State

By – Abdullahi Garille
Monday August 31, 2026

After visiting Somali Regional State recently, if you would ask me one question; Garille, what stood out for you in the achievements of the current administration in Somali Regional State led by President Mustafe Mohamed Omar? I will simply answer this question with three words “people’s attitude change.”

For me, one of the greatest achievements of any successful government in the world is not simply building bridges, roads, hospitals or schools, although these are very important – to me, it is helping its people develop attitudes that support peace, unity, progress, and shared responsibility. Of course, bridges, roads, hospitals, schools and all development projects matter, because they are things people can see and use. However, it is the public attitudes that can either drive sustainable development forward or create major barriers to its progress. History shows that people often experience rapid transformation when their governments successfully encourage positive change in public behavior and mindset, something President Mustafe’s administration perfected in Somali Regional State.

Just as investment and natural resources are important so is the attitude of the people. The people’s attitude toward any system of government is critically important because it directly determines government’s ability to effectively perform its duties. Knowing this, the administration focused on public behavior and mindset at the early stages of its formation. The administration promoted well-thought strategies to achieve change in people’s attitude through public campaigns, leadership, and effective two-way communication with the public, which created an environment where progress became possible. Responding to the administration’s efforts in practicing transparency, the people in Somali Regional State started maintaining and safeguarding the peace and the stability in their State. They began to value the cooperation with the government and rejected all forms of anti-peace elements, which contributed significantly to the administration’s strategic plan and policy priorities aimed at improving the economic growth, public infrastructure, and security in Somali Regional State.

Perhaps, one of the most well-remembered of the many remarks by President Mustafe; “dadka waa la maamuli karaa iyagoo aan la ciqaabin,” which translates in English as “people can be administrated without physical coercion,” laid the groundwork for the administration’s successful development of its people’s attitude change. One can simply say this was the turning point by indicating how the president’s remark fostered trust between the people in Somali Regional State and the government institutions, which I believe created the current change in Somali Regional State. When people believe that the institutions of the government are working for them and not against them, and the public resources are used responsibly - they are more willing to cooperate, pay taxes, follow regulations, and participate In civic life. One can definitely argue that this administration’s strong institutions reinforce the positive attitudes of the people in Somali Regional State, and the positive attitudes of the people strengthen the administration’s institutions in return.

After meeting with several high-ranking government officials in Jigjiga and in Addis Ababa, I got one same message out of each meeting, “the importance of setting a clear vision.” The leadership in Somali Regional State consistently communicates strong message of peace, unity, development, and shared responsibility. Knowing the value of this message, the people in Somali Regional State embraced these goals. We know that strong leadership with clear vision can inspire people to think beyond local tribal divisions and useless ideologies imported from foreign lands through anti-peace elements. The lesson I learnt from these meetings in Jigjiga and in Addis Ababa is that great leaders with sound public policies can always influence behavior of the people and encourage new standards of conduct.

Unlike past administrations in Jigjiga, the current administration decided to rely on institutional frameworks, accountability, and the rule of law rather than physical coercion, or violence. The administration’s policies encourage that the transformation of Somali Regional State to be a partnership between the administration and the people of the State. This administration knows that while it provides leadership, policies, and opportunities, lasting progress only occurs when the people in Somali Regional State embrace values that support development. The administration’s successful change of the people’s attitudes towards peace, unity, development, and shared responsibility created the conditions for the current development in Somali Regional State.