Why is it so difficult for Somalis to form a state? Is it really rocket science? I know Qabiil causes us to mistrust each other, but is it really that difficult to build a state and to put in place balances and checks in order to prevent nepotism and transgressions?
We don’t have an Islamic system and at the same time we claim that we are following the western democratic form of system. But are we really? It feels like we are neither here or there. That our current system is qabiil politics in the guise of democracy . If we put aside our differences, and came with a firm decision to build our country and unite as a people couldn’t we have a bigger vision? Instead of looking inwards and always thinking about my clan or my region against others we would have a lofty dream and become a dignified people.
Some ideas to put this in place, and if you have any ideas or improvements necessary to build a function state then feel free to add your thoughts.
1) Abolition of the 4.5 government. The establishment of political parties, with written agendas and visions for Somalis as a whole. It may be based on qabiil in the beginning, but in quick time most parties will realise that they have to work together with other qabiils in order to get a clear chance of winning presidential elections. We would see a natural evolution of politics being driven based by national and Islamic brotherhood.
2) 1 man 1 vote throughout the country. From Zeila to to Ras Kamboni. The people will realise that they have a say in who runs their country, doesn’t matter what your tribe is or where you’re from in Somalia. You have elected your president and government. Another benefit is that those elected will enact the will of the people since they need their votes in the future to stay in power. As Mungaab said recently as a wake up call to the people ,”why are those in power going to do anything for the shacab when we aren’t even elected by them”. We need to make the shacabs voice count and our politicians accountable !
3) The abolishment of all federal states. Instead replacing them with local governors and local maamuls. No big regional states. For example, splitting Somaliland into three Awdal, Togdheer, Waqooyi Bari, Puntland into two Bari iyo nugaal. Galmudg into two Galguduud iyo Mudug,Hirshabelle into Hiraan and Shabelle Dhexe separately ,Jubbaland into two Jubba dhexe iyo Jubba hoose. Let each smaller region elect their own governor and local councils with local elections who govern their own local affairs but not national or foreign policies. Also a must is placing SNA army in every corner of Somalia who aren’t clan affiliated but a mix of all clans loyal to the Somali state and not regional states or tribes.
3) Anti corruption force. Corruption is the biggest problem in Somali governance and politics. It is a must we build a neutral and transparent anti corruption and anti nepotism unit. Every penny that enters the government coffers and every expenditure should be accounted for. Also every position in government should be given on merit, looking at experience and education, not clan or family ties. And finally any government official with dual citizenship, found to embezzle funds/take bribes or has been found to have foreign funding should be banned from having any governmental position.
4) National Army free of politics and whose sole aim is the protection of the State! Just look at Turkey, Egypt or many states throughout history. The military should become the protectors of the state, and not regions or clans.
5) Mass reeducation. We have lived for the past 40+ years viewing each other as enemies. Our parents generation and our generation have only been ingrained with ‘ My qabiil is the only one I trust, Qabiil X or Y is our enemy, our regional state is the best we don’t need a Somali state.’
All school books throughout the country should reeducate Somalis about statehood, unity and brotherhood. There should be a mass media drive, and workshops and conferences held throughout the country. Then hopefully the next generation will carry the torch and dream of building and preserving a home for the Somali people.
We don’t have an Islamic system and at the same time we claim that we are following the western democratic form of system. But are we really? It feels like we are neither here or there. That our current system is qabiil politics in the guise of democracy . If we put aside our differences, and came with a firm decision to build our country and unite as a people couldn’t we have a bigger vision? Instead of looking inwards and always thinking about my clan or my region against others we would have a lofty dream and become a dignified people.
Some ideas to put this in place, and if you have any ideas or improvements necessary to build a function state then feel free to add your thoughts.
1) Abolition of the 4.5 government. The establishment of political parties, with written agendas and visions for Somalis as a whole. It may be based on qabiil in the beginning, but in quick time most parties will realise that they have to work together with other qabiils in order to get a clear chance of winning presidential elections. We would see a natural evolution of politics being driven based by national and Islamic brotherhood.
2) 1 man 1 vote throughout the country. From Zeila to to Ras Kamboni. The people will realise that they have a say in who runs their country, doesn’t matter what your tribe is or where you’re from in Somalia. You have elected your president and government. Another benefit is that those elected will enact the will of the people since they need their votes in the future to stay in power. As Mungaab said recently as a wake up call to the people ,”why are those in power going to do anything for the shacab when we aren’t even elected by them”. We need to make the shacabs voice count and our politicians accountable !
3) The abolishment of all federal states. Instead replacing them with local governors and local maamuls. No big regional states. For example, splitting Somaliland into three Awdal, Togdheer, Waqooyi Bari, Puntland into two Bari iyo nugaal. Galmudg into two Galguduud iyo Mudug,Hirshabelle into Hiraan and Shabelle Dhexe separately ,Jubbaland into two Jubba dhexe iyo Jubba hoose. Let each smaller region elect their own governor and local councils with local elections who govern their own local affairs but not national or foreign policies. Also a must is placing SNA army in every corner of Somalia who aren’t clan affiliated but a mix of all clans loyal to the Somali state and not regional states or tribes.
3) Anti corruption force. Corruption is the biggest problem in Somali governance and politics. It is a must we build a neutral and transparent anti corruption and anti nepotism unit. Every penny that enters the government coffers and every expenditure should be accounted for. Also every position in government should be given on merit, looking at experience and education, not clan or family ties. And finally any government official with dual citizenship, found to embezzle funds/take bribes or has been found to have foreign funding should be banned from having any governmental position.
4) National Army free of politics and whose sole aim is the protection of the State! Just look at Turkey, Egypt or many states throughout history. The military should become the protectors of the state, and not regions or clans.
5) Mass reeducation. We have lived for the past 40+ years viewing each other as enemies. Our parents generation and our generation have only been ingrained with ‘ My qabiil is the only one I trust, Qabiil X or Y is our enemy, our regional state is the best we don’t need a Somali state.’
All school books throughout the country should reeducate Somalis about statehood, unity and brotherhood. There should be a mass media drive, and workshops and conferences held throughout the country. Then hopefully the next generation will carry the torch and dream of building and preserving a home for the Somali people.
