Seven years forward, in 2017, we are on
the verge of electing a new leader to take the helm to lead a nation that has
been transformed with visible economic development, vibrant private business
and stronger national institutions.
National annual budget has grown from
meager $40 million to whopping $366 million. Civil servants’ salary tripled in
some instance with room to grow, making some employees plan for their future
careers in government agencies.
Countless expatriates came back to the
country where the members of Diaspora flooded in to the main cities to live,
work and start business, halting the imbalance brain drain and injecting needed
skills in the labor market while introducing new cultural norms to society.
You could feel the changes in the wind.
But also, sadly, youth unemployment, corruption, and tribalism overshadowed any
progress made during this time.
The new government struggled to deal
with youth unemployment, mainly because of inadequate skills to compete in the
emerging markets of technology, booming financial sectors and number of factors
looking for skilled labor. Part of the problem is under-education and lack of
national vision to invest the future generations.
The Government has also miserably failed
to safe guard the national resources, where some kitchen cabinet members and
their allies enriched themselves, looting the country openly and without
challenges.
In the meantime, a deadly blinding tribalism swept the landscape, dividing
people to see their common interest and disappointingly became part of the
daily life. This is the darkest spot for the legacy of the outgoing
administration.
To be successful in politics, those
that run the presidential palace have mistakenly thought bringing back the old
mantra of divide and rule would enhance their power. Unfortunately this has
destroyed the fabric that binds the nation together. Recovering from it would
take time and resilience.
The extreme critics of the current
administration more often blame President Siilaanyo and his henchmen about the
decline of national cohesion, but in reality other leaders addicted to
government handout, personal interest based on what can I gain today
contributed to the demise of weakening the strong nationalism that we have come
to depend on the trying times.
In addition, Somaliland is suffering
from severe drought caused by the unpredictable climate changes. The rural
population as well as the livestock, which is the backbone of the economy, is
on the edge of famine. No one should be blamed for this natural disaster but
the lack of preparation to commit resources and to strengthen relevant
government agencies such as Disaster and Emergency Agency, Ministry of
Environment & Rural Development and others ahead of time made the situation
even more desperate.
Never the less, Somalilanders usually
come together to salvage what they can when they are in the brink of disaster,
manmade, natural or otherwise. But the effect
of this frequently occurring drought have really touched or damaged the
livelihood of millions this time.
This contradicting story of modest
progress and bleak setbacks is actually happening in Somaliland which is the
reality on the ground. However, most people are still positive and hopeful about
the future of the country. They are only confused by the mixed messaging coming
from the competing parties in this transitional period before a new president
is elected.
Instead of presenting
solid plans to deal with the hardship and reassuring the public about their
ability to solve problems, some candidates have resorted to name calling,
divisive language and clan tactics that have damaged their credibility.
So the question
electors are juggling with is; who
will be the next leader among the three candidates that will have a steady hand
to navigate the nation from the challenges facing Somaliland? Who has the
courage to stand up external forces and internal enemies of the state? Who is
the right person for this job at this time?
Should people elect someone based on
his clan and region of origin or based on his ideology and leadership
skills?
In reality society elects its own
members. For good or bad, that person is the reflection of that society. Can
Somaliland be honest about its clannish, destructive behavior that will lead
them to nowhere?
The election of Siilaanyo may have been
a rare moment for Somaliland to show that united they can make a difference and
they have made some progress. It is not however the only chance for
Somalilanders to break from this personal clan politics and pity personal
attack.
They do have the power, if they choose
to exercise, to elect the least disruptive leader from the trio based on the
economic development, based on their believes of Somaliland and how to defend
it from its enemies, internal or external, and based on strongest
leadership with principles that don’t change with the mood of the time.
No wish-washy power hungry, selfish
politicians but rather a leadership that has invested blood and sweat in
Somaliland from the beginning up to now.
Choose wisely!
Magan Ibrahim,
