The behavior of President
Hassan Sh. Mohamud following his election on May of 2022 has raised
concerns and questions about his motives and his rationale as he turned
the country into a family affair and a one man show.
The current
state of Somalia is undeniably troubling, as the country grapples with a
dysfunctional cabinet, an ineffectiveparliament, and a president who
exudes an air of unwarranted confidence. These internal issues have
significantly hindered any substantial progress in combating the menace
of Al-Shabab, leaving the nation in a seemingly perpetual cycle of
insecurity and instability. Despite initial hopes for positive change,
it appears that the future of Somalia under the current administration
holds little promise. The lack of vision and a dictatorial attitude of
the president has resulted in a disarrayed approach to addressing the
country's pressing challenges. This disarray has further weakened the
nation's ability to effectively tackle the ever-present threat of
Al-Shabab, allowing the extremist group to continue wreaking havoc on
the lives of innocent Somali citizens.
Fighting terrorism
requires strategies that are tailored to combatting the threats of
Al-Shabab, their ideology, exposing their mafia tactics and dismantling
their financial network. It also requires trust-building in the society,
engaging effectively the federal member states, and creating a
favorable environment that could enhance our military morale and promote
unity.
It is troubling to witness the deterioration of
Somalia's political landscape, as hopes for stability and progress are
overshadowed by the persisting dysfunction and lack of leadership.
Reports
of plans to postpone elections, with the president making unilateral
decisions and pushing for a transition from a parliamentary system to a
presidential system, have sparked outrage among stakeholders and
citizens alike. This sudden shift in the political landscape without
proper consultation and consensus-building is deeply troubling. The
promise of implementing a one person, one vote system within two years,
while commendable in theory, lacks the necessary planning and groundwork
to ensure its successful execution.
Rushing to such a
significant electoral reform without engaging with key stakeholders and
conducting thorough preparations raises doubts about the government's
commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and democratic principles. The
lack of consultation not only undermines the credibility of the upcoming
elections but also erodes the trust of the Somali people in their
leadership.
Furthermore, the president’s insistence on Somalia
having onlytwo political parties and implementing a joint ticket system,
with a president and a vice president running together without proper
consultation and constitutional groundwork raises serious concerns about
the democratic process in Somalia. Such a decision, made unilaterally
without engaging with stakeholders, undermines the principles of
political pluralism, diversity of ideas, and fair representation. While
it is commendable to limit the number of political parties in the
country, but it must be kept in mind the formation of political parties
should be a result of a bottom-up approach, allowing for the
participation of various groups and individuals with diverse
perspectives and interests. Imposing a limitation on the number of
parties and enforcing a joint ticket system unilaterally restricts the
political landscape and stifles the democratic process. It denies
citizens the opportunity to support a wider range of candidates and
hampers the potential for a healthy competition of ideas and policies.
The
political agendas pushed by the president is disregarding power-sharing
arrangements that was key to the formation of the Somali Federal
Government. Power-sharing mechanisms are often crucial in Somalia with
complex political landscapes, it guarantees political stability and
mitigates tensions. The president needs to remind himself that Somalia
has a adopted a federal system with the constitution guaranteeing strong
power to the federal member states. Acting as a dictator and someone
who knows everything is an indication that his vision for Somalia is
narrow minded and is a recipe for a complete failure.
In his
speech on Friday after the prayer, the president commended the
parliament to endorse his political agendas and made clear that the
parliamentary vote will not be done in secret ballot. This is seen as a
threat and undermines the principles of separation of powers and checks
and balances. His policies will lead to a concentration of power in his
hands, erode democratic norms, and potentially exacerbate existing
political tensions. Such actions risk alienating the entire public and
may even result in political and social unrest. To avoid these dangers,
it is important for the president to adhere to established
constitutional processes, engage in open and inclusive discussions with
all political actors, and respect the role of parliament in shaping the
political structure. This will help foster trust, promote political
stability, and ensure that decisions are made collectively, with the
interests and aspirations of the Somali people at the forefront. An
inclusive and participatory approach will enable the government to
address concerns, build consensus, and create a political structure that
reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of Somalia's population. It
is through dialogue, compromise, and respect for democratic principles
that Somalia can achieve a sustainable and inclusive political system.
In conclusion, the president needs to stop using the war on terror as a façade for establishing a dictatorial regime.
Sheiknor Abukar Qasim
Email:
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