August election marred by corruption fears
By
Ismail D. Osman
As the term of Somalia’s
Transitional Federal Government comes to an end this August, 2012, there is
hope that the new political dispensation will bring positive outcomes. It will
be a new milestone if the transition to embrace the creation of a quality
parliament that will elect a respectable speaker and president is achieved.
This will send a strong signal that we are finally heading in the right
direction and will mark a new chapter for the return of Somalia as a respected
partner in the international community. However, the task ahead will demand a
new direction with strong leadership and vision.
The causes of political instability in Somalia are many but
the lack of leadership is one of the main reasons for the chaos and violence. Somalia
needs a leadership with vision that can bring civility, transparency,
accountability and inclusiveness in the Somali political process. Given that there are many contenders for the
top job in Somalia, the question many Somalis are asking is “Who is the right person
to lead Somalia?”
The choices before Somalis, in this regard, are two and
their differences are easy to recognize:
First, we can hopelessly continue on the perilous political
road to nowhere that the nation has been on since the fall of the central
government in 1991, this is a dead-end road.
Secondly, now there is a huge opportunity to change the gear
by bringing young leaders of great integrity and quality into the Somali
political process. These leaders must not be controversial or divisive and must
be respected by the public.
These two choices are clear. We can’t afford to continue on
lawlessness at this juncture. The time has come to restore the dignity of the
Somali people and a space must be created for effective leadership that can
unite the country. However, the current environment in Mogadishu would not
allow good leaders to emerge from the ongoing political process which is in the
hands of the three top TFG leaders. It is certainly clear the way the process
is set up at this moment will not bring any political change. The reason is
evident; the elders are in the hands of the TFG leaders, no new MPs will be
approved from their respective clans without their blessing which will lead to
a bogus election. Part of the problem lies in an excessively hierarchical
political tradition that treats a supine loyalty as the ultimate virtue. Unsurprisingly, in this environment, there is
a latent hostility to newcomers.
The Somali people
should take this process very seriously as there is a possibility to bring an
end to the insecurity and to build a peaceful society.
In order to bring real changes, two things must happen:
The process must be kept away from the meddling of the TFG
leaders and managed by an independent technical team and international
observers;
Access should be given to qualified individuals who have
been blocked from entering the process;
The international community must not endorse an obviously
eschewed, corrupt process. Spending tax payer money on this sham process will
lead to further cynicism towards international development and will strengthen
radicalism. In addition, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and
Somali troops are dying to stabilize Somalia. Therefore, their endeavor should
not be allowed to fail. If the process to end the transition fails to deliver
new changes, it will be a political disaster for the UN Political Office for
Somalia, USA, EU, Arab League, AMISOM and Intergovernmental Authority on
Government. It will be seen as a victory for Al-Shabab, pirates and the
spoilers of peace namely the PM, President and the deposed speaker. It is an honor for a man to cease from strife:
but every fool will be meddling and will pay hefty consequences.
Given Somalia’s political make-up, the absence of young
politicians on the front benches is simply unacceptable. The seeds of cynicism
are thus slowly sown. Unlike the private sector which has evolved considerably,
the political culture shows little sign of embracing necessary changes. This
will require strong will and courage from the Somali people to realize the
incredible power that lies in the voices of the new parliament when selected
into the long awaited seats. The Somali people have the right to select whom
they want and not whom they fear or who is most corrupt, we must not be for
SALE as usual, it’s time to support the national interest and not the clan
interest.
The new dawn that is about to rise should come with hope to
inspire the millions of Somalis that are scattered around the globe. We should
invite the sons and daughters of Somalia back to the motherland with a new
political horizon that is dynamic, inspirational, hopeful and most of all free
and fair for all to choose.
Politically, Somalia has many hopefuls but there is lack of
honest and legitimate leadership. Also, lack of accountability and the
misplacement of funds are proving to be reasons enough to demand a transparent
and fair government that acts in the interest of the Somali people.
Not only should Somalis take advantage of the current
momentum, we as a nation should also be aware of what we are entitled to as a people
under a new government.
For years the fundamental rights of the Somali people have
been ignored due to wars, strife and numerous incompetent, corrupt leaders.
We now need new, competent and talented young leaders in key
positions in the next government.
Ismail D. Osman is a political analyst and chairman of the Somali National
Council based in the United
States osmando@gmail.com
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