JAMAL THE CAMEL‎‎

By Ibrahim Adam Ghalib, Borama

My topic today looks funny but it is carrying attractive meaning to the readers. Jamal is an Arabic word and Camel is English. It is the state of Somaliland today. It is neither Arabic nor English and here are my excerpts. Somaliland was born out of the people’s desire when the central government of Somalia disintegrated. There was no strategic plan. Quick decisions and thinking were needed at that time before things get out of hand. When you do not know where to go any road will do. The civic societies of Somaliland convened in Burao and immediately late Abdurrahman Ahmed Ali was declared president. During his presidency there were ups and downs. This was hectic period and the president’s car was even seized once in the street by mobs. The trends and challenges during this difficult time were great. We have to appreciate that his good offices lead the country to assume the reconciliation process once again in Borama 1993.

After weeks and months of negotiations late Mohamed Ibrahim Igal was elected president of Somaliland by the guuti in Borama. His governments Passed the difficult times of that period. In 1997 late IGAL was re-elected for another term and a new constitution was adopted. In his next term the economy of the country deteriorated when the livestock export to Saudi Arabia and other countries was banned. Political and economical crisis erupted all over Somaliland. This was the most difficult time for late Igal’s presidency. People were calling for his resignation; others were calling for a clan elder’s conference. At that time the president was not in good health although not known to the public, and when his condition deteriorated he was flown to South Africa for treatment. President IGAL (Ahn) died in South Africa. President Dahir Rayale Kahin who was the vice president at that time was sworn in for president in 2002. When president Rayale took office the people supported and stood behind him with high expectations for change. Once he was asked if he prefers and extension for his presidency and he replied that he wants to compete democratic election and the people’s mandate. It is true that during his 1 st term as president the election of the councils were conducted. Then the election of the president soon followed. 3 parties contested for the president and president Rayale won by a narrow margin. The people elected him with applause. There was confusion at the beginning of the results when it was challenged by the candidate of Kulmiye. This was soon solved and he was declared the winner with the trust and mandate of the people.

He took office expecting political, economical and social reforms. From here started his bad days. The reasonable cabinet he promised did not materialize; in stead he appointed 37 ministers and Asst. Ministers. His government did not scrutinize the local councils to meet the criteria they were elected and instead his government supported the unpopular mayors. Corruption is on the increase. The councils did not meet the purpose the election were done. The government is to blame for this. Meager resources of the councils are spent not for development but for individual personal needs. The government paralyzed the authority of the audit dept. Public services is widely neglected and recruitment s are on nepotism and tribal based.

On the other side there are unpopular extra ordinary ministers in the cabinet who do not want a chance of success for this country and fulfilling hidden agendas. The government distanced itself from the opposition parties. The relations soared and the parties are seen as enemies. The government waged a war against them and get away with wrong decisions. The parliamentary election was a joke. There was high vote rigging. No independent local and international observers to monitor the fairness of the election. Government money was widely spent on all popular candidates of the opposition parties not win seats. Especially no election was held in Zeylac and Lughaya. The people who have done this were not even reprimanded. They have not even done the master plan of the government instead they upgraded the candidates of their clan (opposition). This is laughter.

Yet again the government started to discredit the parliament. The term of the guurti house is extended 4 years using the judiciary as a legal tool .in order to offset the opposition majority in parliament. The budget of the country was passed giving the government the benefit of the doubt and was mostly spent in the ministries and very small amount reached the other regions.

Hungry police stormed the parliament. Their token allowances were misappropriated and as result of this the minister of interior was sacked. Unfortunately this was known for a long time and nothing has been done in time. How many years they will work on empty stomach. The warning bell is ringing and it is just the beginning.

It is high time for president Rayale and his government to take corrective measures. A good working relationship with the parliament, the parties, the guurti house and the public trust is needed. The governments who do not communicate or fail to read the politics of its people correctly contrast with major, sometimes irreversible problems. Establishing public trust is basic for the success of any government mission. Without respect, communication channels are strained opening Door for mistrust and miss perceptions.

I am honestly advising the president to take and re-evaluate his decisions and always seek support of all political forces of the country. The decision of the extension of guurti house should be cancelled. It is critically important to carry out political, economical and social reforms immediately, then and only then we can overcome the many challenges facing this country.

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