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Abdulkadir M. Abow
Thursday, February 05, 2009
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| New leader: Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, Somalia's new president, is a moderate. Irada Humbatova/Reuters | |
With its turns and twists Somalia’s endless political tag-of-war produced another president outside the country. The new president can accomplish a lot if he takes a moment and reflects some of the political miscalculations made by him within the short period of his political career and his predecessor’s shortcomings. I am sure that he is aware the expectations are very high, almost impossible to achieve all of them. However, if he courageously stands up and leads with vision based on justice he might overcome the obstacles caused the failures and sometimes disastrous end to previous regimes. President Sharif must not only deal firmly and justly with his opponents both inside and outside the country, but also must be able to tell his allies, when need be, that they put the interest of the people ahead of their personal or clan interests.
No doubt Mr. Sharif is the most popular person elected as president of Somalia in recent years. Initially he came to the public arena as a figure who stood up for the victims and defeated the notorious warlords. Soon after the victory of the Islamic Courts over the merciless warlords in Mogadishu, it was evident to the people who observe Somali politics, that power was gently taken out of Sherif’s hands before he was even able to grasp it, and the result was that he was not able to demonstrate his vision to public. At one point, it even became the joke of the day when he cursed Amin Amir, the best Somali political cartoonist, for a cartoon depicting Islamic Courts militia by passing Lower Shabeelle (then under a ruthless warlord ally to IC) and on their way to liberate Kismayo. Sherif’s justification for the move to first go to Kismayo was not convincing and his reaction (cursing cartoonist) to the outcry of the Lower Shabeelle people showed at least how novice he was in the politics.
Now, that Mr. Sharif is the president, and has the backing of many Somalis and international community, he needs to take the challenge and act fast to show his vision of how to reconstitute the war-torn country. People are eagerly listening and watching his next move to nominate his prime minister. His choice of the prime minister and subsequent cabinet will determine how much support he will get. Luckily, his hands are not as tight as other previous presidents or are they? I don’t see why he can not choose someone with impeccable integrity and well respected both inside and outside the country. Eventually, Mr. President you will shoulder the responsibility of your PM and his success will be yours.
Advisors with real professional experience in governing, administration and international relations, who are willing and able to tell you not only what you want to hear, will be a great asset and necessary for you. Your allies’ advise may not always be the best and do not hesitate to let them and the public know the logic behind your policies.
Current hand picked parliamentarians lack the necessary legitimacy needed to effectively govern a state. Your commitment to hold general election within two years is positive. However, in my opinion, one need to build the trust of the people on the government and that could only start from the bottom. Two simultaneous processes, one to reconcile the groups fighting in the cities and municipalities and other to organize fair elections to choose their officials is the best way. Then the process moves upward to the provincial level and after that to the federal level.
In the end keep fighting for the real victims where ever they are, that is what worked for you against the evil warlords, and that is the only thing that will work for you against the hardliners. May Allah show the Somali people how to help themselves.
Abdulkadir M. Abow
Email: [email protected]