Hiiraan Online

by Abdihabib Yasin Warsame
Wednesday, July 24, 2013

While I intend to address the answer of this question later in this article, let me first bring your particular attention to those who despite the popularity of the democratization process, refused from the outset to support the process and who have always wished the process to fail.

In the fairness and the defense of these groups though, the democratization process has in no way moved in the direction hoped for by the most progressive Puntlanders who supported the process with enthusiasm tone despite its flows and apparent mistakes made by President Farole and his team.

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In light of the most recent event, there can be couple of possible explanations as to what went wrong, but Jim Rohn’s classic quotation elaborated eloquently when he said the following, “Failure is not a single, cataclysmic event. You don't fail overnight. Instead, failure is a few errors in judgment, repeated every day”. Although I have tremendous respect for President Farole and I genuinely believe he has done more good than harm during his tenure in Puntland, I believe he failed up to the test, and committed gross mismanagement when he appointed the Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission

The other inconceivable error, made by Farole administration was the decision to entice the members of parliament, and the cabinet to join horseed political party. However what was more repulsive is when both these groups fall for this scam with the Speaker and senior Cabinet members standing side by side with President Farole and announced their membership with Horseed party with big smile on their faces.

For the lack of finding a better word, I thought that was a primitive, unsophisticated, irrational, and by far the worst political momentous committed a coherent mind. Personally, it is by no means clear the merits and the political relevance of involving Cabinet and parliament in the business of political parties, especially when these groups expected to be impartial about the multiparty political process. Nonetheless, this speaks volumes about the leadership style of President Farole, as well as the ineptitude of his senior cabinet who failed to channel sound policy choices to their superior.

I offer a second and medium political approach alternative to the 66 members.

While am under no illusion about the importance and complexity of the situation, it would be quite rational in order Puntland to rise beyond the current mayhem and unleash its potential as a state, the hopes and aspirations of the public must be put first, and not individuals who aspire to held leadership positions in order to impress their pockets and look after themselves rather than the public good.

New Blueprint:

I cannot think of a more vital option than forming an inclusive coalition government, and a new framework, that allows opposition groups to be included in a new cabinet, while the current Farole administration is continuing one more year in order to complete the democratization process. By the way when I say “opposition groups” am not implying to recognize those who are seeking to sabotage the process, and who devoted most of their energies to play zero sum politics and typically their influence is limited. In fact, these types of groups qualify to be called spoilers. The opposition groups that am implying are those who have a direct link with the main populace and who also demonstrated a track-record of leadership, and their opposing views were authenticated. But before this marriage becomes binding the following conditions must be in accordance with the contract:

The first measure, is to dismantle the Electoral Commission, and immediately reconstruct an independent electoral commission whose its members contain, civil society groups, political party groups, and may be, one member in the parliament, that way the process will be representative and free from favoritism and hearsay.

The second condition, members of parliament must break up publicly foreswear their  association with Horseed party, and in fact ask for forgiveness to their constituency in order to restore their long gone reliability

The Third condition, multiparty registration process must resume and once again should be open for all, that way, voters will get more choices, broader representation. Also, now that the process is more transparence, the competition will be stiffer, more democratic, and above all, multiparty groups will guard the democratization process because they own the process.

If these measures are being taking responsibly, what happens next could sketch a broader outline strategy that could forever yield lasting fruits for Puntland.

I would personally reject the notion that going back to the 66 Members of Parliament, and, will magically yield new result, other than public discontent from within; I’m also in no way in agreement with the notion that a temporary measure will bring a permanent solution. And I may add that, if the issue it’s not pact precisely today, the chilling effect will be solving the same problems at some point down road.

I cannot put enough emphasis the urgency need of Puntland State to be transitioning from a tribal political system controlled by few individuals and their kinfolk, to a pluralistic political system based on political parties. I would also stress the timing factor, and willingness of the international donors who have shown unwavering support to the democratization process, despite its weakness and unwillingness support from its own politicians. I would also strongly suggest politicians retreat from crossing red-lines, by promoting a political violence that aims to undermine the rule of law.

Lastly but not the least the nation calls for unity and in the words of T. H. White. “The Destiny of Man is to unite, not to divide. If you keep on dividing you end up as a collection of monkeys throwing nuts at each other out of separate trees.”