by Mohamed Awaleh
Saturday, November 02, 2013
There are few things that the USN (the Djiboutian coalition parties) must do first - in order - to win the hearts and the minds of the entire Djiboutian population; particularly, the youths, the Men and Women in Uniforms (the Police, Gendarmerie and Military) and the business community, of course.
Not to mention the neighboring countries and the international communities, who have a vested interest in Djibouti and the region in general!
There’s no secret, however; they are many Djiboutians and foreign governments (the Western and the neighboring countries), who are skeptical about the USN leadership at this point.
Though, they wondered! What would happen if a USN dominated government comes to power (Outnumbered the ruling IOG government UMP); especially, if the west pressure the President of Ismail Omar Guelleh to accept the result of the last February 2013, parliamentary election, which was overwhelmingly won by the USN. That’s mean they don’t trust the USN – that’s why they are giving them lip-service.
The question that the international community and Djiboutian citizens is been asking, is - how long they would stay unified under the present circumstances? Would they be feuding among each other; once they are in power, and would they eventually sink the boat? Would they become worse than the current regime in terms of rule of Law?
That’s the main debate among the Djiboutian citizens and; the worrisome of the foreign governments. And these are legitimate questions and the USN must address them; instead of dismissing them with empty political rhetoric; because at the present time, the USN does not appear to have a clear short and long term policies (Political, Social, economic, Foreign policies…etc.). If they do – then - they have a poor way of selling them.
The USN must assured to their neighbors and the International community that they are professional, experienced and ready to govern the Republic of Djibouti with the rule of Law and maintain the peace and stability in the country and the regions.
They need to put together a political structure that would be able to better control with any reckless competition that might arose among the personalities of the Leadership of the different political parties (UAD, MRD, UDJ, RADD, CDU, ARD and Model) for the future.
And it’s our belief that the USN must modernizes itself and, build democratic institutions first, before demanding one from the autocratic government of Ismail Omar Guelleh. Otherwise, it would certainly make the current USN marriage volatile and, definitely will give ammunition to Mr. Guelleh’s regime to neutralize them.
The country needs to be saved from collapsing – just like Somalia - there’s no doubt that, the President Ismail Omar Guelleh’s policies are the recipes for disaster if the coalition of the Oppositions parties, who unified under the umbrella of USN, won’t get their house in order as quickly as possible.
Here are few points that the USN needs to be implemented as soon as possible:
1) Create a by-law/constitution for USN as a whole that would further unify them, balance the power of the political parties, clearly defined their responsibilities of their Leaders and, provide the USN members a road map for Justice. (And each member should only hold one committee at the time; in other word, no member should hold at two committees at the same time, period)!
2) create a political office or central governing body constitute with the representatives of each President of the coalition’s parties (UAD, MRD, UDJ, RADD, CDU, ARD and Model). These Leaders must abide and follow the by-Law. But, they must set the party (USN) policies and agenda.
3) Create an executive branch; constitute with one national elected political leader (Future USN Party Leader) - elected by the USN paying dues members, residing inside and outside of the country for 5 years. This Leader would choose his own shadow government that would effectively challenge the current government of Djibouti on national affairs. (They must come up an economic, defense, Foreign, Health strategies; in order to defeat the President Ismail O. Guelleh or any of his cronies that may wish to continue looting the country). If the USN Leader genuinely lose the election, he/she must resigned his/her Leadership post; and give someone else the chance to take the torch of light for freedom and democracy.
4) Create an independent jurist that oversee/protect the by-law and settle the disputes among the leaderships and USN members.
5) Create an independent USN electoral commission that abides the by-Law. This commission will oversee the USN primary and Leadership elections.
6) Create a caucus committee, constitute with the currently USN elected Members of Parliament (MP) – National Assembly - for last election, February 2013.
7) Create membership cards so that USN members could purchase them for fund raising purpose. The local Djiboutian members must each pay FD 500 Djiboutian currency; and the Djiboutian Diasporas must each pay $50 U.S dollar a month. You want a change! It cost money and blood! Democracy isn’t cheap!
8) Create an independent auditor within the USN organization – that would oversee and make sure that hard-earn dollars of the members being wisely spent.
9) Create an independent public relation department that counter the government propaganda, maintain a good image to the USN Party throughout the world. And provide honest and accurate information to the Djiboutian citizens. And this PR department must be part of the USN-TV currently is the only entity that disseminating the News to the Djiboutians and the Diasporas; since the Djiboutian government do not allow the opposition to the public TV and Radio.