Somaliland: The Bihi Presidency At A Crossroads
The Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi has just returned from making the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Whilst in Saudi Arabia, he was met
with and was rightly accorded the protocol of a Head of State. The
social media images of the President aiding his elderly mother around
Mecca and Medina not only highlighted his filial duties, but also,
showed the humane side of a man often termed as stern, stubborn,
unsentimental and strict.
The visit to Saudi Arabia concluded with several meetings with senior
Saudi Arabian government officials and a well organized gathering with
Somaliland community in the Kingdom. There were those among his
supporters and detractors who will mention the lack of meeting with the
Saudi monarch or crown prince, but, since Somaliland doesn't currently
enjoy de-jure recognition, it was felt that instead of the large
ceremonial gathering with the Saudi monarch, a more productive meeting
with Saudi Arabian decision makers would be more of a benefit to
Somaliland.
As for that "infamous" photograph, it was a goodwill gesture on
President Bihi's part used for by the rogues in Mogadishu for infantile
public relations stunt.
So, it was after this remarkable journey to the Hajj and it's
productive diplomatic elements, that President Muse Bihi returned home
to a warm welcome and even a warmer political climate. Because, for all
the diplomatic and personal glow from the Saudi trip, the presidency of
Muse Bihi Abdi is at a crossroads.
The president has returned to the ongoing political stalemate
pertaining to the parliamentary and local council elections. The
president has returned to the ongoing situation with the Caare
insurgency in the mountains of Sanaag. The president has returned to the
howls of indignation from his communities in Somaliland who feel
marginalized or worse, victimized by the central government,
Ceel-Afweine. The president has returned to daily incursion by the
rag-tag militia affiliated with the neighboring Somali state of
Puntland and defections by Somaliland soldiers from the community in and
around Badhan.
President Muse Bihi has often stated the "he doesn't mind criticism,
because he had been in opposition all his life. That he welcomes
constructive criticism and is willing to debate and engage all opponents
through dialogue and discussion". This is all very commendable, but if
one doesn't, much like history, learn from criticism, then what is
point of being open to it?
The advice given to this President from many of his more seasoned
advisers and more importantly from previous Presidents was, "Don't
isolate yourself, beware of the many, many, people who will trade on
your name or position, be a politician, be flexible, be thick skinned,
be strong, but most of all be generous, patient and accommodating".
Now, I am sure, President Muse Bihi has taken aboard most of this
advice, and has acted upon it. However, you still get the sense, that
there are those among his own community, who keep whispering to him, "It
has taken us a long time to reach this office, don't be weak, don't
give in, don't do that, or this, etc". I could be wrong. I am sure the
majority of the Somalilanders who voted for President Muse Bihi in 2017
were not all from his own community, because they voted for a strong
leadership to roll back the malaise and corruption of the previous
administration.
However, if some voted for the President on community basis, well,
after almost two years, not even they bargained for the current
predicaments facing the country.
Don't get me wrong, President Muse Bihi has achieved many laudable
gaols. I am a great supporter of the National Service. "Shaqo Qaran". I
think it is a wonderful programme that will build self-confidence,
self-awareness, knowledge of self, the country and it's people, in our
youth. But, even then this programme has become tainted with nepotism
and corruption.
The President has campaigned to stop corruption, even sacking some
high profile ministers over, alleged, accusation of fraud. The President
has also carried on with the DP World Berbera project, and constituted a
more focused approach on agriculture, education, health, fishing,
commerce and industry, which are starting to show some results.
There have also been several historic diplomatic successes during the
President's term in office, the recent visit to the Republic of Guinea,
comes to mind.
But, where the President, in my opinion, must receive a failing grade
or if we are being generous, "must improve", is domestic political
policy.
One of the most important government agencies in Somaliland, is the
Home ministry. This ministry is in charge of everything within our
borders, from Police, Security, Local regions, etc,etc. It is clear that
the current minister, Mohamed Kahin Ahmed, is not up to the job. The
president remains loyal to his fellow party stalwart, brother-in-arms,
and friend. It is laudable that the President shows loyalty to his
colleagues and friends, but, Somaliland must be above friendships.
If the friendship and loyalty between President Muse Bihi Abdi and
Minister Mohamed Kahin Ahmed is as strong as we believe it to be, then
the truth between friends should not be painful. Minister Kahin is
simply not up to the task.
The other torn in the president's side is the current parliament and
it's destitution. Somaliland has now the longest sitting parliament,
without elections, (14 years, 5000+ days), since the "Long parliament of
1642-1653" during the English civil war that cost a King his head. The
House of Elders has been sitting for more than three decades ( 30
years) without reform. This is embarrassing!
And the worst thing about this situation is not because of a lack of
will, support, logistics, data, or due to war, pestilence, drought or
worse, but of leadership. The democratic credentials and progression of
the country are being held hostage by "parliamentarians" who will not
enact the bills to hold elections, by a political party afraid of losing
it's seats and majority in the house, by a opposition party afraid to
trust the process, and by politicians who don't want see their lucrative
careers came to an end.
Finally, we come to the most alarming failure in domestic political
policy. The blatant disregard for the law by both the government and the
citizens which is leading to the fragmentation of the society.
We have the absurd situation in Somaliland, of a self enthroned
"Boqor" raising militias and causing havoc in Sanaag. We have a renegade
Colonel in the mountains, we are seeing soldiers from certain
communities in the east bolting the country!
Mr. President, Somaliland is not just the corridor between, Gabiley,
Hargeysa, Burco, Boorama and Berbera. You need to look east. You need to
go there, base yourself there, and once and for all, remedy the
situation.
We also need to invest in the quest for international de-jure
recognition. Somaliland is blessed with many talented, urbane,
influential and educated people, both at home and abroad. The
indefatigable Edna Aden cannot to do it all alone. Empower our
representatives abroad to take initiatives, engage the international
communities. We need to lobby extensively. We have a strong and just
case, and should not feel embarrassed to lobby.
I have a great empathy with President Muse Bihi Abdi, because deep
down, like all of us, he loves his country and it's people. All of its
people. He just has to show that in deeds rather than words. The
president must make sure that the elections take place. That those who
feel marginalized become included. That equality, justice and freedoms
are protected. That we do not cast "Maandeeq" away, again, like we did
in 1960.
For all those old enough to have grown up, educated and worked in the
region during the ill-fated union know there will always be social,
cultural and even economic ties, but not political ties. There is a
Somali saying " Waa habeen xalay tagay".
Wa Bilaahi Towfiiq
Ali Mohamed Abokor
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