Again Somalia relapses into hostilities and despair by Mohamud M. Ulusow
In addition to ongoing war against terrorist group Al Shabab, looming famine that would affect million people, and intense polarization engendered by the compulsory clan federalism, Somalia suffers many other ills. For background, I hypothesized in my article of June 2014 on the demotion of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud by the International Troika administering Somalia- Envoys of IGAD, UN, and EU- after members of Somali parliament called for his immediate resignation that the ensuing political survival strategy of the President will ruin the future of Somalia. Now there are growing signs that the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) has lost the interest, will, and chance to secure ownership and leadership legitimacy as well as building institutions to effectively represent and defend the best interests of the Somali people, which are the necessary premises for getting national and international trust, respect, and support. The Foreign Minister of Somalia H. E. Dr. Abdirahman Duale Bayleh composed new song broadcasted by Universal TV on August 30, 2014, in which he bluntly defined Somalia as a project and its leader as “Mooge” (Somali word) translated into “absent-minded, ignorant, or confused.”
One of the many ills is the wrong customary approach of the federal government to act when addressing national problems without undertaking the constitutionally required policy development process to produce solutions and consensus translated into laws, regulations, and policy guidelines. Policy Development process is a critical mechanism for institutional building and governance to achieve defined goals and to evaluate performances of government institutions for accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness. Acting without policy development process would lead to failure and self-destruction which perpetuates the national tragedy.
It’s hard to find publications of official documents explaining and legitimizing the domestic and foreign activities of the federal government for public understanding, scrutiny, and transparency. Non-stop travels to abroad, pictures, seminars, and general speeches became its common means for citizens’ engagement and claims for accomplishment. The Federal Government circumvents to seek, honor, and encourage policy development process through genuine public participation and democratic parliamentary process for input, support, and approval.
There are many unexplained events that worried the public. For example, on 9 August 2014, the international troika on Somalia signed a letter in support of Puntland President Abdiweli Gas for his objection against the merger of Mudug and Galgudud regions for the formation of new federal member state. The letter, which divides the region of Mudug, unequivocally repeals articles of the Provisional Constitution and revokes the representation and leadership legitimacy of the FGS. It is prejudicial to the legitimacy and viability of the new federal member state. It undermines direct dialogue among Somalis for reconciliation, cohesion, and compromise. The final message of the letter is pep talk to the leaders of the federal government after being implicitly depicted as not quite honest partners. The FGS remains silent on this foreign interposition.
Well-armed secret service forces raided media properties, houses of members of parliament, politicians, and former government officials. There are accusations of human rights violations, suppression of freedom of expression, damaged or taken properties, and citizens tortured in detention. Despite parliamentary, public, and victims’ outcry for explanation and redress for the death, injury, and arrest of innocent civilians and arbitrary disarmament, the federal government first ignored and later issued threats for additional actions. Abuse of power feeds anarchy and hostility.
It is inconceivable that the leaders of the federal government shielded from the Somali security forces by foreign forces had the sense to deprive vulnerable private citizens and former government officials of the ability to defend themselves from Al Shabab and other personal threats. The fight against Al Shabab transmuted into persecution against suspected rivals of the federal government for harassment and intimidation. Government motivation has alarmed local leaders who expressed their complaint in public.
Additionally, clan federalism reinforces the need for clan armed forces. There are institutionalized clan forces in different regions. Therefore, arms in the hands of community members play the role of deterrence and tenuous but peaceful coexistence until the national government acquires the monopoly of use of force in Somalia.
Somalia, a failed state, needs disarmament, demobilization, and rehabilitation (DDR) program. But, in the absence of public confidence in federal government’s commitment to responsible politics and to the rule of law, the need to keep arms for self-defense has become a necessity. The FGS shoulders the responsibility for breeding public discontent, confusion, suspicion, and misgivings.