Opinions
Dear Somaliland Government, enough of the visits, photo ops and meetings with donors. We want a fully functioning Government!
July 28, 2011 · 30 Comments
It’s been a year. A year of progress. A year of stability. A year of making the right moves on the international diplomatic front. The government of Somaliland has made progress no doubt in terms of forwarding the case for independence. They have made the right noises at the right times to the right people. This has been done through well coordinated meetings and a PR machine that is punching above its weight. I say well done.
In contrast, the internal functions of government are yet to be reviewed and improved. From the outside, it seems as though there is no urgency to introduce and implement internal procedures that will improve the government’s functionality and provide a medium for the public clarifying what needs to be done when requiring government approval. There is no readily available information for someone who wishes to set up a business for example. The importance of such information being readily available to citizens isn’t even on the radar.
In addition, the internal government communication system is non existent. Ministers and government officials are still using personal email addresses. Why hasn’t the government installed a basic IT system for its internal communications? Why isn’t there any information on the structure of each ministry (who is under the Minister, what are their responsibilities are and what the organisational structure is?) and how does one register ownership of a house or a car?
These are just examples I’ve become aware of. On top that, there are a number of draft laws waiting to be debated in parliament. These laws include much needed regulatory frameworks and procurement procedures designed to ensure compliance and transparency.
I fully understand these things may take time to implement however, from personal observations and having visited a number of Government departments, it seems as though the Somaliland Government is lacking the urgency to implement these measures and have convinced themselves everything depends on international recognition and UN Capacity Building.
Such measures are not difficult to implement and by no means require any additional funding or other parties to coordinate. It is basic stuff expected of a competent government to put in place for their civilians. So, Somaliland Government, please take the necessary steps to provide the right services for the citizens of Somaliland who should be your priority.
Ibrahim Ahmed
ibrahimobb@hotmail.com
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By Mo Guled
Readers Comments (30)
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after a year of kulmiye leadership i feel ashamed when the government officials grab the microphone and loudly present minor issues as for their achievements:-
increase salary:- while on the other hand cost of living dramatically increased,, simple math $1 salary increase, $1 rice price increase,,, so what benefit is in there?
finally,, the pubic is realizing D grade government's performance can not be A grade government performance. i believe hamari bahaa bahaa culture is growing inside our ministerial level.
broken promises are so common or popular in democratic nations, so democratic leaders must accept shoe throwing accidents, kkkkkkkkkk,,,,
The government is doing great and has done alot in just one year, if you want to change somaliland or the government for the better then join it and reform it from inside, its afcause easy for us somalis living in the west always to complain about the conditions in the horn of Africa without contributing to anything. Change don't come by itself.
Long live Somaliland.
I do agree what you have said…those living overseas should contribute more money alone does not solve our problem…skills are what needed ..we have to train and educate our people.
Hi there, you are not form Las anod,
Soil boy do not act and think that way, there do not try to fool us. Every one Somali knows the situation of Lasanod.
It an occupied territory which for their boy's call sooooooon.
gabiley bought him to power and he hasnt even looked in their direction
The somaliland people gave him victory not only gabiley, and what do you mean by looking? somaliland is a poor country it can not build all cities like hargeysa, the people must invest in their own country. And by the way silanyo recently visited gabiley, he has never visited Sanaag or Sool.
@Las anod
My friend do not get wrong gabiley needs what every other cities including yours wants, that is just justice development nothing else,, please stay focus to the topic.
A part from that we all know gabiley region is the second largest government revenue generation after berbera, let us give them respect and encourage regions infrastructure , hospitals and schools.
hassan
okay if you want every somaliland city to look like singapore who are going to pay for it?
Hassan… let me remind you onething, every country has diffrenceses due to Tax income… no matter where but Somaliland is still Somaliland…as far as I know Gabiley got more than any other cities.
@ahmed
Somaliland is still somaliland no matter where up to there i can agree with you,,, but when it comes "as far as i know gabiley got more than any other city" that are your words please share with us all what you know the development projects that kulmiye government started there? and what more they got?
@Somaliland patriot
Lets not be selfish the president has a lot of work to do in so many areas including sol sanag and so many other things and issues to solve. There is heavy weight duty and responsibility on his shoulder as a leader. At least Somaliland is a democracy that means if leaders mess with their power we know what to do with them
It is great that we all realize much needs to be done and that we, regardless of our political stripe want to urge the continuous capacity building, strengthening the justice system to a more independent functional system free of loop holes and political manipulation. Our economy too needs a lot of home-grown focus that uses both international and home-grown frameworks. We need to continuously demand better systems and structures and must be willing to do our part. We as citizens also have responsibilities to fulfill.
The current government leaders have no leadership skills, the country is sinking, corruption is increasing, the unity is dying and majority are suffering. kulmiye party members and Dahashiil are happy because they can afford to buy anything they want. No fuel in the country and transportation business owners are suffering……
we so expert spotting the crocodile tears of the week somaliland haters ,, back of buddy,,, minimizing corruption is one of the view success the current administration achieved
To be honest with you, there is no government in the so called Somaliland. it is very corrupt, please visit to local governments and court these institutions work to nationalize/ loot the properties of the non Isaaq's. This current leadership is the worst that came across the Hargeisa Administration.
The witness to that is Lasanod is imposed a constant curfew and the citizens are treated as second class citizens which is unacceptable to every SSC citizens. I do not understand why SNM fought to the last military regime? because the regime was Darood? or they treated as second class? the answer is at court!
If SSC people does not well come the SNM why they in the areas? because of revenge or what?
Faisal,
It is normal for those who are associating with the current government to defending this corrupted weak government.
The previous government was mother of all corrupt ! At least we have more accountable government. if you
are aware of any corrupt member of this government why do not you report? Grow up Mohamoud
I like debating thou.. exchanging ideas makes perfect things to happen
Somaliland lover,
If you are part of the corrupted government it usual to deny their misleading of the somaliland people and if you are happy to loot and abuse the majority of Somaliland wake up and don't destroy you people.
Mohamoud,
It is both sinful and immoral to accuse people of crimes and then not able to proof it, corruption is crime and you need to give details of who and corruption occurred. Just saying Kulmiye is corrupt without giving evidence is ignorant, childish and to the least irresponsible.
Give us evidence and we will join you fight Kulmiye or watch your tongue.
To all.
Please note that I am not accusing the government of being idle or corrupt. I recognise that they have done a lot of good in the short time they have been in power. I also recognise that a lot more needs to be done and I’m confident they will deliver on most of their election promises.
However, in the here and now, I can’t help but feel more can be done on improving the internal running of government. The services it provides to citizens and the information readily available for basic procedures. This, I believe, can be done with minimal manpower and little cost (what are these government officials paid for anyway?).
Ibrahim
Good Article Ibrahim.
Wallaahi coudn't say it better, I had this in mind and wanted to write about the same issue. The IT bit is so important. For example the pirate region of Puntland has better govn't website than our own. Shame I know.
I know good politicians and institutions when I see them giving importance to the building and strengthening of laws regarding social, family, businesses etc so people could be encouraged to invest in the country. I don't see that.
Gabilay kulahaa. Ceerigaabo is totally neglected boys. I doubt it even registers in the government’s radar. The only time we see Hargeisa politicians is election time. Our encounter with these aliens is like: Hello-Goodbye. We desperately need a paved road connecting our city with Burco so that we can climb down the mountains to stare longingly at all the riches Burco and the rest of Somaliland got.
On a more serious note, I totally agree with Ibrahim that he government can do a lot without spending much money. For instance, the central government should get tough with the useless Hargeisa mayor and his local administration to clean up their act and make the capital a more hygienic and orderly place.
S/C
Firstly I would like to wish everyone ramadan kareem.
One thing that baffles me is why isnt this current goverment doing anything to attract well educated youths abroad to help out the nation. I have heard alot about how somaliland and somalia have untapped natural resources. That may be true but the question is how can the country and its people benefit. Before all that there are more important issues facing the nation.
One of them is khat, it should be banned lol (i know many people Wouldnt agree but imagine if some kind of laws was introduced (which is impossible when some if not all of these so called politicans in the current goverment useing it). How is that possible. Well you get the idea and what I mean is its one of the issues facing the somali people. And btw if you are wondering about my backround im somalilander from burco but was born in Abu dhabi and now live in England and im 21 M. Anyway enough about me.
I have one word for you my friends INFRASTRUCTURE. There is a famous saying that goes 'Build the roads and they will come'. I am proud to say something is being done about this as there is a an improvment but the goverment should invest more. No point of doing abit of the job eitherdo it properly or leave the government for someone else to do it.
Things that include:-
Airports, Bridges, broadband, Canals, Dams, Electricity, Energy.
Hazardous waste -which is a growing issue thats needs to be delt with.
Hospitals, Ports, Mass transit, Public housing, Public schools, Public Space, Roads, Sewage, Shipment, solid Wastes, Telecommunications, Utilities.
Well you get the idea. Thats what needed, ofcourse that wont be easy or free. It will cost billions and could be funded by the countries Natural Resourcses. Why not let the chinese help they seem honest people also very hard working. Offer them contracts In exchange of fuel in form of gas. Its wiser to get on their side rather than the fualtering Americans with their eye watering debt crisis.
Having said that I truely can't see somalilanders puting their diffrences aside and actually thinking of doing something about it and working together. All I see is corrupt goverments and people fighting over khat.
Mustafe
Erigavo is left behind region because their soil boys migrated to Hargeisa because of two factors:
1. The mayor is illiterate who does not want anyone that is capable to contribute
2. Lack of communication, it became deserted area that doesn't mean no resources
As far as clan-ism is the top priority, Erigavo will be no man's land.
You can not achieve perfection overnight. It will take sometime before you get to that point. This one year old government had the misfortune to deal with and sort out the administrative mess and financial bankruptcy inherited from the previous one. In my opinion this governments has done exceptionally well under a difficult circumstance thus far. Let us support this government and hope for the best.
i agree with Jirdeh, however Hargasa and Gabiley are not the only cities in Somalinad.
Let me tell you a philosophical phenomenon that you might not know. The mattress of a government is "peace' and its fence is "justice for all its constituents'. When silanyo came to power he attacked the pastoral and nomad people which led his failure in Kalshale politically and militarily. This implies that this warmonger came to power to attack SSC people instead of winning the hearts and minds of SSC since he was from the EAST.
Therefore, SILANYO is a failure militia leader at this time.