Opinions » Somaliland
Somaliland Needs a Greedy President
May 24, 2010 · 53 Comments
HARGEISA (SomalilandPress) — Okay, so this is another article that will probably get me in trouble, but please; let me explain why I would make such an outrageous assertion before jumping to your conclusions.
In an ideal world, we would be graced by leaders whose only motivation was for their nation to prosper, for their nation grow into a powerhouse on the international stage, and for all of its citizens to have opportunities that would make citizens of other nations envy their citizenship. But we’re not living in an ideal world, we’re living in the real world and in the real world, over 90% of elected officials actions are determined by something called ‘what’s in it for me (WIIFM).’
‘What’s in it for me’ or WIIFM, is something that almost every successful politician, businessman, or any other successful person for that matter, had to master before getting where they are. It’s the art of taking actions based on how it serves their personal interests, as opposed to the interests of greater mankind.
Even mighty Obama, the much-loved President of the United States of America follows this method. If you follow politics closely you’ll notice that he is constantly engaged in a struggle between doing what is right, what is politically correct and pleasing the donors who were generous enough to get him into office. A prime example of his WIIFM in action, is his refusal to do anything about the many illegal actions of the State of Israel. While deep down he knows what is morally right, it is very hard for him to act against the biggest donors to the lobbies that get American Presidents into power. The reason I use Obama as an example is because America is considered ‘the perfect democracy’ by many in the world, but as perfect as it may seem, no system or democracy is truly perfect.
Did you ever care to ask yourself why someone who’s on the board of a multinational firm would give up his salary plus an easy five or plus million in bonuses for a position in office that pays less than 10% of what he would make otherwise? It’s because after taking that position, and conducting many favours for big corporations, they have assured themselves a lifetime income and honorary positions in corporations, as well as the guaranteed 100K plus for every speech they deliver at a dinner. Not only is the race for office an ambition because of the power, it is more for the financial security that it provides, and some politicians like Obama, have mastered the art of charisma and through their superior oratory skills are able to pursue their ulterior motives without being questioned due to the unconditional love their country men have for them.
While Obama is able to offer kind words and actions, there are other more fortunate nations that are able to give their citizens a great deal more in exchange for power and their love. An excellent example is the oil-rich Gulf States where the people literally love their monarchs. The reason that the oil rich Arab Sheikhs are still in power has nothing to do with foreign support (as conspiracy theorists might have you believe), it is simply because their citizens actually love them, and have benefited from their leadership.
In the United Arab Emirates, for example, the citizens are given free housing, assistance when getting married, and basically no citizen is able to fall through the cracks and all are well taking care of. This level of assistance from their government allows the citizens of the country to easily turn a blind-eye to the monarchy’s billion dollar a day lifestyle and the many 20 by 20 km ‘Presidential Palaces’ that dot the tiny gulf state. In seeking power, the leaders of these countries were able to share their massive oil wealth with their subjects, and their subjects love them for it and only a minority would ever question needing a change in leadership.
So coming back to Somaliland, the country I love before any other, where people literally go to sleep and wake up hungry and where the liberators of the country are left to wander the streets at the mercy of generosity; we are obviously not striking this balance. The quality of life and the disparity and gap between our elected leaders and the most impoverished is insanely disproportionate.
We are faced with a situation where we also have a leader, and a leader who needs to secure his future in a country where nothing is promised after you leave office. This is the same reason why almost all of Somaliland’s civil servants will take twice as much as you are willing to offer them for any service they provide. It’s simple really; on the day they lose their job, they literally have nothing else to fall back on. While we solemnly do understand this, they also need to remember the rest of us.
So getting back to the title of the article, I’ll explain why ‘Somaliland Needs a Greedy President’. There is a very well known Somali proverb that states ‘You can determine the shoemaker’s work ethic by observing their shoes’. What this means is that you would probably want to ask Warren Buffet for business advice instead of someone who has great ideas but hasn’t accomplished anything in life. For Somaliland to be ambitious, we need an ambitious President who wants to get somewhere big on the international stage.
A leader who wants more than a cut from a Total Oil contract, a few mines in Awdal region, a cut from the small traffic Berbera Port generates, or a cut of the sale of government owned land. We need a President who wants to get a cut of multiple oil contracts, a cut of the massive potential this country has in natural resources, a cut of increased traffic in Berbera port and other ports he built in other regions, and a cut of the sale of land he bought legitimately before he got into office, and whose price had gone up starkly due to his administration making the land that much more valuable through their development policies.
What I am trying to say is that if we had a greedier President of Somaliland, our country would benefit greatly because his or her greater ambition and greed would result in improvements for Somaliland.
All elected officials are constantly trying to figure out how their next move will get them higher up the ladder, and we need a President who realises the need to do this and realises that their only way to greater success is the success of the entire nation. What Somaliland needs is a President who thinks like a ‘big boy’ so that Somaliland can one day itself become a ‘big boy.’ While it is understandable that such a great ambition can be difficult for a former businessman involved in the Khat trade, our country needs a President that doesn’t only want to profit off of small and minor transactions, but wants to build a stronger and better nation so that any cut they receive would make his current take pale in comparison.
It is logistical facts that have led me to the conclusion that Somaliland has the potential to one day become a shining beacon to the rest of the world, and not simple patriotism and imagination. For the nation to become an equal partner on the global stage through development of its vast resources potential we just need a leader who salivates at the thought of receiving a piece of that greater pie. We need to find the leader who sees and understands this vision clearly and is willing to share it with the rest of us so that we can all ultimately benefit.
I for one wouldn’t mind if he benefited personally, as every other world leader already does, so long as we got a bit of the trickle down too. Is this a controversial opinion? Yes! But is this that far from the truth? I’ll let your comments decide…
By Maxmuud-Aar
Somalilandpress | Monday, May 24 2010
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By Abdiqani
Tags: Dahir Riyaale Kaahin, Opinions, President, Somaliland
Readers Comments (53)
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This is what I try to tell these guys all the time thanks Mr Arr. We need a greedy president that wants more and more, Mr Rayale seems to be easily satisfied even if you offer him $100.
A greedy president will open many doors even though he wants a lot. The reason Somaliland's budget is low is because Mr Rayale is not greedy enough.
I always say, guys like Rayale would be perfect running a charity organisation but not a nation, you need a greedy heartless guy for this job.
Faisal wont win. He is cool guy, he is the type of guy you wanna chill with, have coffee with.
Silanyo is more mystery than the Harry Potter world, he has been in politics since the late 70s and yet no one knows any thing about him, just that he was an SNM chairman. Thats all. If you ever reading this Silanyo stop playing the SNM card and start reaveling yourself to Somaliland and you might win votes, You need a new campain called "Meet Silanyo".
Rayale as a former foot soldier is rather naive and just clueless.
I dont know anyone who I think is worthy of running Somaliland. If it was upto me I do take bit of Silanyo and mix it with Ina Warran Adde.
Silanyo is mysterious, even though he is the longest serving SNM chairman, even though he served as chairman of the economic board of Somalia, even though he is the fiscal founding father of Somaliland, even though he has been president candidate twice and head of Kulmiye part for the last 8 years, even though he is on the news of Somaliland media outlets daily making statements and holding meetings in the country as well as abroad.
He is really an unknown man, we can't judge what his ambitions and capabilities are by judging from his past – why? dont ask me ask keyse-, he is really unknown by the way we never saw his birth certificate he might not be a Somalilander even!
p.s. Ina warran Adde is the unknown one :D
Ha ha ha "He is the type of guy you wanna cill with", "More mystery than Harry Potter". This is the reason why I love this site honesty, you get all these characters who are not shying away from speaking their mind off. Excellent article Mr. Arr keep them coming. Mr. Kayse, when will we ever see some of your work?
Thanks guys well I will write soon perhaps but wait and see B)
I think I have figured why Silanyo is a mystery box — we hear so much what he did from OTHERS but never hear his VOICE as Silanyo.
I am not a fan of biographers please Mr Silanyo grab the microphone and introduce yourself to the people, this is why people dont vote. If we knew you a little bit more I am sure you will be president where I want you to be.
Others tell others about Silanyo, "Oh he was this that", never have I heard "I Ahmed Mohamed Mahamoud Silanyo"
Even his name is confusing, is it Ahmed Mohamed or is it Ahmed Mohamoud Mohamed or is it Mohamed Ahmed Mohamoud?
So confusing.
Rayale's mortgages abroad take at least 60% of our budget… so sad
A good opinion but I disagree. Unlike the leaders of other parts of the world, whereby a leader is a member of a small family, our leaders and leaders-to-be are members of a clan. The rule of the thumb of a leader benefiting personally and spreading the wealth around does not hold water in our society.
For an alternative, how about if we borrow a little policy of China whereby any public servant taking bribe should have his hand/head chopped off.
All somalis are lazy fools.
Arr,
I hate to say this but I completly disagree. Take that idiodic way of thinking back to UK, UAE or Canada. Your mind grows more polluted by the somali way of thinking. Just cause "they" have done it that way, doesn't mean we have to follow.
If the president takes everything what's left for the people. With the success Djibouti has had in the past decade, go and have a look at the rich or upper-class there. It woud not surprise to know that Ismael Omar and his goons are the only ones to profit.
So please keep your out-of-the box thinking to yourself.
can you imaging mourinho as a president of a nation….he follows a system which is unique and unmatched which is not bowing down to the upper fellows, ……..very controversial leader who wants to get the job done, for the sake of the great amount of chauvinism within him.. and whilst doing so, he expresses in a way , that you would have done, and is never afriad to say the things that needed to be said, ….now that guy is definitely the special one
A football manager for president, Xaaji you deserve the bench indefinite for your comment.
As far as I am concerned it's an interesting article and its true all politicians build their fortune from that the position they hold, but return something to the people by creating atmosphere were population will not have enough time to look beyond and seek to check the politicians actual pocket and how he got all that money.
We have an economist who could fit this position, but cannot be like the western politician and being a Somalilander cannot do what he wants to do. Reason being we Somalilanders are natural auditors by nature and tribal impossible that the President get lion share of the economic in-flow, because it will show his tribe, and the population at large will notice immediately.
I foresee that Mr.Siilaanyo, will be the perfect President at the moment, because he will use his experience in economics, and experience he received during his opposition period will know more than any President, what the people of Somaliland is looking to achieve during his first term of office. That is if he chooses the right cabinet that empowers themselves to run the country. We the Somalilanders should not waste time this time, and make mistake to re-elect the sitting duck once again. I am not tribal affiliated any of the contenders of this election, but I need Somaliland to have a better chance of what we currently have.
Folks before we begin to shoot the messanger let us first assimilate the message. I understand where brother Arr is coming from, however I do not agree with him. I understand where he is coming from because in western society the President is an individual with "few" friends. These few friends who helped the President get elected in office end up getting appointed to top jobs. The president's financial gain begins after he/she departs office be it book deals or speech.
I disagree with Mr. Arr because in our society the President not only has few friends he also has "clan" reer heebal. Mr. President has to not only feed his friends but he also ends up feeding his clan. Once the pie is divided into too many slices you are left with a nation that is under developed and over exploited.
What Somaliland currently needs is a leader who will think outside that box of clan and corrupt friends. The sad thing about it is neither one of these three men fit that criteria.
Interesting article. I'm an American and I can say that we have taken this road and it leads to great suffering. Yes, on the outside, we look big and powerful but on the inside, we are enslaved through taxes, regulation, debt and the cost-of-living treadmill. Yes, there are opportunities… but only if you already have enough money to pay the lawyers to protect your businesses and investments. We have cut off the bottom rungs of the ladder of economic opportunity. Those who cannot reach (most) will never rise from their social and debt slavery while those with rich parents to send them to Ivy League schools yammer on and on about American being the land of opportunity. Even our poor are not poor by Somali standards, yet how much of this wealth is just imperial plunder from other, poorer nations being funneled to the American masses through deficit-financed entitlements to keep them saying "support the troops"?
One mans cupidity is another mans stupidity!
****
The greedy man is pretty sure to get what he wants- but not enough of it!
The girl who never got enough dolls often grows up into the woman who can not get enough dollars!
^^^
A great man is always willing to be little!
@@@
Money makes fools of great people, and it makes great people of fools.:'(
Subxaanallah, where did our faith in God and our morals gone?? A greedy leader who steals from his country is not the answer to our problems but is surely the cause of it. We don't need more shameless and immoral men who blunder people’s taxes and spend most of it building palaces for themselves on foreign lands while our hospitals lack even the most basic tools. The writer of this article had probably forgotten all about history when writing this garbage. If greedy presidents were the answer to poverty, then Iraq under Saddam Hussein could have been a shinning example; except it was not. Saddam had his toilets covered in pure gold while most of his people were languishing in misery. Everyone knows how when there is no system of accountability and justice in a society, presidents turn into dictators because of their unchecked robbery of public resources. We don't need more evil people in Somaliland, but we desperately need God fearing, pious, educated, and caring individuals to lead us to prosperity.
A greedy leader is just A Siad Barre!, we don't need that but a leader who has optimism is apreiated
I think Siraanyo is the best of the three bad guys we have as candidates for the presidentship. the only good logo he is carrying is that he will allow to open the door for new political parties. if we cross safe this test this time, Allah (SWT) is exempt from any blame.
Somalia politicians in Mogadishu are the examples of greedy leaders who make money while gunfire landed on civilians. Why? because no matter what happens, they will continue pocketing money that was intended to make Somalia a working government. You will see greedy politicians collecting their monthly income while civilians live under the trees and puting up difficult weather conditions. Greedy leaders enjoy in comfortable hotels in side Somalia and outside while Somali children cried in hunger and have no hope at all. So, you want greedy politicians in Somaliland that maybe asking for more problems. Just because we live outside doen't mean we don't care people who stay behind. This is like let the greedy leader on top since his action wouldn't have any effect on me becuase I live U.K or N.America.
Ayanle and all try seeing the Big picture My brother's see the one that Mr Maxmuud-Aar is tryin to paint Ayanle The greediness ya expressing is just too cheep compared to wat Mr Maxmuud-Aar "Greedy" really meant …
N bird's fly south but honestly if given the chance am ready to work wit da jew's
great article..:-)
first of all , I thanks Mr. Aar for this intersting article , secondly I like to say we have enought greedy people on the somaliland political stage but what we need really is reasnable presidint and that one we have it know is Mr. Rayaale .
in my opinion I think Somaliland goverment is do well until know according to the capcity that it has , because the policy is the the action of done , or the arts of do , what ever that is mean you did what you can or what is possible .
so if we look to somaliland political situation now we find that somaliland make election process , fighting in the east and deal with the rest of world , all this thing as the same time with limited resource and very bad condetion .
finally I think Rayaale and his team done well but what we need is more so I think we need greedy Nation and we are .
God Save Somaliland
This is the worst article i have ever read . ………………………………….. stop writing
Warya Qalinle why did you delete my comment ):@
Hello,
I wanted to thank every one of you for reading the article and make a few clarifications as it seems that my entire point seems to have gone over a few heads. I knew in advance that it would be a controversial and difficult concept to grasp, but I'll make an attempt to explain it further.
In reality, the closest you will ever get to a truly patriotic leader is one who can fashion words in a manner that would please your ears the most. We've all had politicians come around during campaigning (who would even tie your shoelaces if you asked them to), listen to your every word and need; only to disappear and never be heard from once they took the seat you helped place them in.
I realize that we don't need a 'greedy president' in the idealistic sense, it's just that I also know that that's all we're ever going to get because all politicians have selfish motives and even the Stalins and Castros turn into dictators once they become accustomed to the perks of power.
We need leaders who don't want to sell themselves or their country cheap, and both them and their country to be a part of something greater. Leaders who can't be bribed for $100 as someone above mentioned and who want so much more for themselves that they will work harder to take Somaliland to the point where a small cut he receives won't seem so out of place compared to the quality of life and living standard his hard work ethic has given to his fellow citizens. Think of it as an immoral corporate bonus for a job well done, even though he technically isn't entitled to it (ish happens).
I don't promote thievery, but unless you want to lie to yourself; it happens to the best of all governments (ie: the recent scandal in Britain). So what I was trying to explain is that if this kind of thing happens anyways, shouldn't our politicians create an environment where the little they take isn't so easy to notice as is our current situation now?
If the word Greedy scared you, good, because it made you read this article, but if it make you feel better; try exchanging the word 'greedy' for ambitious and my point may possibly become clearer.
Regards,
Maxmuud-Aar (aka Somalilander)
PS: Thank you Jake for taking the time to read this article. I'm glad you liked it and there will be many more to come (iA) ;o)
PPS: This also means that this leader doesn't share or spread the existing wealth to his tribe… He increases the nation's wealth so that the ENTIRE country becomes more wealthy in general so that the little he's going to take anyways isn't as easily noticed because people aren't starving at his expense.
Mr Somalilander, for all your good intentions I can not understand the way you are philosophising about greed. To me and to the sane people, a greedy president is a greedy cow and should be locked up in Mandheera prison where the bad people belong. It seems that you are painstakingly trying convince us that the only people who want to be leaders are the hopelessly greedy ones. What about the countless patriots inside and outside of Somaliland who fear their Lord and the Day of Judgement, and who given the chance would put their mind, body, and soul into serving their country and people without stealing a penny from them? You compared the ‘greedy leader’ with the corporate bosses who shamelessly pay each other obscene amounts of money in bonuses for doing nothing. Aren’t these corporate bosses the same ones who brought down those successful household names like Enron, Lehman Brothers, and RBS? Was the notorious former chief executive of RBS Fred the Shred not greedy enough or ambitious enough to you? As I said earlier, what we need in Somaliland is not anymore greedy devils who care only about their pockets, but good men and women who would be willing to sacrifice a lot for their country and people.
Well Abraham,
Good points you have made as well as the ones mentioned before you, the only difference is that I still believe you're sane for what I consider a naive expectation of a politician. I would love to see the day when the leader you speak of is actually elected, and until then, I'm going to look for the alternative or lesser of two evils.
But who knows? Perhaps Somaliland can become the first country in the world with a leader that cares about his country. I guess we all have the right to dream..
Somalilander
There will always be different opinions on any subject. But to choose a greedy leader in advance, seems a little wild to me.
Maybe if Somalilander changed ‘greedy leaders’ to ‘good dictator’ (though there are very rare), the discussion could have lead us somewhere else. Just my 2 cents.
I hear where you coming from true said, for any country to be established they should learn how to eat the cake and save the cake. Why do you think Europe and America are where they are today by following all the rules in the book?They got there by thinking about themselves and visions of being nr 1 as a country by all means and in return their personal rewards grew.
The idea of a righteous and fair leader for all sounds perfect but in reality ruling purely on religious sharia wont get you anywhere in this day and age perhaps if you already are established country but you heading for failure in a 3rd world country.
If a leader makes the people happy then he can take his personal cut. Give some take some you cant be a kind/fair leader all times.If you soft and nice then am sorry my opinion is you have no place in politics
hope all makes sense
Iman
Just to add someone mentioned Saddam as an example of greedy presidents- Sure he commited war crimes but during his time Iraq was blooming one of the best health services plus public services where is it today? in need of aid generations lost.
Another similar character Siad Barre- Our country was also blooming during his time and we were heading for a bright future hadnt things happend they way they did.Somalia was one of the most beautiful countries in the world back then we had foreigners going there for their holiday!
Also any future leader just needs to put aside this qabil bullshit as that wont get you anywhere internationally and globally just around that little community which acctually isnt relevant in order to achieve a greater reward.
Iman
Just to add someone mentioned Saddam as an example of greedy presidents- Sure he commited war crimes but during his time Iraq was blooming one of the best health services plus public services where is it today? in need of aid generations lost. Another similar character Siad Barre- Our country was also blooming during his time and we were heading for a bright future hadnt things happend they way they did.Somalia was one of the most beautiful countries in the world back then we had foreigners going there for their holiday!
Also any future leader just needs to put aside this qabil bullshit as that wont get you anywhere internationally and globally just around that little community which acctually isnt relevant in order to achieve a greater reward.
I wrote too much hope all makes sense
Iman
Just to add someone mentioned Saddam as an example of greedy presidents- Sure he commited war crimes but during his time Iraq was blooming one of the best health services plus public services where is it today? in need of aid generations lost.
Another similar character Siad Barre- Our country was also blooming during his time and we were heading for a bright future hadnt things happend they way they did.Somalia was one of the most beautiful countries in the world back then we had foreigners going there for their holiday!
Iman
Dear Iman,
Shari a, justice, the fear of God, and righteous leaders is what took Arabia in the 7th century from being primitive warring tribes like Somalia is today to the great Islamic civilisation which paved the way for today's high-tech modern age. Look closer at the way all the successful democratic nations work and you will see the Islamic values of transparency, justice, care for the people, upholding their laws, education, collaboration and consultation on communal and national matters, and respect for human rights at the centre of their societies. Moreover, if you think the only way third world countries can progress is by having miserable and greedy leaders, look closer at their governments because they have already got such leaders. And please don't get me started with Siad Barre now.
This article is spot on! This is why we should elect Faysan Ali Warabe/ Ucid party as our next president, the man has some great ideas when it comes to the economy, he is against khad unlike Rayaale and is younger than the too old Selanyo, he understands the new world we live in and he is above all a true Somalilander AKA nationalist which is what we need in a president.
Samir let me tell you that khat was the reason why SNM fought against Said Barre, so i think this guy already made some enemies before he came to the office.
Reach for the stars and you'll reach the sky, i understand where you're coming from.
The country needs morf than one leader, First you need Parliment who their Job as law Makers and should be volunteers no Pay at all. I think we do need parlimantrian who does not need the government be nuts pay and should not be hostage for the small income coming from the Executive division who in return asks them to approve their interest.
Ahmed-I think you missed the point here , am very well aware of the history my dear and also the fact that in end the righteous people will win before the judgement day insha allah.
But the point here today is what the article said a greedy/ambitious person that want more for his country always hungry for more and modern changes in order to keep up with the rest of the developed world. And what usually keeps people motivated is their own personal rewards whether they be now ( which most of them settle for)or a long-term thing where they can take the big cut.
Am not justifying Saddam or Siad barre and the crimes they committed against their own people they were both evil men but you have to admit while they were in power both countries looked different then it does today. They not perhaps the best example but the reason i used them is that they were already mentioned and they did try to compete with the big superpowers and not afraid like the ones we have today thats all.
Dear Somalilanders
Its better to face the facts and figures and look deeply our country's situation, with the help of the current creeping government, if you are serious you can recognize the suitable solution.
If I give a hint of my suggestion, i came from home almost eight months ago, i just went there to make a survey, I was really disprate when I returned because of wildness of the population and their officers indeed. I came to know that the country is recently requiring new blood. fresh brain and complete fittness from all viroses. that catogories of people are avialalbe in UCID. Best Regards
Waa Guul
My Freinds I think mohamed Aar want to say that Somaliland needs an agressive President instead of Greedy President.
My freind if you mean aggressive president you have to mention aggressive in what I think the suitable word is "Politcally aggressive President".
Our Somaliland mass was previously row and proud, but recdently they are well tamed and well cooked, they need a very logic president who can lead them and help the people, the Country and the Faith indeed. And that is Faisal, we are aware of Silanyo management as well as Riyale lets give the chance to Fresh minded faisal.
Mohamed Aar deliberated that Somaliland needs a greedy President, will you tell me how emphasize your presidential selection. Anyway, lets accumulate our ideas and opinions to sellect the president who is gonna recultivate this depressed country, we already aware from the depredated president Silaanyo's disterted leadership. I suggest to give this chance to Engineer Faisal Ali Hussein. He is illegable to lead the country to healthy, wealthy and prosperity if allah al-mighty is willing and with the concepts of all the diaspora.
The People of Somalia couldnot sort out their issues forthe last 19 years, not they sorted out the Somali Issue for the 31 of Southern rule in Somali Republic which resulted the civil in Somaliland.and continueous war in Somalia which would not end for the coming century.
Somaliland's demand was right and they ruled their countries for past 19 from 1991 to now very well in comparision hundreds of thrid world countries including Arab countries. Therefore let leave thi sissue of Old Governments as this.
We shoud work out how to achieve two good neighbouring countries Somalia and Somalia,
Also theOther Somali communities such as Djibouti, Kenyian Somalia, Ethiopian Somalia shoudl bed good neighbours. and do not waste time in a greater Somalia any more than already wasted.Ali Adam
Somaliland need President who knows his job as Executive part of the Somaliland Government and should respect the Parliament, and Upper House as well. and should direct them but should execute Laws passed by the legislation division. We also need to change the Law to make Laws should be discussed in the Parliament, and vote and then go to the Upper house for debate and pass then the Executive division to execute. We do not laws to be approved by the President after two houses pass with its majority. Ali
Somaliland need President who knows his job as Executive part of the Somaliland Government and should respect the Parliament, and Upper House as well. and should not direct them but should execute Laws passed by the legislation division. We also need to change the Law to make Laws should be discussed in the Parliament, and vote and then go to the Upper house for debate and pass then the Executive division to execute. We do not need laws to be approved by the President after two houses pass with its majority. Ali
We as Somalilanders need Executive, Parliament, and Upper House to work on developing the country infrastructure such as , Electricity, Water, Telecommunication, Roads, Seaports. Airports, without these you cannot develop the country. Second, we need to develop, Education, such as, Technical Instituties, we need to build more Hospitols, Light industry Factories especial for meat and Milk.and cement which their raw material is avaiable in the country. This will create jobs and unemploement will fall drastically. We all shoud work on these direction instead of talking about politics.Ali
I tottaly disagree with the fellow.I think we need a passionate leader like faysl warabe. surprized why many people are not seeing this unique calibre of the leader. we do have one problem and that is judging the leaders on tribal bases.i criticize ucid leaders also for not coming out big so the people of the land can see them.
Whilst we are busy glorifying ‘greed’, as Somaliland prepares for national election, I write to remember a great African president – the late Thomas Sankara, hoping and praying that a Sankara will arise in Somaliland. As Somaliland looks desperately for leaders of integrity and vision, the life and ideals of the late Thomas Sankara seem more and more relevant and exemplary with the passage of time.
Thomas Sankara is still venerated on his own continent as the ‘African Che,’ a legendary martyr like Patrice Lumumba or Amilcar Cabral. A Somaliland considering the task ahead needs to be someone who can easily 'wear' such shoes.
Sankara’s brief four-year rule and his revolutionary program for African self-reliance is a defiant alternative to the neo-liberal development strategies imposed on Africa by the West, both then and today. Sankara, a charismatic army captain, came to power in Burkina Faso, in 1983, in a popularly supported coup. He immediately launched the most ambitious program for social and economic change ever attempted on the African continent.
To symbolize this rebirth, he even renamed his country from the French colonial Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, ‘Land of Upright Men.’ As soon as he took office, he reduced the salaries of all public servants, including his own, and forbade the use of chauffeur-driven Mercedes and 1st class airline tickets. He was one of the first to recognize that key to the development of Burkina Faso and Africa was improving the status of women. He was the first African leader to appoint women to major cabinet positions and to recruit them actively for the military. He outlawed forced marriages and encouraged women to work outside the home and stay in school even if pregnant. He launched a nation-wide public health campaign vaccinating over 2 ½ million people in a week, a world record.
He was also one of the first African environmentalists, planting over 10 million trees to retain soil and halt the growing desertification of the Sahel. He promoted local cotton production and even required public servants to wear a traditional tunic, woven from Burkinabe cotton and sewn by Burkinabe craftsmen. He redistributed land from the feudal landlords and gave it directly to the peasants. Wheat production rose in just three years from 1700 kg per hectare to 3800 kg per hectare, making the country food self-sufficient. He started an ambitious road and rail building program to tie the nation together, eschewing any foreign aid by relying on his country’s greatest resource, the energy and commitment of its own people.
Sankara’s experiment attracted intense interest far beyond Burkina Faso, posing a serious threat to the status quo, especially to France’s continued dominance of its former West African colonies and to the corrupt regimes ruling these client states.
Sankara spoke eloquently and unflinching in forums like the Organization of African Unity against continued neo-colonialist penetration of Africa through Western trade and finance. He opposed foreign aid, saying that ‘he who feeds you, controls you.’
Decades before talk of cancellation of Africa’s debt became acceptable in world banking circles, Sankara called for a united front of African nations to repudiate their foreign debt. He argued that the poor and exploited did not have an obligation to repay money to the rich and exploiting. During the current, almost unopposed wave of globalization, Sankara’s brief revolution offers an alternative or at least the possibility of another route for African development based on autonomy and local self-reliance.
Sankara’s unimpeachable personal integrity, his clear, innovative ideas and tireless dedication to his people set a standard for the leadership Africa deserves and craves.
Last, guys we, Somalianders need such a person to lead us.
PS. I was born aboard and have fallen for Somaliland, but every time I visit I am disappointed with the poor perception of reality by my people. We needs to start believing in ourselves and making our lives better – no one will come and do that for us. And stop the cheap mentality of only making a dollar here or there.
Don't get me wrong. Recognition is a good thing, but we need to organise ourselves with the little that we have – manage it properly and equitably. Then look for others. When we mismanage the little we have, how will we ever prosper when we are recognised?
On that front, I think Riyale has failed us. This is a man who should have led us into election 2008 but dragged his feet for extra two years – whilst busy creating patronage and nepotism. He stands for impunity. We are more divided under him than we have before.
I humbly suggest we, the majestic people of Somaliland, ask him on his way out and elect someone else.
Longlive Somaliland, long live my country.
riyale was olmost done every thing in his community but to say throught what currentpres is
Dear Mahmoud Aar,
I am impressed about your article and many people may not completely comprehend your point,
I understand your point, It is true that Greedy person can achieve something and look for higher life and look for himself as well as the country,
you are above the average people and they may hate for this truth. best luck of you and we need many people like you to access the situation and question about what we need in terms of leaders and their policy to lead us.
We need someone bring big for the nation and take his cut which eventually be big for individual. regards Ali
Dear Ali Adam.I agree with the two comments you made.
One about the five Somalis (so-called greater Somalia) should respect each as neighbouring society and each one should build himself and help the other if needed. Two your point of Presidents, yes we do not need President to approve Laws that our representatives voted and approved, He should execute it as Executive sector of the Three powers of the government Legation, Executive, and Legal and we need media to be the fourth like any democratic country. best wishes Ali
Dear Ali Adam.I agree with you the two comments you made.
One about the five Somalis (so-called greater Somalia) should respect each as neighbouring society and each one of them should build its self and help the other if needed.
Two your point of Presidents, yes we do not need President to approve Laws that our representatives voted and approved, He should execute it as Executive sector of the Three powers of the government Legation, Executive, and judiciary and we need media to be the fourth like any democratic country. best wishes Ali
It's fun to come back and read my own articles sometimes. I wonder if anyone knew that they were hit by Maxmoud Stephen Colbert Aar or not… Ah, satire, works like a charm!
For future readers who were wondering, the article was a smart way to throw jabs at our then corrupt leader and tongue-in-cheek use of some witty sarcasm…
As you can see for yourselves, it was a very serious time…