The Secret Of Somaliland Government – Part 22

[Deeq A.]

All men seek satisfaction. All pursuits concentrate on satisfaction. But satisfaction is not always wrought by necessity. Sometimes selfishness plays a part. All elements are there, but the desire to prioritize self-interest is the essential component.

Whichever elements that drive the pursuit of satisfaction, in this time and age, humans of the present generation can only be satisfied when what they possess becomes much more than what they desire or demand.

Desire and demand always flow from human behavior, the way humans act and interact. How human actions and interactions are directed and determined brings out the execution of the answers to the questions such as: What do we do? Why we do what we do? How should we do it?

The upshot of how human actions and intentions are directed is either right or wrong: Positive actions and intentions that serve the common good and negative ones that put self-interests over that of all other living things.

It was the absence of the blessing of righteousness that invovles picturing a positive future for the entire Somaliland society, through both spoken words and meaningful touch that falls in line with what this age requires that Hanad wanted to bring back into Somaliland social and political order system.

In the middle of this noble mission, Hanad asked Hinbir, “How would you define Somaliland politics?”
“A system of governance, which, according to Somaliland constitution, is a mixture of tribal habits, Islamic rules and westwern democracy,” replied Hinbir.
“Which is the most powerful element of all components of Somaliland constitution?
The tribal habits, the revealed Islamic rules
or Western idealization, when it comes to national conflicts?”
“Tribalism is the most powerful element in Somaliland social and political system, but non of these mentioned elements is workable when political disputes arise?”
“Do you mean to say that the constitution is the supreme law that finally sorts out political conflicts?”
“No.”
“Then which legal institution is responsible to solve political disputes that happen between political parties, particularly during election times? The apex court or the legislative bodies?
“Non of them. Because all these entities are not independent and are always under the manipulation of the executive branch.”
“Amazing. Then, how political disputes are resolvef?”
“Through concessions and compromises when a good leader who listens and looks things in perspective sits in Somaliland presidential palace.”
“In conflicts, a compromise is the concept
of finding agreements through mutual negotiations and often involves acceptance of what is different from original agreements. Conflict resolutions that born out of mutual negotiations even acceptable to constitution, while concession is taken as a solution to a gridlock, when ocean walls collapse, which means when a nation is likely to collapse. Therefore, do you mean that conflicting political parties make concessions when
they fear and feel that the nation of Somaliland would fall apart?”
“Exactly. But concessionary moves always come from the opposition parties, especially during the reign of the mujahids.”
“Should political conflicts happen between political parties when good leader doesn’t sit in the presidential palace and yes-men occupy the ministerial positions, how political conflicts get resolved?”
“Only time will tell how such case would lay to test.”
“Do you think that tribalism is the common cause of political conflicts?”
“Actually tribalism is not only the common causes of Somaliland political conflicts. The pursuit of wealth and poor leadership are mostly the root cause of Somaliland political conflicts.”

“Tribal mentality is the tedency to seek out and connect with the people who belong to same clan that shares the motto to elbow all other clans out of the national pride and power and, of course, that is typically the mentality which Somaliland leaders always utilize as their political strategies. Do you agree or disagree that Somaliland incumbent leadership is tribal-minded? If you disagree, mention the moves by the incumbent leadership that promote nation-building or measures that pull the divided public back together.”
“Without mentioning my take on this issue, I personally believe that Somaliland politics is tribal,” Hinbir asserted.
“Am I right or wrong if I would say that Somaliland politics is not an instrument for enhancing and increasing political understanding, nor a catalyst for change, nor the basis for problem-solving, but simply an extension of irrational arguments and ignorance to divide the public into factions that are chained to the ground?,” Hanad inquired.
“As far as there is no willingness to invest in us as citizens, in order to shape our attitude and perfect our discipline, Somaliland politics will not become a system that can move us in the direction that we believe we need to go and keep us grow and learn, and if something doesn’t work for us, teach us how to try something new,” replied Hinbir.
“What is the best thing in Somaliland political system that attracts you most?”
“The best thing that attracts me most and even I appreciate it always is that all those who are in government offices, from head to tail, are not accountable for their actions and decisions. Every one is free to do things according to his or her own outlook.”

Hanad was shocked at how Hinbir hailed indisciplined public servants, a workforce without ethics, government offices with no guiding ptinciples. He got up from his seat angrily, got over himself and sat down suddenly in his seat again, looking at
Hinbir in disgust.

As they say, when in doubt, rumble and when in research analyse, Hanad pondered for a moment before replying. He was imagining how a government in which everyone had the power to do everything according to their own outlook would look like.

An unaccountable government is a government without living lighthouse. This kind of government looks like a tamed camel whose whereabouts may go awry and astray after its anchor has been cut.

A short pause flowed from that scene, in which both men avoided to look at each other face to face. But after a while, impressions became ideas and ideas resumed the discussion.

“What are the most important qualities you want to see in an elected leader?,” inquired Hanad.
“Critical thinking skills, open-mindedness, emotional intelligence, flexibility etc.”
“It is only when we take chances, that our lives improve. The most noble decision that we need to take is to become honest.”
“Mr Hanad, it is untrue that honesty is always the best policy. Being honest is sometimes bad because it can only hurt people’s feelings, and nothing good will ever come out of it, when you honestly state your opinions without regard for others’ feelings.”

“Do you think that the incumbent leader has the qualities such as integrity and creativity?”
“This is an ill-timed question.”

“What type of government is Somaliland?”
“Presidential.'”
“Can you define it?
A presidential system is a form of government in which the executive, legislative and judicial branches are separated. The president is the person who serves as the head of state and the executive branch of the government.”
“If all public servants, regardless of whether they are elected or appointed, run public affairs according to their own outlook, how the common interest be protected?
“It is simple. Somaliland people must do what all other societies in the world did and still do.”
“Discribe how the public can do that.”
“The public should hold its representatives accountable to it through periodic meetings in accord of the provisions of the constitution. But it is a question of when,
not of whether.”
“I do not know what will happen in the future, but one thing is for sure, whatever happens, people can mobilise themselves and make miracles, if they change how they think and envision the future,” Hanad added.
“By the way, what all this has to do with poverty alleviation?,” Hinbir queried.

Life becomes bad the day humans fail to respond to what happens around them, no matter whether natural disasters or man-made calamities are the root cause of the occurences. As they say, “In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of, but in a country badly governed, poverty is not a problem to be ashamed of.” The reason is that living without comforts of life since time immemorial is nothing new to badly governed people.

After those impressive thoughts ran through his mind, Hanad said, “Actually the promise in representation include: I promise to accept responsibility and be accountable. I promise to make others’ growth as important as mine. I promise to communicate concisely and speak with candor. I promise to encourage creativity and embrace innovation. I promise to listen to what the people say. I promise to improve where we are weak. I promise
to protect and preserve the constitution. I promise to ensure that laws are in force in lieu of favors.”

“Every promise,” Hanad continued, “that the elected leaders make during election compaigns is relevant to poverty alleviation, because they are part and parcel of the programs the leaders intend to do. Whether or not they would keep their promises is for you to watch as a voter and as a citizen as
well.”

In the country of “I have been a mujahid,” people would become people only when
they understand each other; when they understand situations; when they understand what matters most to them; when they understand what they share, when they understand what always slows and lags them behind.

To be continued…..

By: Jamafalaag
Hargeisa, Somaliland

jamafalaag@gmail.com

As per usual the opinions expressed in this articale are those of the author and do not reflect the opinions of qarannews.com

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