Somali scholars, different experts and persons from around the globe

[NASSIR]

How to Capitalize on Entrepreneurship in Failed States?

 

 

The discussion has reached up to 11 pages. Very exciting.

 

 

Entrepreneurship in Failed States

[NASSIR]

One of the interesting comments

 

 

Author: Hakim Ishak

Posted: 11/25/2004 Email Author

Organization: Can-Som Partnership

 

A Central government has not existed in Somalia for the past decade or so, yet when there was a central government from 1960 to 1991, Somalia had about 17,000 fixed lines. Somalia now has about 112,000 fixed lines as well as about 50,000 mobile subscribers, so says Abdigani Jama, secretary-general of the Dubai-based Somali Telecom Association in an interview with Reuters.

 

Now, while I was reading the article, I kept on asking myself this: How is it possible that when Somalia had a very centralized government structure, namely Barre’s dictatorship, the country had only 17,000 fixed lines whereas today in the anarchy and armed conflict it has 112,000 fixed lines and 50,000 subscribers? The answer is not altogether that surprising, given the fact that in most African countries (former Somali governments included) the so called "state" is despotic, incompetent or unimaginative. Much of the time it is restricted to the capital and surrounding areas, never throughout the whole of the country. Thus, an African central government is not usually in touch (or in control) with vast numbers of its citizens, nor is it able to successfully introduce a macro-level development scheme. Even in cases where the central organs are operating, they usually serve mainly to facilitate the pillaging of the national/local coffers (from foreign aid to natural resources to bank savings) or to repress the citizenry. So much for the argument that the central state is part of the solution. Rather, it is part of the problem as the Somali telecom case above illustrates.

[uchi]

Perhapes, the increase has something to do with the 30% or so educated diasporas?

[Xoogsade]

No, the increase has to do a lot with the lack of corrupt government who stands in the way of progress. The nightmarish economic stagnation of the past and being forced to pursue official papers that would never materialize before people became bunkrupt are about to come back. I remember as a kid the lines at the immigration office snaking through Shibis and people sleeping there for days before they even see anyone who tells them the office is closed. Kuwaan ilaahay hanooga soo gargaaro. Waa daruur Mugdi oo dadka dul taagan and Only god knows what its rain will look like once it pours. There are too many reasons to be wary.

 

We need a whole new generation who understands government is for the people and by the people which is how a country progresses. The fact that the current leadership fought to rule is enough reason to be wary of the future.

 

Just imagine the difficulty people will face if they have to go to one town for everything they need from government? That alone will cause a set back and discontent.

[NASSIR]

Xogsade, good point