Three Top Somali Government Officials

[ANWAR]

It has been less than two months since the holders of the three top government posts in Somalia relocated to Baidao and started the process of mending fences, after a protracted conflict. It is unfortunate, however, that they are traveling incessantly out of country, rather than paying attention to affairs at home. They are attending yet another conference in yet another country. How can they justify such frequent travel, when their homeland is so politically and financially bankrupt? Somalia is suffering from a devastating draught and famine at this very moment. It is a country that is in continuous chaos and turbulence—a county that is at war with itself and that has more problems than solutions. It is essentially a country without a functioning government and institutions. Isn’t it fair to ask who obligated them to attend every conference, every country, every time? Other countries send one leader at a time to select out-of-country meetings. For the past year and half, the Somali people have witnessed too many desultory trips by the president and the prime minister, and you, Mr. Speaker, should avoid developing the same habit.

 

 

Speaker of the Parliament Sharif Hassan "The Somali people expect the speaker to be different"

 

The Somali people expect the Speaker to be different. They expect him to exercise good judgment and astuteness. He should not arbitrarily join the traveling circus that chases a ghostly acceptance and respect from the international community. He will receive real esteem, when the world sees his dedication and leadership at home. The Parliament needs strong supervision and the Speaker’s full attention. Furthermore, the Speaker should be developing a clear and concrete roadmap for the Parliament to follow—a roadmap that sets a firm foundation, through a bold and forward-looking strategy of attainable initiatives.

 

The following are only a few of the steps the Speaker should take, without delay, to regain lost momentum and support and to move the Parliament’s program forward:

 

Parliament:

 

Develop, define, and implement the mechanics of the Parliament including its structure, rules, regulations, and procedures.

 

Assert and exercise leadership over the Parliament, articulate a vision and goals for the Parliament, resolve issues before they become crises, and make tough decisions decisively.

 

Appoint a core of competent advisors to assist in dissecting difficult issues.

 

Insist on accountability and transparency from Parliament, committee members, and government officials in general.

 

Establish the means to evaluate and appraise achievements and progress for individual Parliament members, committees, and government institutions.

 

Protect the authority and the independence of the institution of the Parliament from undue government influence, external interference, and violation to its jurisdiction.

 

Ensure that the Parliament’s committees have the materials and technical resources they need to work efficiently and adequately, including skilled staff and training.

 

Make clear to any warlord Parliament members that there will be severe consequences to pay, if they continue to instigate or participate in hostilities, including the loss of their Parliament and government seats and possibly a referral to the international court system.

 

Protect the sovereignty of the Somali nation through the powers invested in Parliament and the legislative process.

 

Government:

 

Exercise oversight of the government, ensuring that the president, the prime minister, the ministers, and all other government officers are accountable to the Parliament and to the Somali people.

 

Nullify all agreements and treaties entered by the government without the consultation and the approval of the Parliament. In addition, negate all appointments unilaterally made by the president and the prime minister.

 

Spell-out the details of the Aden Agreement between you and Mr. Yusuf for the benefit all Somalis particularly your supporters.

 

Close the door to any peacekeeping force to Somalia at this time, because it will automatically open the door for military intervention by Ethiopia.

 

Reject the lifting of the arms embargo on Somalia because it will ignite new hostilities and increase the influx of new and more sophisticated armory into Somalia.

 

Institute a legislation that defines the separation of power and responsibilities between the government and the Parliament.

 

Plan and prepare for the inevitable, the future, beyond Mr. Yusuf and Mr. Gedi. Both Mr. Yusuf and Mr. Gedi are short-timers due to their incompetence and self-destruction.

 

Other:

 

Accelerate the peace and reconciliation process in the Bay and Bakol regions, and in particular, the city of Baidao.

 

Assist with the establishment of a united functioning administration, including a police force in Baidao and the surrounding areas, to serve as the bedrock for the rest of the country to follow.

 

Ensure that a significant portion of any aid given to Somalia is used to bolster the Parliament and to establish public administration and services in Baidao, not only the seat of Somali government, but the city that suffered the most in Somalia’s civil war.

 

Work diligently toward resolving the conflict in Mogadishu, to ensure peace and order in Baidao and the rest of the country.

 

Develop national peace and reconciliation programs and initiate them one city, one district, and one region at a time.

 

Entreat the volunteer efforts of all Somalis to actively support and help the Parliament through the use of their intellectual and professional skills.

 

Invite various Somali groups to Baidao for consultation, in order to amass support and commitment, including elders, educators, professionals, members of civil society, and Diaspora community members.