Is there a leadership drought in Somalia?

[Wiilo]

Somalis currently discuss leadership qualities in every social setting. The question of leadership has emerged as the Somali reconciliation conference successfully leading to the creation of Somali government. Leadership is vital, to the success of any government or organization and is paramount to our daily life either at work, home or socializing, It is common to hear Somalis highlighting that high quality leadership is vital to the success of the government, which will be formed in Kenya. Collins new English dictionary defines “Leader as a person who rules, guides, or inspires othersâ€.

 

Every political/group leader in Kenya can claim that his qualities fit in the above definition; because every one of them (formerly known as Warlords) proclaims that he rules, guides and inspires his followers. In fact, these individuals themselves have already started to talk about leadership skills and would like to be judged on their achievements not on the harms, which they inflicted to the Somali people, as they made U turn from Warlords to Lawmakers." However it is not an undemanding assignment to spot an individual that acquires the leadership characters either by nature or by developing and understanding of the issue.

 

Leadership style and how it's viewed, is where the leader can play a substantial function. The degree that a leader can influence others or at least have a situation that allows him/her to control the situation is vital to the success of any organization. Currently there are over seventy presidential candidates and one would expect that they produce their policies and strategies to deal with the challenges ahead. However, either 275 members of the parliament nor others who are currently involving the process are demanding to scrutinize candidates' reasons of wanting to lead the nation. Without accountability or scrutiny, candidates will have the opportunity that they wished from the first place, hence the increase of candidates.

 

Front-runners of the current presidential elections are doing their best to convince members of the parliament in a different ways, some are concentrating on getting alliances that can do the hard work for them, some are approaching directly to the MP's, while others are contesting for the race in order to capture the media attention with a view of becoming a member of the new cabinet. It is evident that no candidates can win the election with a support of his own clan affiliated members only, therefore, candidates are aware of the importance of MP's as they are making the ultimate decision. If the behavior of a leader is seen to be a good behavior and has a respect with people then the leader will enjoy a wholehearted support.

 

In order to evaluate those front-runners, this paper attempted to address their behavior, actions and results, as they are also very important features when it comes to evaluating the success of a leader. However, after discussing with friends I decided not to publish their weaknesses and strengths for obvious reasons. Therefore, I will leave it to you to explore the issue in your own terms.

 

If a leader wins the hearts of minds of his/her followers by providing security, justice and equality therefore supporters will be content to assist their principal. However, judging the present leaders this is yet to be proven, as every leader has problems within his own clan affiliated members, let alone the nation. The present political leaders do not have the necessary qualities to lead the nation, therefore, it is paramount that international actors together with Somali individuals to promote and advocate the importance of leadership qualities.

 

Leadership qualities

 

Leaders need to prove that they have a good relationship with their followers, as they need to lead them. Leaders have to demonstrate that they are role models and lead by example. Great leaders know that they do not know everything and feel that they can learn from their mistakes and have a willingness to admit mistakes. Great leaders are those who understand the complexity of tasks and some times to change or alter their decisions if the circumstances change. Therefore, it is vital that leaders to be flexible and have an open mind. Motivation, persuasion, confidence, assertiveness and mutual respect and other qualities are all very important. Great leaders should have those qualities in order to become a successful leader.

 

The quality and effectiveness of a great leader is inevitable to come out and people will notice by the outcome of their actions. The selection of the right person to be a leader is very important. Great leader recognizes the importance of building a trust and the need to possess excellent communication skills, especially when talking in public, as actions need to match words. If a leader is an approachable, willing to listen and have a policy encouraging participation at all levels will greatly help his/her leadership. The way a leader communicates with people and leads them can play a big part in building a trust. As we have seen around the world there are times that one person has to make a decision, especially when there are crisis and their decision are crucially important.

 

John Gardner (1989) described some of the characteristic features of a leader as:

 

Physical vitality and stamina

Intelligence and action-oriented judgment

Eagerness to accept responsibility

Task competence

Understanding of followers and their needs

Skill in dealing with people

Need for achievement

Capacity to motivate people

Courage and resolution

Trustworthiness

Decisiveness

Self-confidence

Assertiveness

Adaptability/flexibility

 

John Gardner (1989) On Leadership, New York ; Free Press.

 

Most of the known Somali leaders do not have the above leadership qualities and it is difficult to find a leader that partly meets the above requirements. I will leave it to you to properly address each of them with a tick sheet comparing the above characteristic features. Therefore, the future of the Somali government will have difficulties to overcome the challenges ahead. Since the collapse of Siyad Barre's regime most of the Somali intellectuals have fled the country to exile and now are citizens of other countries such as Europe, America , and Arab Countries. Therefore, it may well be possible that the future leaders are in the Diaspora, nevertheless are they (Somalis in the Diaspora) ready to contribute to their country of origin? If so who is responsible to find them? All these questions can only be answered if Somali intellectuals and the international actors are ready to take the driving seat in the Somali politics. Somalis are still waiting to see an effective leader and the question is “What are the obstacles preventing potential leaders to emerge?â€

 

Obstacles preventing effective leaders to emerge

 

There are many factors preventing potential Somali leaders who possess the leadership qualities becoming forward to partake in the current political process conferences to air their views. Some of these factors are:

 

Public apathy

Politicians and the political process

Resources

External forces.

 

1) Public apathy

 

There are many reasons why citizens are not willing to participate, it could be individual reasons or it could be that they do not believe and trust their leader's agenda and priorities. On occasion citizens are reluctant to become involved unless they can see their own individual benefit before they commit. There is also a perception that if people engage community involvement and challenge actions of clannish they might find themselves and their family being targeted by group leaders and get no help from other Somalis. The current failure in every aspect, powerlessness to take an action and a lack of confidence that anyone else could have contributed to the feeling of apathy.

 

The sense of political/group leaders know best has led on may occasions to the all too familiar words of “apathy†becoming the enemies of communities and the policies of their leaders. Many people still do not trust any institution unless the leader of that institution belongs to their clan. The main reason for this is either fear of abuse of power by the state and its public resources and victimization or gaining special privilege for lucrative economic and/or political gains.

 

2) Politicians and the political process

 

One obstacle preventing new leaders is politicians and the political process. Politicians often believe that they are the true representatives of their clan/nation, therefore, would know the needs of the clan/nation. However, if members of the clan were involved in decision-making process within the clan or the government, this would be interpreted as threatening or unnecessary. Somali politicians have enjoyed the power of making decisions, without consulting of Somalis. This trend is showing a continuous pattern and is preventing communities to recognize and accept to share this power with day-to-day citizens. Some politicians perceive that if there were greater involvement from the citizens for the process of policy making, this would have an impact on their role as politicians.

 

The present political leaders have no clear political agenda other than the ultimate realization of a political seat. The impact of this unstructured political havoc is a constant power struggle, prolonged crisis, increased local insecurity, unemployment, poverty and escalation of the violence. Since leaders are not accountable to their actions and behavior their political deliberations are prone to conflict.

 

3) Resources

 

Historically Somali politicians secured their seats by spending a considerable time and resources. This allowed them to benefit high profile status and wealthy. Politicians used to pledge to their clan for unrealistic promises, however, when they do not deliver, there was no accountability and enjoyed in the power. Then the question arises from here is that why promise if you cannot keep to your promises? The answer is very simple, who cares if you can successfully get away.

 

ne of the biggest obstacles preventing a new leader to come out with in the community is the lack of resources. As we have witnessed the current group leaders are not the true representatives of their clans and will not allow a new leader to come out with in their clans. However, if the potential leader has the resources to influence his/her clan members, then he/she will have greater chances of challenging or even sometimes can overthrow the current leader. Due to the poverty, corruption, nepotism and self-interests have prevented viable consultation, debate within the society. Historically, Somali politicians gained recognition within their clans by bribing clan leaders in order to gain a support and even some times creates a hostile environment to advance his/her interest. Some group leaders are just doing that at the moment with a hope of becoming the future leader of the nation and have in their mind the old style of unaccountable leadership.

 

The poor quality of leadership has resulted the culture of corruption and the misuse of the power. Leaders are also taking advantage of the current situation with regards to poverty and the lack of education. Most of the leaders have a vision that one day other countries will recognize his power and award him financial, moral and political support. Therefore external forces are encouraging the current mayhem and awarding those who violate human rights issues. Can we blame external forces for everything?

 

4) External forces

 

Somalis believe that if their leader is supported and have a good relationship with international actors then he/she is presentable to them. Most of the current group leaders would welcome any talks with the international communities whereas they may refuse to accept invitation from other group leaders in Somalia . International actors, especially neighbors have their share in contributing the current situation in Somalia . The international actors could have invested potential individuals or groups whose capacity can have huge impact towards a social change that Somalis desperately need.

 

Somalis believe that without the support from the international actors the situation in Somalia will get worst. However, international actors might see their role differently, and believe that the solution is within the hands of Somalis. It is time that Somalis to realize their full potential and come up a solution to end the current mayhem and disorder, rather than looking for help to the international actors. The time has come to start talking between Somalis with a view of resolving the problems.

 

Following years of brutal clan warfare that devastated the country, external forces have played a role and helped some group leaders by providing, resources, moral and political support. This resulted that group leaders in the country to distance between themselves and to think that they are enemies of each other. It can be argued that external forces are responsible for the lack of communication between group leaders and have contributed to the current lawlessness and anarchy inside the country.

 

The current political situation in Somalia requires a leader who has the ability to take a more strategic view. Even though the international communities have made an effort to find a solution to the problem, by sponsoring the Somali peace process, currently underway in Kenya, however, their method is not the right one as it only focuses on group leaders rather than encouraging the civil society organizations and individuals who have made a significant difference and improvements to Somalis in the country.

 

The international actors have made it clear that the solution has to come within Somalis and then they will help to build the bridge. However, it can be argued that the international actors are not ready to help Somalis and are waiting their chosen moment as we have witnessed post Transitional National Government in Arte , Djibouti . Impartial international actor who can influence group leaders is paramount to ending the suffering of Somalis.

 

Conclusion:

 

Leadership style and how it's viewed the leader can play a significant role. The present political leaders do not have the necessary qualities to lead the nation, therefore, it is paramount that international actors together with Somali individuals to promote and advocate the importance of leadership qualities.

 

Current leaders are not role models and cannot lead by example. Somalis need to understand the importance of a great leader and the complexity of tasks and some times to change or alter their decisions if the circumstances change. Future leaders need to show a great degree of flexibility and to move away the phenomena of looking for personal gains. Great leaders should have the necessary leadership qualities in order to become a successful leader.

 

The paper recognizes those factors preventing potential Somali leaders who possess the leadership qualities becoming forward to partake in the current political process conferences to air their views and would recommend that Somalis and international actors to pursue this and to study further with a view of promoting or advocating the issue. It is also recommended that the international actors and Somalis to examine their role towards Somalia and to come up a strategy to overcome the current mayhem in the country.

 

Somali political leaders should understand that Somalis are fed up of their tricks and would scrutinize for their actions. Apathy is the enemy for communities to be involved citizens. The present political leaders have no clear political agenda other than the ultimate realization of a political seat, and this has to change. Leaders should be accountable for their actions and behaviors at all times.

 

External forces should stop helping some group leaders by providing, resources, moral and political support. The current political situation in Somalia is a multidimensional phenomenon, addressing it successfully requires a leader who understands this multi dimensional.

 

This article was written on Hiiraan.com by Mr Abdirahman Omar Osman ( Eng. Yarisow)

Wabillaahi Towfiiq.