Pathologically Power Hungary

[Darwish]

A country that led by a socialist who had not himself read and perhaps understood the Koran but knew someone who claimed to have read Tawney and in the result of that praised the socialism ideology. The country’s existing press was muzzled. Unchecked, political leaders ceased to make any distinction between the state's reserves and their own bank accounts. Family values came to mean the President's family skimming the nation's G.D.P. The first victim was the independence of the courts, and with that gone the integrity of the public services disappeared too. In order to hold onto power the army was cosseted, but spending money on the military meant there was less for effectively educating children or agricultural extension or primary health care. Soldiers were paid; teachers and nurses were not. Taxes on the honestly entrepreneurial were hiked. People with different ideas to that of the regime were jailed and their property dispossessed. The national industries often resulted in their assets being slipped into back pockets. To retain popularity or at least acquiescence in urban areas, food prices were held down which discouraged farmers. As young boy I retain several images of the process. The brand new high-tech hospital in Somalia, with no money or skill to repair the equipment, no doctors to provide treatment (having been trained, they'd emigrated to earn more money in America and Europe), no money for food, no drugs for the patients. Meanwhile in the surrounding countryside, illness and disease caused by iron deficiency laid the population low. Much of these were because of pathological power. I remember most clearly - etched in my memory so that its vivid images return to trouble me again and again - provides a bleak paradigm for this article.

Because of lack of incorruptible ideas, unfailing generosity and sympathy to others and radiating an aura of profound peace and the understanding that comes with inner reconciliation and harmony are some of the many reasons we are suffering this chronic disease.

One would ponder is it tribalism that caused the political meltdown of Somali state or there is another underlining factors that the untrained aye cannot see? Personally I believe the later. Though one ought to acknowledge that the mechanism that had been utilized to demolish the country was tribalism but indeed the goal was to attain power. The elite “I will call those (the pathologically power hungry)” used this mechanism in order to reach their ultimate goal- Power. The masses went along with the idea and declared war against who ever they deemed to be the enemy. If one examines the ever changing political situation of the last couple years one would learn that the idea of “ constant and prime enemy” is sheer Somali political paraphernalia. For example, ****** and ***** fought against one another in “those hard to forget days” early 1990’s; the animosity between the two seemed at the time beyond comprehension. To the political commentators astonishment came after couple years. Some of the very enemy tribes got their troops together for the sake of power and captured Kismayo. This and other overwhelming evidences suggest that the trouble between the “Somalis is purely power”- The problem is not between the Somalis but indeed the warlords whose benefit from the devilish acts of killing sinless young children to satisfy their pathological power hungriness-. Whatever pleases them regardless of their ill-defined interest, they will go for it regardless of tribe boundary. This tribe issue had merely become a hollow- sounding mantra that is repeated ad nauseam in order to make us all feel better. It saddens me great deal that we are still falling for this Machiavellian plan – It is even flippant to employ Nicccolo Machiavelli’s name here, none the less it pre-occupies …..- after 10 odd years of anguish and distress. What dismays me even more is it looks like a different drama each time. But it is the same cast of characters playing their part with tedious familiarity. The confrontation again ends with bloodshed.

It seems not only the public falls for this witless reasoning (tribalism) but also highly respected scholars who teach at esteemed institutions. They went under the impression that the fundamental etiology of the problem is largely due to tribalism. However, that is pure myth. Without a greater understanding of the basic issues involved, Somalia will remain enduring misery, mayhem and chronic disorder she had been suffering for the last decade.

A patriarchal illusion that had been inherited from the past governments still remains in the minds of Somalis. It is almost chimera and sadly the main driving force of the Somali clan warfare. This classical Somali illusion is; if one’s kinsman becomes the head of the state then the whole clan will become affluent This was the case in previous governments one way or the other. But what we don’t realize is that, this would not be the case due to awareness of the general public; ironic but true- or perhaps not.

 

It is really sad that a country that does not lack educated people to be in this critical situation in 21 century. Those who have time to read around social or political theories come may across some of current political theorists arguing that Somalia is not state. What does that make you feel my dear reader being denied Allah given right as nation?

The situation in Somalia itself is remediable, since it is human beings whose make history and not the other way round. I would like to believe so for the sake of Somalia that I am not alone with this felling. There are enough young Somalis all over the world. And plenty older ones who are thoroughly and totally exasperated, dismayed and sick to heart at -Pathological Power hungry that has gone from one disaster to another without ever being accountable, without ever telling the truth, and without ever being clear about its goals and aims (except for their own survival). But the question is what can we do about this on going tribulation?

Upon writing this piece I don’t quite expect an electrifying impact on your political ideas but merely to engage rational reasoning and ponder about the current Somali political saga by comparing the world around you.

[Sophist]

I like the shaky anlysis!.;

[SOULSEARCHER]

The only solution to this never ending trouble is start with the youngest generations. then work your way up if you plant the seeds of hope, the trees of peace and prosperity will grow. it won't take overnight to change our country at that rate. but I would rather have a slow pace than standing idle and watching the countined suffering of my people. if everyone took the time to help one child in getting some education, shelter, or any assistance then that child shall grow and inshallah do the same for others. that is the only way I see hope for us as a nation, state, or whatever.