A conversation with Dr. C/raxman Baadiyow, and a message to president Farmaajo

[galbeedi]

He is the first elected president in a decade, Somalis every where cheered this milestone that have not been seen for a decade. In fact , since the overthrow of the Somali civilian government by the army in 1969, it is the first democratic ballot by A Somali parliament, even though it"s members were selected in tribal power sharing scheme called 4.5.

 

When he landed at the Mogadishu airport, hundreds of thousands of people, from all walks of life, descended to the streets of Mogadishu for celebration. The talk of the people is " a decade long anarchy is finally going to end" , as everyone expected. There are high hopes for the people who were yearning for rule of law and government. Folks, I am not talking about president Farmaajo, but the equally celebrated and welcomed presidency of the Carta government led by president C/qasim Salaad Hassan. When his motorcade passed Villa-Somalia and went to a Hotel near the hospital were the mentally ill was cared , the people in Kaaraan districts and other neighborhood wondered whether he is checking in that hospital ( Adeer ninkaan xaguu ka tagi lahaa Villa-Somalia Maanakobia ayuu aaday).

 

Today, after 17 years of that failure, Somali parliament have elected a new president with high hopes and expectations. People across the country have welcomed this election as a milestone and change for the right direction. Emotions are a well known trait of the Somali culture , but this welcoming emotions of the new president seem to be genuine.

 

So, we decided to put aside the early emotions and get in to the real business. in order to sort out the real issues facing the new president in the coming months , we did try to consult an experts mind who was not only one of the architects of the Carta government that failed 2000, but he is also a good observer who have witnessed many government failures and adventures in Somalia and in particular Mogadishu.

 

Unlike many scholars who sit, evaluate and write from the ivory towers (Nin Daar Ku Jiraa Daruur Ma Arkee), Dr. C/raxman Baadiyow is one of the handful Somalis from the diaspora who went home , spent time and resources, and built a lasting institutions like the Mogadishu university. He traveled to Hargeisa, Boosaaso (set up a branch in Boosaaso), Hiiraan , Garoowe, Jubba, Djibouti and between. He is a pragmatic politician and academic who understood and studied both social , governance and political issues facing Somalia. He not only talked about the real issues, but went home and contributed in a meaningful way. I consider him a nation builder who risked life to alleviate ignorance and teach a new generation of Somalis in the dark days of Mogadishu.

 

In a round table setting , me and another group of local Somalis , have sat down with Dr. Baadiyow to discuss the road ahead and the implications of the next few years for the new president. We discussed politics, regional geopolitics and some social issues. We all agreed that president Farmaajo is a populist who tapped with the huge disappointments the Somali people have felt with the out going government of Hassan Sheikh Mohamuud.

 

There were many questions, but I will focus those concerning governance, institution building ,competence and region geopolitics. It will not be word by word or actual transcript ,but a summarized version of the conversation according to Galbeedi.

 

Round Table: How about these public campaign promises of Somali presidential candidates promising to fix the nations problems in today's environment?.

 

Baadiyow: First of all, the president can not do any thing by himself. He needs to outline his program and implement his well defines program. Traditionally, a president sings, modifies or rejects programs prepared by his technical team like Prime minister , ministers or public institutions. In order to achieve his goals he needs a competent team to organize and implement his agenda.

 

RT: As you have seen in 2000, C/qasim failed despite the out pouring support from the Somalis, is there any parallel between him and Farmaajo?

 

Baadiyow: when C/qasim landed in Mogadishu, the opposition was weak. We told him after he landed in Mogadishu, to go directly to Villa-Somalia, which was occupied by a few militia, instead he went straight to a Hotel near the old Mogadishu district. It was the first act of his failure. He started with a Hotel and finished with a Hotel. It was the first indications of his failure I wrote in this pages long ago about Muuse Suudi saying..Arreey Haday Bir noqotana waa ka leexahayaa, Haday Bac noqotana waa bujihaynaa(the bold are mine)

 

First, it is clear the parliament have voted for change, but there is also another fact which clearly indicates that some of the vote was more likely against Hassan than for Farmaajo. Second , it will will be difficult to live up to these unattainable expectations without serious work and cooperating efforts by all Somalis. Some times , those same people who are showing their emotional support, will be the first to demand his ouster, if he does not deliver.

 

Finally, the best indications of the failures of Somali presidents are: they always choose someone who is less competent of himself in terms experience, ability, competence, stature and leadership ( mar walba waxay soo urursadaan cid iyaga ka hoosaysa). They do not want someone who is more competent or would shine brighter than them and take the spotlight. leaders talk about building the army, police, public service, tax collection and so on, but these things can be built or organized by competent state institutions not pronouncements or trusted individuals(government is a modern institution, and it needs highly trained and competent people to implement it;s agenda( hebel lacagta ciidanka ha qaado waa ni wanaagsane iyo wax la mida ma shaqaynayso) bold is mine.

 

Farmaajo can only succeed if the men and women he chooses to implement his program are more capable and competent than himself. He can choose his own office aides, but those who would serve and build the government institutions must be chosen by competence and merit.

 

RT: what is the first task of the president?

Baadiyow: he must choose a competent prime minster and give him the freedom to pick his cabinet and do his job. For the last eight years or so , a president from the Mogadishu area , usually picks a premier from the "D block" and quickly a triangle forms. The three angels of the triangle are the president, the Mogadishu business community and the prime minister. In order to set his agenda and isolate the premier, the president more than often, side steps the premier and connects his agenda with businessmen while ignoring the premier totally. If the premier tries to reassert his role and confronts the president, he is thrown out of the office with help of the business oligarchs and the parliament. That arm restringing continues and all important issues of the state is neglected. Jug meeshaada joog.

 

He must show reconciliation and good will through out the country. Good leaders bring harmony and reconciliation after civil wars or elections that divide the people. He must build strong and lasting institutions , and finally , must be transparent and fight corruption within the government and the system.

 

RT: what are the wrong steps that could hasten his failure?

 

Baadiyow: There are reports that the failed group of former governments, including Shariif Ahmed and even some members of the last government are trying to be the inner circle that are trying to direct his agenda, if that is the case, expect gridlock and competing loyalties. He was elected to bring change and usher a new era , but if he keeps the company of the old guard while giving a lip service for change, the euphoria of the public could disappear quickly.

 

RT: would you be willing to be the premier if the president asks you?

 

Baadiyow: of course, if the duty calls , serve , I must. Having said that , I would not be someone who would accept interference, corruption and quarrel. I will clearly tell the president that " I will serve and do a competent work and would not tolerate interference( Si cad ayaan ugu sheegi in uu hawshayda ii daayo, haddii kale imikaba aynu kala joona, ka dibna dariiqa mustaqiimka ayeynu qaadi).

 

RT: there is a lot of talk among Somalis about the presence of the foreign troops in the country and how to build a national army. What would happen if the foreign troops leave today?.

 

Baadiyow: if these forces leave the country today, Al-shabaab will take over immediately. The withdrawal has to be gradual and must be coordinated. The Somali National Army must be rebuilt and equipped, and only competent and credible institutions can achieve that. As we speak we are a long way from the point.

 

RT: how can the Somali state and people remove itself from the entanglement of the competing regional powers?, and what about Ethiopia?

 

Baadiyow: Ethipia already had realized that it can not occupy or control Somalia, and we Somalis can not continue the constant war of fighting them. Now , mutually , we must find ways to co-exist peacefully. The issue of Al-shabaab and security worries of the region is genuine and must be considers as such, so countries like Djibouti, Ethiopia and others in the region, believe Somalia is the place to stop and defeat Al-shabaab before it became a big regional danger and crosses their borders . Having said that, it is the Somali federal leadership and their regional allies who introduced Ethiopia and others to Somalia and would like to continue for different reasons . A leader must govern on the consent of the people and implement their legitimate demands. If you rely on the support of the public , they will in return demand justice, transparency, development and security. Leaders who can not deliver the public demand whether by incompetence or greed , usually find alternative sources of power to keep the in power. That is why Hassan decided to rely on them in his final efforts to keep power.

 

In fact, the idea of relying to foreign powers to keep the power was even used by Siyaad Barre himself. In 1987, rather than make a deal and reconcile with the Somali tribal insurgents against his government and keep out the Ethiopian influence , he made a deal with MIngestu Hailemariam in order to keep his power and eliminate the guerrilla movement. Mingestu did not stop the support of insurgents which eventually destroyed the country. The issue is legitimate leaders do not need the support of others to rule among their people.

 

Finally , the 30 million Somalis in this region of horn of Africa must find peace prosperity and trade with hundred million Ethiopians who are 60% Muslim and thrive. We must build our country and find ways to co-exist peacefully with our neighbors. A democratic and competent Somalia does not anyone to keep it save, but it's own army and people. I do not blame others for our weakness and inability to defeat terrorism and build institutions.

 

TR: how about the gulf countries and Egypt?

 

Baadiyow: Egypt have been using the Somali blood for a while. There are clear facts that indicate Egypt was one of the main countries that forced Somalia to wage the war of 1977. Because of the Nile issues, they have being pushing as to war for a long time. It was Gemal Abdel Nasser who convened the 1964, Cairo agreement which made the colonial borders permanent, yet they still kept pushing as for war behind the scene. If we have to wage war and shed blood, it must be done by our own decision, not by the proxy efforts of others. Why would we deal with leaders like C/caziiz SISI who is murdering his own people.

 

In my opinion , UAE ( united Arab Emirate) is waging a business war. They are playing different games but the crest of their interest is mostly business. When they supported SISI of Egeypt, they usually claim of their desire to defeat the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt, but they were against the idea of Mursi and Egypt making Sinai a free port zone which could attract business around the world. With hundred million people and the tourism culture , Dubai and the frictional desert kingdom could loose both business and competition. They have been fighting with Djibouti , they destroyed Aden and many ports in the region. Their ultimate goal is to keep their business interest and eliminate competition( They do not produce any thing and anyone with nice ports and beeches can set up a free port..bold emphasis are mine).

 

So The Somali state must look it's interest. The middle east is in big trouble and things could get ugly. Iran itself is in turmoil. There is a battle between the moderates and the extremists who are waging wars in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and many other places. The moderates went the hardliners to leave Iran , fight these wars and eventually loose, so they could take the helm. They have also a large ethnic minorities that could explode any time. On the issue of Berbera, that port could thrive and succeed without the gulf money.

 

RT: how about corruption in the system and how to eliminate.

 

Baadiyow: fighting corruption and showing transparency are among the top issues facing every Somali leader. There is a lot of resources within the country. The Telecom companies in Mogadishu alone could provide the government millions of dollars revenues if collected properly. If you show the public transparency and hard work , they are willing to sacrifice their lives for the greater good.

 

TR: How about the Somali regional government and their efforts to build government institutions and deliver services to people?

 

Baadiyow:. The regional governments came from the international efforts to fix the Somali problems and force some form of regional institutions in the local level. Local people were expecting services and institutions, while some are better than others most have became a tool carried by the leader in his bag. Look at the South West regional state, it became a one man institution. If there is parliament leadership Shariif Hassan will be the one deciding, if there is a regional president, he will lead and only him, and finally, if there is presidential candidate from that region it will Shariif Hassan but no one else It reduced the whole concept of the regional state to one man. The rest are not that much different. Soon people will be demanding transparency and service delivery. I do believe that should be serving the needs of the people not the leaders. few years ago , with groups of politicians , I went to Kismaayo to avert the tribal issues of 1991 from rearing it's ugly head again and taking the community apart. .

 

RT: How about Somaliland and their apparent dysfunction and other issues.

 

Baadiyo: First of all unless the problems of the south are sorted out security wise and other issues in Mogadishu, it is a premature to discuss the union. It will futile for Somaliland to throw itself in unstable place were Al-shabaab insurgency is active in many parts of the country. As a peaceful place, you do not immerse in a conflict zone.

Having said , I think the people of Somalaind have reached a stage where in the near future for the south to extend an olive branch. Unemployment are at the highest levels, there are no apparent developments that lift the economy and the people are fed up of the constant quarrel that could bring bad things. The Somali government could take huge steps by appointing a prime minister from the north which could change the whole political landscape, but I do not think that will happen. The conflict with the Somaliland elite not the people had started after the union of 1960, and it has taken different shapes throughout the years. I think a genuine reconciliation from the Somali leadership of both sides should repair those wounds.

 

Rt: let us discuss some of the social issues . I do believe the Islamic movements and leaders have shown to be a weak link, that brought nothing but hardship to the people, so do you think that we must avoid the so called " Wadaad"?

 

Baadiyow: I do agree the idea of labeling people as " Wadaad" or oher names. I would like the Somali people being addressed as a citizen (Muwaadin Soomaaliyeed) without any names. Throughout the years we have seen people claim as " Wadaad" and then trying to run away the label for political expediency. Look at Hassan Sheikh, he was a member of the non violent movement Islaax, and in 2006, joined the Islamic courts and became those waging the war against The Ethiopian supported government. Now after he won the office, he became the closet leader of the Ethiopian government in order to stay in power, doing exactly the opposite of what he did when he was " the Wadaad". These kind of people are opportunists who could wear any shirt.

 

RT: how about the large number of Somali women in the parliament?

 

Baadiyow: Iy is a good step taken forward. There is no Quraanic or Hadith tradition that could deny women for position of leadership. If you compare where we were in Carta two decades ago , it is a good progress. With time there will be more changes in favor of women's role. There was this story about a Somali elder who after he has been asked to nominate a women to parliament, and he said , I would not be answering in the here after about a woman in the parliament (Adeer Qiyaamaha Bilcan ayuu Baarlamaan geeyey la i dhihi maayo). With education and time a lot will change.

 

RT: would you talk about social norms and the weakness of the public institutions.

 

Baadiyow: there is a huge difference between personal responsiblitis and social responsiblities. In the western societies, usually they do not focus on the individual level or his personality, what they emphasis is the larger socitial good of the public, like: do not steal, damage property, respect others and don not break the law ans so on. That is why the things the public share are working. On the other hand we we focus the person , how good that person is , or how is honest , decent and God fearing which are all good human traits, but what counts is what you contribute in the larger society. If you good that will serve you, your family or your here after, but what also counts are how you behave in public office, or issues that you share with others ( hadaad qof wanaagsan tahay oo wanaagaaga aad gurigaaga iyo shaqsiydaada la joogta aday kuu gaar tahay, laakiin mushtamaca wanaagiisa iyo waxa dadka idinka dhexeeya sida aad u gudato ayaa umdda wax ka bedelaya, hebel waa nin fiican oo tukada oo edeb leh , wanaagaaga gurigaaga la joojag, aniga waxa wax ii taraysa sida aad hawsha ummadda ka dhaxaysa u gudanayso).

 

If we are individually good by a lager numbers, why things that we share publicly are not working or in bad shape?, because rather focus on the social responsibility of the public at large, we are focus on personal levels, and most of the nations that focus on that issue have weak public institutions and systems. When we started Mogadishu university, we asked the students to pay a small amount of money to cover for the teachers, utilities and other services. We hired good and respected professors and told them that what ever these students could afford will cover your salary, so you must hold on your side of the bargain to show up o time and teach.

 

After while, some of the most respected professors, even some Islamic scholars keep showing up late or even missing classes , yet they did not know that they were earning illegal money( xaaraan in ay cunayaan oo wiilkii lacagta bixiyey aysan class kii imanayn ma garanayaan). So ,after while we took steps to deduct money every time they miss a class. Initially they were shocked ,but things got better. While these people were honorable and good individually, they lacked the larger societal responsibility, so we must put emphasis the larger social responsibilities than the individual ones.

 

That is the summarized version of the conversation. If there is any question we will pass to Dr. Baadiyow.