File Photo/Somali Times
By Professor Abdiwahab Sheikh Abdisamad
Dysfunctional Federalism
What kind of federalism does Somalia have where state leaders act like independent rulers? Imagine the governor of Lagos telling Nigeria’s president not to land in Lagos, or the governor of Wajir telling Kenya’s president to stay out of his province’s affairs. Wouldn’t they both be arrested for such seditious insubordination? The so-called federalism in Somalia only fuels division and undermines national unity, ensuring Somalia never stands on its two feet again.
Imported Violent Extremist Ideologies
Extremist ideologies plague Somalia, importing violence that neither reflects Islamic values nor Somali culture. These ideologies only serve to shed the blood of innocents, exploit vulnerable minds and cripple the nation of its next generation. This violence is foreign to the region’s populace. If not countered by a strong Somali nationalist cause, it will destroy Somalia from within, driving it further away from the peace and unity, Somali ancestors fought so hard to protect.
Clannish Administrations:
The scourge of clan-based power grabs in little enclaves continues to dominate Somali politics. Somaliland is controlled by the Isaaq clan with no provision to any other clan in the vast lands it claims to rule, Puntland is solely for the Majerteen Mohamud Saleeban sub-clans, South West State although marketed as a Digil & Mirifle constituency has always been run by Mirifle , Hirshabelle State is a Hawadle and Abgaal affair, Galmudug is a Habar-Gidir dominion and Jubaland remains between a contested Marehan-Ogaden duopoly where all the other Somalis living within them have no rights to govern, what a shameful system to uphold! Compare this confusing maze to General Siad Barre’s Supreme Revolutionary Council which consisted of Mohamed Ali Samatar, Hussein Kulmiye Afrah, Ismail Ali Abokor, Ahmed Suleiman Dafle — all were from different parts of Somalia.
Was the council ever defined by their clans? No. It was a national body with a vision for the whole country. Why did the many alphabet rebel movements fight this order only to replace with an ugly disjointed menace? They have no moral authority to lead anything! The clan-based governance we see today is a betrayal of national vision and the path to nationhood.
Secessionist Ideology:
The term “Somaliland” is used so freely in popular media today, emboldening a flailing secessionist movement that only a few elite benefit from. Pandering to them only encourages the balkanization of Somalia. Every time we call it by that name, we legitimize it. If tomorrow they call themselves The Republic of the Horn of Africa, will everyone start addressing them as such? The government should maintain that there is no such thing as Somaliland, it is Northern Somalia. Separatism is an ideology that seeks to fracture the country. Somalia is one nation—let’s stop empowering this cheap division. Unity must be the guiding principle if you are to rebuild the state.
Ethiopian Interference:
For more than 25 years, Ethiopia has played a disruptive role in Somali affairs. By supporting every region and faction in the land against the center, Ethiopia has continuously undermined any attempts at reviving a unified Somali state which it deems a threat to their hegemony. Their involvement only multiplies every problem faced, ensuring that instability persists. Ethiopia’s unchecked influence is a direct threat to Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political unity. It must be confronted if Somalia is to move forward.