Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 23:53:13 +0200
Somalia: Hassan's Presidency two years after 2012 election-Editorial
Sep 15, 2014 - 12:14:04 PM
After eight years of transitional governments, Somalia got a permanent
government that enjoys wider recognition in September 2012. Civil society
activist and novice in politics Hassan Sheikh Mohamud swept to power but at
public places citizens are debating his presidency two years after the hotly
contested presidential election in war-torn Mogadishu.
Among the questions besetting political ring are, what are the achievements
of Somalia Federal Government?, Did Mohamud deliver on promises expressed in
fine oratory in September 2012? And what are the general public expect from
President Mohamud in the coming years?
Sources familiar with Somali politics say, Mohamud has yet to translate
presidential speech into practical policies while some may argue the
government did at least something.
Security
Though, militants fighting for Al Qaeda's largest network in Africa fled a
string of strategic towns in southern and central Somalia, central
government was unable to create an environment conducive for developments
and recovery.
At the beginning of 2014, Al Shabaab intensified attacks on military and
soft targets, mainly in Mogadishu where the Federal government is based,
killing popular officials and storming heavily militarized zones including
Villa Somalia Presidential Compound, parliament house, supreme court
building and national intelligence base.
Weak counter-terrorism policies as well as the visible clout of former
warlords are believed to have fuelled the growing insecurity which continues
to undermine already-established vast outreach.
The killing of many lawmakers in the Federal parliament exposed the frailty
of security apparatuses and the sacking of officials in charge of key
offices from the job has not potentially abated deep-seated culture of
terrorism.
Rampant corruption and International concerns
On 16 September 2013, International Community endorsed Somali compact in an
effort to let Somali political leaders usher in permanent order and rebuild
the war-ravaged horn of Africa nation with colossal amount of financial
pledge.
Somalia was expected to inject financial support into stability, development
sector, social services improvement, economic boom and speeding up of
federalization process, nevertheless as of yet much more needs to be
implemented.
Rampant corruption which turned public institutions to a patronage system
became stumbling block to the handover of funds being allotted for Somalia
at Brussels.
The resignation of Central Bank Boss Yusur Abrar whose fiduciary
responsibilities went to presidential aides in October 2013 dealt blow to
Mohamud's administration and shortly Turkey temporarily stopped cash aid to
Somalia in February 2014 after reports of funds misappropriation surfaced.
About 80% of revenues generated from Adan Ade International airport and
Mogadishu seaport remain unaccounted for.
UN monitors and International diplomats also pointed accusing fingers at
Mohamud and his right hand woman, former foreign affairs Minister Fowsiyo
Yusuf Haji Adan.
State-building, Federalization
According to critics, Mohamud is anti-federalism figure and exercised
blatant hostility to show off lackadaisical power in the course of his
presidency. So far, only Jubaland proceeded to functioning Federal state
within the Federal Republic of Somalia and deeply embedded political
division continues to sabotage the formation of southwest and central
states.
Federal Government expressed its keenness on influencing the state-building
process by either voicing support for functionary politicians or installing
spoilers, notably former warlords to prevent loose federalization from
implementation.
When Mohamud came to power in 2012, he locked horns with former Puntland
leader Dr. Abdirahman Farole. Pressing ahead with fragmentation moves,
Mogadishu-based Federal Government blocked Sudanese scholarship positions
and made south-central regions a hub for foreign aid.
The hottest political crisis loom for central state consisting of Mudug and
Galgaduud as the state that forms the tip of horn of Africa, Puntland seeks
explanation over the inclusion of Mudug in central Federal state map.
Day-to-day activities
Federal Government of Somalia created job opportunities for university
graduates in Mogadishu, failing to exert credible authority on other
regions. Outside Mogadishu, Puntland and Somaliland established local
initiatives and boosted own governance system.
"Somalia is not Mogadishu and the federal government shouldn't send
international aid only into Mogadishu," Abdullahi Mohamed, a local political
analyst in Bossaso port city told Garowe Online.
Without putting the Turkish-funded development projects under the spotlight,
social services infrastructure such as health facilities and schools in the
other parts of the country face formidable difficulties and remain maligned.
Achievements
Extensive efforts led to the arrival of foreign diplomats, with over dozen
countries opening embassies in volatile Mogadishu between 2013 and 2014.
Meanwhile, areas acquiesced to strict rule of Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab
militants are now remaining under the control of Somali government troops
aided by African Union peacekeepers.
Although Al Shabaab lost much of southern and central Somalia in intense
military campaign, security threats linger over Mogadishu over the death of
Al Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane who was killed in US drone attack.
The years ahead
Somalia is unlikely to host direct elections by 2016 when Mohamud's tenure
of office would expire. Given the growing security concerns, poor
federalism, economic hardship and sluggish governance, Somali leaders need
to adopt a new roadmap to stop the country from getting stuck on the roadway
ahead.
Federal Government has yet to normalize ties with Puntland which
re-suspended cooperation with Mogadishu in late July in a dispute over the
formation of an autonomous state in central Somalia.
Turkey-brokered bilateral talks between Mogadishu and Somaliland's
separatist administration could be another conundrum for Mohamud over the
coming two years and unless Mogadishu crafts viable political strategies,
things will be getting worse.
Poor leadership of Mohamud who last week celebrated his second anniversary
in office can make impeachment an unavoidable and most possible option
before 2016.
Image
FEATURED
(image/jpeg attachment: image001.jpg)