Unelected Guurti, tribalism, corruption, khat consumption, lack of work ethics, lack of foreign policy planning and progressive abandonment by its educated is the curse of Somaliland. This curse has left Somaliland an indelible situation for years to come and there is no end in sight that this calamity will reverse its course as long as this President and his cronies [Guurti] continue to reject any issues passed by the legislators [Parliament]. The President has selected the Guurti from different tribes and subtribes who are loyal to him and his destructive policies which have corrupted the system by bribing the Guurti to continue the status quo.
The President and his Guurti accepted the notion that the country, by unelected Committee who defames the elected Parliamentarians and protects the President and his henchmen [Cabinet] who steal from the country. It is the duty of the Somaliland people to declare that their government is not only broken, but it has also become destructive to their future. Therefore, they are obligated to nullify this present government, his Guurti and institute a new Administration.
Those were the rights and responsibilities written in the Somaliland Constitution, stating that Government derives its power from the consent of the governed. Whenever a government becomes destructive to the governed, it is the people's solemn right and duty to alter or abolish that Administration.
I believe the Constitution gives the people of Somaliland the tools to take the necessary steps to re-evaluate their constitutional rights. Somaliland could either be led to a disaster by these non-elected Guurti in the Legislature or the Parliamentarians, who are as fed up as we are, can change the direction of this country. If they are endowed with a crumb of humanity or a sense of wisdom, the Guurti must reverse this path of political destruction of undermining the Parliamentarians and thus, the will of the people. The people should take back their legitimate power and their country.
This dichotomy of power, which is mutually exclusive, should be reconstituted by the people of Somaliland because they are the government. Government is for the people, of the people and by the people.
The other curse that Somaliland is suffering from is that the most educated have left the country. The country is suffering from brain drain. The people who took the power are those who used to be with Siad Barre's regime. The education and experience of those who have left is needed in all aspects of the infrastructure, from education, health, politics, mass media, reconstruction, environmental regulation, the legal system, the police, immigration, banking, postal services, agricultural development and business development.
It's not only Somaliland that has lost its educated people. It is happening all over Africa. The reason why the educated and intellectuals surrendered their responsibilities is that they face a danger or encroachment from the dictatorships that rule the continent of Africa since they control the medial and the press. They are subject to ridicule or may be imprisoned if they raise their voices to better their countries against the corruption, mismanagement of natural resources and the turning of clan against clan. There is a Somalia proverb that says, "MEEL AARR KA KACAY AFOOR FADH FADHISAY". "A place where a lion has moved away, a male dik-dik sits around pretending he is the king of the jungle." The moral of this Somali saying explains that the whole continent of Africa is slowly sinking into a cursed abyss.
Foreign policy is the relationship between Somaliland and other countries throughout the world. Effective foreign policy must always work to better the lives of each and every Somalilander. This includes efforts towards recognition, foreign aid to rebuild the infrastructure and to build alliances that will benefit Somaliland. According to the foreign policy of Somaliland, there are no actors who could enhance its image because this present Administration has no concept of international foreign relations.
Another curse that has happened to the Somaliland population is the excessive consumption of khat. As we are all aware, every man of legal age chews khat every day. It is good to relax after a hard day's work, but like all things, khat should be used in moderation. If one chews khat to excess, one's ability to think, act, work and function is impaired. It also costs money that could be better spent and has long reaching health effects such as heart, liver and psychological problems. The same is true of excessive khat use or any other drug. It has been estimated that Somaliland transfers $300,000 per day and $9,000,000 per month in hard currency to Ethiopia for khat. After the chewing of khat for 8-10 hours, no work is being done in the country. Somalilanders are asking, "Are we recognized yet?" This money could be better used to hire legal lobbyists at the UN, the AU, and European Parliament to present our case for recognition in the international world. This money could be better utilized in building the infrastructure and developing employment for the people. Trees could be replanted with this money. Children could be educated with this money. Children's sports programs could be started with this money. Somaliland people must prioritize work ethics as that without hard work, the country's future is bleak. If the Somaliland people do not wake up to their current situation of draining their personal resources with khat, there will be stagnation in developing the minds of the coming generation. As other African and Asian countries have advanced in science, education, agriculture and technology, we have become advanced in the chewing of khat. I suggest a Commission of enlightened Somalilanders should study the effects of this product on the wellbeing of Somaliland and come up with a solution to save their country and their people.
The future of Somaliland is in the hands of its people. There was once an old man who was sitting in front of his house. Two young boys approached him and one had a little bird hidden in his hand. They asked the old man if the bird was dead or alive. The old man replied, "You have the power of life and death over the bird in your hand. If you squeeze your hand, the bird will die. If you open your hand, the bird will have life." Somalilanders have the power of life and death of their country in their hands.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ibrahim Jibah Ismail
Oakland, California
08/25/2008
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