 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|||||
|
||||||
|
Somalia has produced so many intellectual snobs who dream good, but do little to make a difference. Now that we have written volumes on the predicament of our broken country, why not plunge into action to save what is left of Somalia. Instead of flogging the tired horse, we need to go into the arena and try to set things aright. As we always tend to see things in better light than those in office, then we must have the determination to serve, even in the capacity of volunteers! The fact that we do not hold a position in the government is not a justification to escape responsibility. It is time for Somali academics to act and forget about theoritical elitist advise which may impede progress and kick things apart. Abdullahi Dool, a well known Somali writer and former diplomat, stunned me when he hand picked a president for troubled Somalia in 2008, months before the superficial and contoversial Djibouti conference, that catapulted a young and inexpreinced cleric on the most difficult job in the world (the presidency of Somalia)! In his well written article "Somalia: In 2009 who can lead the nation out of the mess?" To answer his question, Dool has written: at a time when what our nation needs most is peace and security, there is a leader who has the integrity and wisdom to put the nation before personal interest. That individual is Sh. Sharif sh. Ahmed. The above photo attached! The pertinent question is what makes Mr. Dool to single out the young novice as the magic formula for Somalia's prolonged conflict; when people with more imagination and experience have failed to put the jag-saw puzzle together? What credentials is Sharif equipped with to do the job? Obviously, there is something selective in Abdullahi Dool's queer and undiplomatic pronouncement! Yet, in another article entitled "Why Somalia is in need of an effective government" , he tells us the opposite of what he asserted before- that Sharif and his fragile adminstration is not the way forward! He blames the embattled weak government for corruption and inefficiency; forgetting the almost impossible circumstances in which the TUG operates. By that statement Dool implies organizing and convening another bogus reconciliation conference to install a new TUG equipped with better political miscreants and crooks! This is hard to accept and we should rather deal and cooperate with the devils we know (the present TUG). In a third article by Mr. Dool, "has the TUG become the Somali story-iishub, ii shid, ii sheekee?" , again Dool lashes the government mainly for its misfortunes, the security and political dilemmas facing it! His main argument was that corruption and irregularities were rife in the TUG and that its members care only their selfish interests, than serve the nation! He attacks the government, oblivious of the situation in the country and the atmosphere in which it works. We have a name, but not a full hierarchial system with full responsibilities. That is why we should be patient and support whatever we have at present. Beggars are not choosers! The only good point made by Dool, as far as I can see, is the hasty and controversial maritime memorandum signed by the Sharif/Sharmarke government with Kenya. The rest is more or less abstract elitist advice at best or a gambit designed to taint the image of the fledgling government in Mogadishu. since this kind of attacks will help very little, the backseat drivers of Somalia (the elites) should contribute physically to the sole purpose of saving Somalia from extremism and anarchy. To acheive that, we need to assume leadership role and not that of idle spectators. The idle mind is the devil's workshop! In conclusion, Sharif and his administration is doing all it can for Somalia and the end will justify the means! Despite, its many shortcomings, we have to defend it at any cost, not because it is a good government, but beause it is the only one we can have at the moment! Ahmed Raghe We welcome the submission of all articles for possible publication on WardheerNews.com |
