| |
|
After the previous government of Mohamed Siad Barre was over thrown in the early nineties, the bloody civil war that broke out claimed the lives of many innocent people. To this day the devastation and death caused by the chaos of war has crippled the country and created zonal warlords that have greatly contributed to the lack of peace and stability. Somaliland amid this disorder embarked on a road towards reconciliation and a focus to stabilize their region. This undertaking was supposed to lead to transparency, democracy and commitments to human rights and the rule of law. However, building an institution is much more than creating an environment of peace and stability, which is the foundation of any society to develop. It requires creating an administration that serves the people in providing social services, infrastructure for justice, and put forth economic and developmental plans that would serve the advancement of its people. These include creating jobs, building schools, hospitals, roads, providing quality health care facilities and other social services while creating a positive economic sphere to attract foreign investors.
For the past fifteen years Somaliland has attempted but failed to deliver the most basic services for its citizery. Hargeysa, the capital, once a beautiful vibrant city is today bursting with litter and unbearable infrastructure. The state of the nation did not detoriarate over night. The administration of the late president Mr.Cigaal was an administration of promises and did not change the lives of the masses much, but the utopia that existed at the time and the promise of hope and democracy justified for many the actual accomplishments of numerous things promised. An environment of calm existed however, and one was free to express himself politically without being dragged into the jailhouse. For the past three years the situation has became more dire as Rayaale and his administration took power and stole and looted the treasury. They have changed an environment of once an emerging democracy to one of corruption, mismanagement with the most brutal human rights violations and freedom of speech. Mr. Rayaale, a former officer of the notorious NSS and Qat trader is said to collect a salary of $ 385, 000 a year. This astronomical salary is ten times that amount allotted for the whole Ministry of Justice in Somaliland, to say nothing of other ministries and essential social services and production sectors that are under budget ( Ali Gulaid, Somaliland budget 05). I ts mind boggling to comprehend how this poor administration with a budget of less than $30 m/yr can afford to pay its public servants such a figure, when the per capital income of the average citizen is less than $1/day. Poverty and unemployment is sky rocketing with no adequate means and long term plans to cope. It has been reported recently by UNICEF that the state of health, children mortality and life expectancy is one of the worse in the world (the fate of Somali children). The sudden wealth of this lonely Qat trader has caused many in the community to ponder the type of administration Rayaale and his cronies are presiding over. Instead of taking the high road to development and stability for the people, Rayaale has followed suit to other corrupt African leaders such as Mabuto and in fact seems to out did his former boss Siad Barre . It's hard to believe the people of Somaliland have become spectators of corruption and mismanagement of this magnitude at this day and age by some one who lacks experience, education and integrity to lead. Was the whole idea of installing Rayaale as president a mockery to show the world how much Somaliland has matured where by a non Isaaq can become president for the purpose of International recognition. Where the leadership qualities, honesty and integrity sold for a theatrical episode that delivered a devastating blow for the masses? If this were the sole reason, then we see its fruits, it has failed to deliver the development once sought while making survival difficult for the average somalilander.
Apart from the corruption and mismanagement also Mr. Rayaale and his infamous ministry of interior interpret the constitution to their liking and as they see fit to their agendas. Recently, it has been reported that the minister who was himself a former Qat trader made comments in Gabiley where he sated that it doesn't matter whether the opposition parties win majority in the elections or not, since the presidency and the ministries will remain in Udub's hands, and the only change would be that the government would provide salaries to the new opposition in parliament . This shows the caliper and the intellectual capacity of those who are currently leading Somaliland and the pompous attitude where Rayaale and his associates treat Somaliland as a private corporation which they can run any way they please. As we are getting close to the final days of the election campaign for the 82 seats of the House of Representatives, election laws that curtail the practice by the ruling party to adhere to the elections rules and regulations are being relaxed. It has been reported wide cases of fake ballots and mismanagement, in which the latest is the imported ballots from UAE by a citizen from Awdal region. This raises legitimate concerns about the fairness of the elections. Meanwhile the administration is using public funds and government media for its own benefit to get its members elected. Also the lack of transparency and neutral commission to oversee the conduct of the elections leads to mistrust from the voters about the out come of such elections. Following this path ensures a faulty result in which the current administration can easily call for election victory. Udub has had its days in power. It has been given ample opportunities to prove it is strengths and it has failed miserably in that front. It is a party with culture of corruption and abuse of power. A party that has proven to violate the most basic needs for the people of Somaliland , their human rights to develop as people. It has delivered nothing but devastation and poverty and indeed it proved to be a party that has encouraged quick rich schemes that has terribly contributed to the stagnation of the region. The people need more than just empty rhetoric now. It is time to put the people back in the human map. The citizens understand today that their vote can make a difference in their lives. Thus, they should challenge the status quo and vote for the forces against corruption and mismanagement. Abdelkarim A Hassan , E-Mal: Abdelh1@sbcglobal.net
Copyright © 2005 Wardheernews.com |
