As Somaliland begins its third decade of running its own affairs the harsh realities of life continue much as before. In common with its neighbours the country is dogged by range of issues that prove to be a constant drain on time and resources. Whilst it is natural that many operating in the political sphere have concentrated much of their effort upon the issue of international recognition, there is a real danger that in so doing they neglect issues that affect the lives and well-being of ordinary Somalilanders. Seasoned observers of the country recognize the need for a recalibration of policy and the formulation of a vision of Somaliland, not just for the next few years, but one that will serve the people and region well in the years to come.
With its strong civil society Somaliland is rarely short of people with an opinion. Few countries in the world today have a population that seem as familiar at least with the names and associations of its political class. Engagement with the political process whilst healthy also generates an over inflated view of the body politic and its players. As politicians jockey for influence consensus becomes ever more difficult to achieve and progress is soon impeded right across every aspect of Government. Many would argue that what we are viewing at present is a constant quest for power and influence, but little or no desire for responsibility. Power without responsibility equals ineffective government, which in turn provides the ideal climate for nepotism, corruption and political favours. Whilst much has been achieved against the odds over the last twenty years it is evident that the politicians across all the current political parties appear to lack the vision and will to tackle those corrosive features that erode trust and the idea of nationhood.
Somalilanders and their friends are only too well aware of the impediments to change. Political parties more interested in self aggrandisement than service, ministers whose spouses seek preferment for their relatives, and officials occupying positions of responsibility for which they are poorly qualified. There are some holding high office who are utterly out of their depth. When it comes to political recycling Somaliland is probably a world leader, so often does it recycle its political has-beens; its ministries being awash with the flotsam and jetsam of previous administrations. Jaded and lacklustre individuals reappear so frequently like the proverbial bad-penny that even callow youths loitering on the streets recognise them and their expensive land cruisers. Is it any wonder then that on certain issues the country’s leadership seems becalmed and ministries appear rudderless.
Few people question that President Silanyo’s peregrinations have yielded some positive results, but there is a real danger that the quest for recognition has become something of a fixation, one that negates all other issues. It is in addressing issues at home where Somaliland can formulate the most convincing case for international support. Paramount amongst such issues is the safety and security of the people. Many citizens both urban and rural alike are only too familiar with the horrors of tyranny and war. Policies need to reflect a desire for robust but fair mechanisms aimed at bolstering peace and security. At present the country’s borders are all too porous, the armed forces inadequately educated and trained and there would appear to be no coherent strategy in place to combat and reduce the danger of radicalisation. Somaliland should seek to take ownership of its problems and not point the finger at hostile parties in Mogadishu, Addis Ababa or Puntland.
Once the security issue is tackled foreign investment will naturally flow and with this will come the green shoots of economic development. Rather than wallowing in a rheumy eyed nostalgia for a half remembered past Somaliland has an opportunity to adapt and move forward with confidence – to quote from El Otro Sendero (The Other Path) by Hernando de Soto, the celebrated Peruvian economist; “Nothing will be as it was; the past will not return.”. The country has already made progress in demonstrating to the wider world a commitment to tackle the problem of maritime piracy, but thus far has failed to get to grips with the root causes of such criminality: namely poverty, a lack of education and limited employment opportunities.
Strategic and co-ordinated planning will involve a desire to adapt existing models. Somaliland would do well to avoid the capricious embrace of unfettered capitalism and should aspire to become a centre for Islamic muamalat (Islamic banking). It could take considerable inspiration from leading centres of Sharia Finance such as Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, London and Singapore. Berbera could easily be designated Berbera Port & Special Economic Zone and would be well placed to enable global business and become a dynamo for the country as a whole. Such should be the priority in regard of Berbera and the part in might play in international commerce that it is high time that the Silanyo Government opened informal negotiations in regard of becoming a potential signatory to the Rotterdam Rules (2008) – the Convention of Contracts for the International Carrying of Goods Wholly or Partly by Sea. Those formulating policy will be required to put regional and clan jealousies aside and work for the greater good of the nation as a whole.
To date far too much activity has been focussed on Hargeisa and as a consequence rural communities have suffered and this has accelerated the move to key urban centres. Economic growth will require a skilled work force, along with appropriate infrastructure and legal safeguards. Somaliland also requires much more skilled negotiators when it comes to international trade and diplomacy. At present the allure of foreign cheque books is such that there is a danger that valuable assets and commodities are being sold off for a fraction of their real worth.
Some would question whether the will exists to address the legion of problems that Somaliland faces in what is in essence a post-war situation. It would do well to examine how Britain went about endeavouring to address similar challenges some seventy years ago. In 1941 the British Government commissioned the economist and social reformer Sir William Beveridge (1879 – 1963) to write a report on the best ways of helping society, especially those on low incomes. The Beveridge Report (1942) became a seminal work, a real vision of what post-war Britain should aspire to. Chief amongst a whole raft of recommendations was the desire to rid the country of five ‘Giant Evils’ – ‘Want, Disease, Ignorance, Squalor, and Idleness’. In order to rise to such a challenge the British Government established the Welfare State, a system of universal social provision that soon became a template for much of the civilized world.
Progress as always is a double edged sword. In the rush for economic development there is always the danger of creating a population that feels all the more alienated as the gulf between rich and poor widens. Planners should be exploring ways to ensure the creation of green spaces and recreational areas, something which thus far has been woefully neglected by all political parties. Sport and the arts as a means of bringing communities together has been largely overlooked and rarely if ever features in political and municipal manifestos. Municipal authorities have a public duty to ensure that recreational spaces are set aside and maintained, not as dusty fly-blown dumping grounds but as ‘green lungs’ that help provide a safe place for families and the young to play and interact.
Whilst no one disputes that housing is a priority, imported steel, and concrete high rise apartments are not the answer. Development must be community orientated and housing affordable or else there is the real danger of aerial slums. It is imperative that appropriate safeguards are put in place to prevent the repetition of mistakes made elsewhere in the Developing World. Whilst investment and construction should be encouraged the Government would do well to consider a modest construction tax that in turn could be used to enhance communal facilities especially with regard to water and energy conservation. Anyone who has seen what has been achieved by the likes of Evans Wadongo in the area of solar energy will realise that Somaliland could easily emulate what is going on elsewhere. Centres of excellence need to be established in areas such as engineering as a matter of urgency. With a co-ordinated nationwide planning and development programme there would then be scope for high-end bespoke tourism which would bring in much needed foreign currency.
In rural areas greater use should be made of vernacular architecture, built of local materials. There is scope for far greater emphasis to be placed on local knowledge, as well as the development and celebration of regional skills and crafts. When it comes to the vast majority of rural communities, deforestation along with soil impoverishment and erosion are a real concern. It is a national scandal that Somaliland produces and exports charcoal to countries such as Saudi Arabia. The Saudis do not permit the cutting down of their own precious trees, but are quite content to see a neighbour depleting its own precious stock. It is imperative that there is a nationwide tree and shrub planting scheme. Trees such as Boswellia sacra, Commiphor myrrha, Cordeauxia edulus, Dendrosicyos socotrana and Livistona carinensis if planted in sufficient numbers can help hold the top soil and create moisture friendly micro-climates along with generating various valuable resins for the perfume industry.
It should be mandatory that for every tree cut down at least three are planted. The issue of plastic bag pollution is another problem that warrants urgent attention and Somaliland would do well to follow the example of another small post-conflict state, that of Rwanda. Anyone who has crossed from Uganda to Rwanda will immediately notice the difference in relation to the zero tolerance concerning plastic bags and other items of rubbish.
On the issue of recognition – Inshallah it will come sooner or later. Already many foreign diplomats privately acknowledge that it is not a question of if, but when. It would be churlish to deny that considerable progress has been made, but equally those that talk incessantly of recognition are in danger of missing the point. Recognition when it comes will not cancel out the myriad of challenges faced by the country as a whole. Whilst the Government of Somaliland should keep working towards its great cause, it must be prepared to redouble its efforts with regard to the people it has been elected to serve.
Mark T Jones
Source: Somalilandpress
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