WardheerNews Editorial
A Somali song goes: “Kani galbay ku kale mooyee!”
“This one is a passé and we have to see what the next one brings!”
The year 2013 would be remembered as the year of terrorist acts at Nairobi Westgate Mall carried out by Al-shabab; regional wars in the Jubbaland that eroded Hassan Sheikh Mohamed’s political capital, and when unprecedented corruption sanctioned by the highest authority in the country raised Western eyebrow, as well as the infamous incident with Yusur Abrar when after only seven weeks on the job as the Governor of the Somali Central Bank she handed in her resignation due to pressured differences with the president and his aides based on high degree of corruption. It will also be remembered as the year when ineffective peacekeeping African troops, alias AMISOM, lost the confidence of Somalis across clan and regional lines.
But everything else pales when compared to the motion sponsored by the President to oust the sitting Prime Minster, Abdi Farah Shirdoon “Saacid”, who was his darling not too long ago; the President himself called their relationship one based on unflinching loyalty.
As 168 members out of the 275 parliamentarians signed a motion to proceed with the removal, the nation is resigned to the eminence of Prime Minister Saacid losing his job in a matter of days. A similar motion to force the Prime Minster (PM) out of his job was unsuccessfully tried six months ago.
This time, however, it is likely that the removal of Mr. Saacid would be final , and no citizen seems to be shedding any drops of tears. The absence of any meaningful support for the embattled PM is in itself a painful verdict, which other ousted PMs, did not have to face.
It is yet uncertain how many of Saacid’s cabinet, one of the most incompetent cabinets in history, would return, that remains to be seen. In the final analysis, all would depend on how independent the new PM would be. If the new PM is as independent as most of the nation expects, most of the current Ministers shall lose their jobs based purely on their incompetent performance in the last one year.
In order to satisfy parliamentary requirements, about 83 legislatures requested that the matter be placed on the legislature’s agenda and be discussed prior to finalizing an action.
A parallel request by the Prime Minster to address the parliament is denied by a majority vote. Whether such a denial of the accused to address his Judges is legal remains to be seen. At minimum, though, such a denial may create a perception that the leadership of the Parliament is in bed with the executive branch. It is also imprudent to humiliate an outgoing PM and this may impact the dignity and solemnity of the very office of the Premiership.
There are also accusations that Villa Somalia is handing down perks and incentives (monitory) to align votes against the embattled PM. In this regard, some MPs, with the hope that they make score cabinet positions, have crossed the ethical line, possibly a breach of their oath, where they have vigorously campaigned on behalf of Villa Somalia.
One sign of relief this time around is that those who signed the motion against PM Saacid are across clan lines – the coalition of anti-Saacid is a broad based coalition. There seems to be a universal disappointment with the inability of this PM to discharge his constitutional powers. Equally the majorities in the Parliament who hail from his own Mareehaan clan are not supporting him to stay.
A team of parliamentarians are feverishly campaigning for this latest ouster, most importantly spearheaded by Abdirizak Juriile (a member of the Dashiishe clan, a man who has in the past set eye on the Premier position many times and a Faustian politician), and Khadiija Mohamed –alias Ilkacas (Madhibaan and a close friend of the President), whereas the parliamentarians that are for the Prime Minster is led by Abdi Shoodhe (Gadabuursi).
The daunting question is, however, whether those MPs who are supporting the motion to unseat the Prime Minster would be satisfied if the President again picks another subdued individual. If that scenario materializes, then the whole effort to unseat PM Saacid once again could lead the current President to consolidate all the executive powers under his control – thus creating an unsustainable system of governance and a perpetual conflict within the executive branch.
There is a high chance that PM Saacid will not survive the motion to unseat him from office. There are strong allegations, however, that the President of Somalia is behind the motion to oust his once favorite friend.
Choosing the next PM from the so-called powerful clan families could create an untimely rivalry within said groups and will exacerbate regional politics, especially the region of Jubbaland. His best bet is to select a competent and less known technocrat who can carry out constitutional duties and still remain independent and not a contributor to the Jubbland crisis.
Mogadishu is bustling and humming with political entrepreneurs and it is already seeing the campaign and the influx of contenders for the Prime Minister’s post. There are many unsubstantiated candidates whose names are attached to big and powerful clan names. Despite roamers and speculations, the President is holding his short list of candidates close to his heart.
Besides satisfying the rigid formulaic power sharing of 4.5 in the country, picking up a competent, independent and less of a politician and more of a professional pedigree should be the Presidents yardstick; choosing the right person could present to the bruised President a rare chance for re-imaging and rebranding his next three years with plate full of unfinished business.
If the President fails to do so and gives the nation of a Saacid 2.0 type PM, the entire exercise of removing him would be tantamount to a mere “shimbrayahow heesa,” or “mocking birds, please sing for me,” as president Mohamed Siad Barre was known to get his moment of political climax. If the past year is any guide to President Mohamoud’s style of governing, its not far fetched that he will select another PM that is ineffective, obedient and dependent on the President personal agenda who is ready to go along with the status quo of the president. In that case the future of the nation will tread murky waters.
WardheerNews
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