By Khaliil Abdirahman H. Hassan
Editor’s Note: In an October 2016 article, Khaliil delivered a scathing critique of Somalia’s broken system for attaining public office. He argued that political leadership has become a haven for failures—individuals unfit for governance, lacking qualifications, and blind to the nation’s challenges. Through skillful, artistic and powerful narrative, he contended, these public office aspirants are incapable of addressing Somalia’s crises, perpetuating instability and stagnation. The article underscored how unqualified governance and a low bar continues to derail progress, emphasizing the urgent need to reform the political system to prioritize competence, experience, and true public service.
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Election season in Somalia has always been a spectacle of ambition, theatrics and at times, outright absurdity. This time is no exception. As the election looms, the scramble for Somalia’s presidency is well underway. Men and women, both at home and across the diaspora, are throwing their hats into the ring, many with questionable credentials and audacious aspirations. One such aspirant caught my attention in the most unexpected of places—a modest Somali restaurant in London.
The encounter was as amusing as it was disheartening, shedding light on the unsettling trajectory of Somalia’s political culture.
From Uber to Villa Somalia
Two weeks ago, Omar (a pseudonym) was navigating the streets of London as an Uber driver. Today, he claims to be a candidate for the presidency of the Federal Republic of Somalia. His story, while incredulous, is not unique in Somalia’s contemporary politics. Over the past two decades, countless individuals have emerged from obscurity—often after decades abroad—to declare their intentions to lead a country grappling with immense political, economic, and social challenges.
But Omar stands out for his sheer lack of self-awareness. At first glance, his transformation is striking. When I walked into a Somali restaurant, while looking for a place to sit, his appearance immediately caught my eye: an impeccably dressed man with a confident smile. Gone was the Omar I once knew—a casual, almost disheveled figure. This new version radiated self-importance and ambition. After a warm greeting, I couldn’t resist teasing him. “Omar, what’s the occasion? Are you headed to a wedding or something?” He chuckled and replied enigmatically, “Not quite. There’s something bigger brewing—have a seat, and I’ll tell you all about it.”
A Lofty Declaration
Barely had we settled into our seats when Omar dropped his bombshell. “Did you know I’m running for president?” For a moment, I thought he was joking. “President? Of where? The United States?” I quipped sarcastically.
Unfazed, he responded, “I haven’t gone to work in two weeks. I’m preparing for my trip to Mogadishu to announce my candidacy for the presidency of Somalia.” Noticing my skepticism, he reached into his pocket and produced a plane ticket, as if this mundane piece of evidence would validate his lofty ambitions. As I absorbed this revelation, I couldn’t help but interrogate him.
Somalia’s presidency is not merely ceremonial; it demands leadership, vision, and credibility—qualities Omar seemed to lack entirely. The Candidate Without a Constituency, I wasted no time in voicing my doubts. “Omar, you’ve never been involved in politics. You’re an unknown figure. How can you possibly expect to win?”
With a confident smirk, he shot back, “Wasn’t Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also an outsider to politics before he became president? Did you know who he was before his election?”
Admittedly, I hadn’t. But the comparison was flawed.
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, for all his initial obscurity and short falls, brought with him years of experience in education and civil society. Omar, by contrast, was a taxi driver with no discernible qualifications or leadership experience. Unrelenting, I pressed him further. “But you’re a taxi driver, how can you leap from driving an Uber to running for president?”
“Taxis are honest work,” he countered. “Do you know how many former taxi drivers in the UK, Australia, and the U.S. have held senior positions in Somalia?” He proceeded to name-drop a few notable figures, including Abdirahman Farole, the former president of Puntland, who was also rumored to be running for Somalia’s presidency. But this wasn’t just about his profession.
It was about the broader issue of competence and preparedness. Somalia needs leaders who can navigate its complex political landscape, tackle its security challenges, and restore its fractured institutions. How could someone like Omar, with no track record of public service, possibly deliver on these critical needs?
Inflating Credentials,
As we debated, a man entered the restaurant and greeted Omar warmly, addressing him as “Engineer.” The term caught me off guard. “When did you become an engineer?” I asked, genuinely curious.
Laughing, he replied, “Oh, I completed training as a plumber a while ago.” “Wait, so now plumbing makes you an engineer?” “Of course! Anyone with technical skills qualifies as an engineer,” he declared confidently.
This exchange epitomized the troubling trend among members of the Somali diaspora who return to the country donning inflated titles and fabricated credentials. Whether it’s “engineer,” “doctor,” or “professor,” these self-appointed titles are often used to mask a lack of substantive expertise or experience. For Omar, the title “engineer” was a convenient badge to bolster his credibility—or at least, the appearance of it.
The Real Agenda
As our conversation wore on, it became clear that even Omar didn’t truly believe in his presidential aspirations. The cost of registering as a candidate alone was beyond his means, let alone the astronomical sums required to bribe MPs and secure votes.
His true objective, I realized, was far less ambitious. By declaring himself a presidential candidate, he hoped to gain visibility and, ultimately, secure a parliamentary seat. It was a calculated, albeit cynical, strategy: make enough noise to attract attention, then pivot to a more attainable goal.
Before we parted ways, Omar asked me for a favor. “Can you help publicize my campaign? Write about me in the media, make some noise.”
I promised to write about him, though I doubt he’ll appreciate the outcome.
A Mirror of Somalia’s Political Crisis
Omar’s story is not just an amusing anecdote. It reflects the deeper issues plaguing Somalia’s political landscape. In a system rife with corruption and patronage, ambition often trumps ability, and noise often drowns out substance. Candidates like Omar are symptomatic of a broader malaise—a lack of standards, accountability, and meritocracy. When anyone with a plane ticket and a dream can declare themselves a presidential candidate, it cheapens the entire process and undermines the credibility of Somalia’s political institutions. Somalia deserves better. As the country faces critical challenges—from insecurity to economic stagnation—it needs leaders who are not only competent but also committed to genuine reform.
The likes of Omar may provide comic relief, but they are no substitute for the serious, visionary leadership the country so desperately needs. In the end, my encounter with Omar left me both amused and disheartened. Amused by his audacity, but disheartened by what it says about the state of our politics. It is a sobering reminder that Somalia’s path to stability and prosperity will require more than ambition; it will require integrity, competence, and a genuine commitment to serve the Somali people. And as for Omar? He will likely fade into obscurity, another footnote in the long, winding story of Somalia’s political circus. But his story should serve as a wake-up call: the time for mediocrity is over. Somalia’s future is far too important to be left in the hands of those who treat leadership as a game or a personal entitlement.
Read the Somali version by Khaliil A Hassan
W.Q. Khaliil C. Xasan
Email: khaliilha484@hotmail.com
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