Editor’s note: WardheerNews gravely mourns the loss of the late Ahmed Mohamed “Qaybe” on November 26, 2013. Mr. Qaybe was one of Somalia’s giants in the world of diplomacy and statesmanship. In recognition of his leadership, ability and talent in the field of legislative process, WardheerNews ran an editorial piece in April, 2005. At a time when governance in Somaliland was facing what could have been insurmountable challenges, the late Qaybe delivered the right legislation that saved Somaliland from a political crisis. “The compromise and consensus, which was finally reached, was also in large measure due to the political acumen and skillful leadership demonstrated by Ahmed Mohamed “Qaybe.” His contributions to transitioning Somaliland from a contested to a shared political system was possible only because of people like the late Qaybe; Given his long resume, he was eminently qualified to the public office he was holding as has been demonstrated by the efficient and dedicated manner with which he discharged his responsibilities at a difficult time (see bellow). Sharing this editorial piece ran by this web magazine about a decade ago, we think, is a living testimony that the late Qaybe earned our undivided respect not only to say rest in peace (RIP), but to mourn the loss of a national asset.
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WardheerNews Editorial
April 09, 2005
The recent adoption of the bill governing the upcoming parliamentary elections in Somaliland, which President Rayaale had earlier referred to the House of Representatives for review, constitutes a major breakthrough and significant milestone on the road to democracy, stability and good governance. This is indeed a special tribute to the commendable role played by the distinguished members of the House of Representatives and the Council of Elders (Guurti ) who have shown a determined effort and commitment to break the deadlock that persisted between Rayaale and the parliament for some time over the upcoming elections.
The compromise and consensus, which was finally reached, was also in a large measure due to the political acumen and skillful leadership demonstrated by Ahmed Mohamed “Qaybe” and Suleyman Mohamoud Adam “Gaal”, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Council of Elders, respectively. Both of these gentlemen are eminently qualified to the public offices they currently hold as has been demonstrated by the efficient and dedicated manner with which they discharged their responsibilities.
Somaliland’s serious internal problems (both political and economic) that could have given any excuse for the parliamentarians to hit the haywire notwithstanding, the leadership of both Houses of the parliament has shown last week that experience really pays off and there is no short cut to it. The tact and finesse with which they moved the bill through the often-disheveled Hargeysa’s House of Representatives and the Guurti is admirable.
In particular, the leadership of the parliament deserves our notice and citation. For example, Mr. Qaybe has a long professional career in which he held senior administrative and diplomatic positions. He was the Clerk of the former British Somali protectorate’s legislative council until the union with Italian Somali Trusteeship, former Ambassador to Washington, Moscow and London, and finally was appointed Foreign Minister towards the end of the Siyad Barre regime. He is a man of high credentials and unique qualities of leadership.
Combining their political skills and administrative experience, the leadership of both Houses of the Parliament have successfully tackled challenging parliamentary issues with reputable professionalism. What has transpired in the passage of the bill governing the upcoming election in Somaliland should serve a model for a Speaker and parliamentary leadership: It is a model that serves not as party men but as umpire and guardians of parliamentary practice and procedure. Thus, one may say indeed Somaliland Parliament is shepherded by men of professional experience and political maturity.
It is this varied and plethora of experience that set off a clear line of separation between the leadership of the Somaliland Parliament and their counterpart in the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP)–the Speaker of the Transitional Parliament of Somalia, Mr. Shariif Xasan and his deputies.
Unlike the leadership of the Somaliland parliament, Mr. Shariif Xasan is less trained for the role and has only a limited education up to the lower grades of High school. He has no relevant professional or political experience. Prior to his current position, he was a former trader in the Qat business and a contractor with dubious business connections to some of the Mogadishu warlords.
Since his election as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Shariif Xasan has proven to be a man with less understanding of parliamentary process, an incompetent individual and, who above all is also biased and partisan. Instead of placing primacy on how to contribute to peace to the war torn country of Somalia, promote the process of healing and democratization, he chose to sow the seeds of division and discord.
The recent brawl in Nairobi among members of the House of Representative was undoubtedly the result of lack of effective leadership and, hence, the blame must be on the shoulders of the leadership.
Moreover, once the fist fighting started on the 17 th of March at Nairobi Regency Hotel, the Speaker should immediately have stopped the proceedings and adjourned the meeting. The fact that he did not take action and instead proceeded to conduct the voting in the midst of a historic brawl demonstrated his lack of sense of the gravity of his responsibility. This was wrong and improper. It also seriously undermined the image and the prestige of the Speaker–especially when one considers that his partisan voice was captured in some of the audiotapes.
There is a sharp contrast between the approaches of the Speaker of the House in Somaliland and that of the Transitional Parliament of Somalia. What Mr. Qaybe have done to help Somaliland offset a potential constitutional crisis is admirable. The late Tip O’Neil, who is often associated with the unenviable position of “Speaker of the House,” in America, for he held that job for several decades, would have said that holding the position of the Speaker of a Parliamentary House is cumbersome and a murky business. Mr. O’Neil was known to accommodate the late president Ronald Reagan who was his political nemesis. This position requires a tenacious and tolerant person to do the job right. But, a person with inferior skills like that of Mr. Shariif Xasan would definitely create more headaches and confusion which rather complicates what could have otherwise been a normal government business.
The Transitional F. parliament has a lot to learn from the house of representatives (Golaha Wakiilada) and Council of Elders (Guurtida ) of Somaliland and their capable leaders, Mr. Qaybe and Mr. Suleyman Mohamoud Adam, (Gaal). In both these officials, you have a representation of clan interest combined with knowledge and professional quality. But in Shariif Xasan and his deputies, you only have a clan representation clothed with unlimited powers. In other words, Shariif and his deputies represent the very forces that have already destroyed Somalia, only this time with [legitimate] power in the name of a parliament.
To be an effective leader, in addition to recent apology by the parliament to the Kenyan government and the world, the speaker should be guided by the following norms and criteria:
• The Speaker of the TF parliament should scrupulously observe and enforce the established rules of procedure in the exercise of his functional duties.
• The Speaker of TF parliament should be above party politics and maintain respect, integrity and independence of the office he holds.
• The Speaker should guide the discussion in strict compliance of the rule of procedure and must avoid taking part of the debate. When the Speaker intervenes in a debate, it must be only on matters of procedure to restore order in the House.
• The Speaker must establish parliamentary committees and subcommittees as soon as possible. Above all, the office of the speaker must be provided with institutionalized permanent secretariats responsible for the day today administration of the parliament to help sail through all the issues that the country is facing.
WardheerNews urges that many leaders of quality must come forward to assume more national responsibilities to meet the current challenges in governance and democratization, in order to assist the re-establishment for durable peace, security and stability in which Somalia urgently needs.
WardheerNews
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