By Mohamoud Mussa‏

If a journey of thousand miles starts with one step, then how many first steps we the Somalis, have travelled since our friends in Kenya, in cohort with the UN and western investors chose for us our first TNG, which seems so long ago. In time, we had a number of TNGs and now those same powers gave us a permanent government which came into existence a year ago. Our quest for a resolution to this game of musical must have paid off because now we have a permanent government. But we know better, don’t we?

After decades of tutelage and expertise handled by outsiders, have our governing institutions finally come of age to address the needs of the ruined nation or to at least meet the challenges faced when building a nation? Why haven’t these governments succeeded in actually controlling more than a few blocks of Mogadishu? Even with the support of thousands of African military personnel the government cannot drive out hostile elements and restore a sense of normalcy to a nation that seems bent on self destruction.  Rag tag militias are lately getting stronger, bolder, and more resourceful, even though they aren’t superior in numbers, hardware, or military skill. They roam across the country striking various parts of the south at will, while almost twenty thousand African troops and Somali army units try to maintain some defensive positions in Mogadishu and a few neighboring cities. Its baffling how a contingent of the battle tested well compensated African army units can’t venture out of the Capital once in a while. Allshabab’s safe haven is less than one hundred miles from Mogadishu; why not pay a surprise visit? Could it be that it isn’t in the foreign countries that contribute militaries best interest, too many risks, can indeed be bad for foreign currency exchanges. That must be it, or is it the vested outsiders and the Somali authorities have different outcomes in mind. By now we know the so called Somali Problem is a multi billion industry with both of the aforementioned groups’ hands in the pot. We also know if there is a will, the current hostile elements can be snuffed out of existence at a moment’s notice.

It is suspected by many Somalis that without outsiders’ consent our elected officials can’t undertake any major decisions. It is also understood that huge amounts of money are often kept in neighboring country’s banks earmarked for Somalia, the huge amounts are eventually spent but by whom and for what purposes? Isn’t insecurity still rampant in parts of the country? Are our officials the only corrupt ones? If that is the case, why is the international community wasting scarce resources on the Somali problem when it seems the chances of achieving resolution are very slim? Though I am not suspicious by nature, but I do smell something here surely these Westerners are not dummies, know how to manage money, and when to cut their loss. Is there a hidden grand scheme at work? Did we ever consider our hostile elements are just facilitators for vested interest with plots of their own? If I am off the mark here, then how come the Alshabab of today conduct their destructive business unchallenged since this ‘permanent’ government has been in existence?

Indeed, a one thousand miles journey starts with that first step. We Somalis know have travelled thousands of miles and in the process have made many missteps. We the Somalis have to pause for moment to ponder and to rethink our situation. Are we being confronted with a set of new problems all the time to keep us stray? Did we not establish road map to lead us to where we wanted to go before we took those false first steps? Did we not heed the directions of our friendly international community who have supposedly invested in our well being? Did we rely too much on the expertise of outsiders who though well intentioned (at least at first), but not schooled enough in the nuances and the nature of the Somali Problem that we ended up travelling in circles? Somalis, do we really need thousands of African Troops who are always on the defensive? Won’t professional Somali military units if trained well, paid well on time, do a better job? Remember history we once had the best army in Africa.

Somalis, we have relied too long on the outside world to solve our problems. Somalis, unless we change our thinking and take matters into our own capable yet timid hands, our suffering will continue unabated, and worse yet may find ourselves eventually homeless in our own homeland. Let us take a solid, sound, and well planned first step, with purpose and an end game in mind. Let us start with making the Federal Government accountable to us, the Somali people meaning all Somalis. Let us rid our military units of rapists, thieves and misfits who prey on the people they were charged to protect. Let’s forcefully convince our leaders that corruption and graft are things of the past. Public service should not always be confused with private enrichment.

I was not born yesterday, and am not dumb either. I understand the reality on the ground; however, if change is not imminent, we will be travelling in circles forever. Challenge our thinkers to join the few brave souls on the front today, who are tirelessly fighting and advocating for a better future for Somalia. Where old practices and approaches are no longer functional, new visions and new methodologies, new bold ways of handling our issues are required. Somalis, ask yourselves if you are up to the challenge?

Challenge members of parliament who comprehend the current issues, to study, and analyze in depth the International agreements that Somali regimes are often too happy to sign. Members of parliament, Somali Intellectuals and members of the civic society, question how much stake in our nation you truly hold. Abdi Hosh Jibrell, you are a legal mind and a member of Somali Parliament, yet in the minds of many, your name is synonymous with the abuse of our still incomplete constitution. To make amends for these transgressions I only ask one thing, distance yourself from your influential friends and take into account not their needs but instead the needs of those you and the parliament serve.  Lead a parliament investigation to see how much sovereignty we truly have, and how much of our own destiny we will control. These Western partners spent Billions of dollars over time. This is a lot of money correct? But along with this money comes an agenda that threatens the sovereignty we hold dear.  Abdi Hosh, old friend, we are all counting on you. Abdi Hosh, I hope you are still free from by now a variation of the Somali virus that Dr Ali S Faqi has identified many years ago and that you are up to the challenge.

Mohamoud Mussa
Email:mohadafe3@yahoo.com
Connecticut, USA