Somaliland Citizens Must Fight Against Corrupt Government Officials

M. Abubakar

I remember very well in 1960 I was a young boy and our elders in East Africa celebrated the Independence Day. Even though I was born in East Africa I felt proud that my motherland has at last become independent. Again in 1991 when the elders declared the rebirth of our nation every Somaliland citizen whether born in Somaliland or other foreign countries was very happy and proud.

I have been following events in Somaliland. It is disheartening to hear stories of malpractice, nepotism and corruption since 1991. Your newspaper must educate the masses of Somaliland of their rights. As long as people pays taxes they expect the government to try and rebuild the infrastructure with whatever little they have. Somaliland leaders whether it is the president, ministers, parliament and the elders who are in the government must establish a code of conduct that makes it clear who ever misuses public funds must be brought to justice. That is the only way to have a clean government. Unless Somalilanders build a transparent government, which is accountable to its citizens, I am afraid the country might follow the same direction of the former regime of Somali Republic. Corruption, nepotism and misuse of public funds is a big crime. Any leader who steals public funds must be brought to justice.

The leaders of Somaliland must campaign vigorously to remove corruption. Failure to do so will result in public funds being exploited by few individuals who have connection to the system. There must be fairness in awarding tenders.
The majority of our people live in poverty. The government must do all its best to try to revive hospitals, infrastructure and schools. With proper planning, even with the current budget, they could do wonders every year.

Last, I admire your newspaper for being frank and your criticism of whoever does wrong in the government. It's a shame when a minister of petroleum can be fooled by Asians pretending to be businessmen and signing a contract with them. My best advice is he should resign. We have well educated Somlilanders in Europe and America who can freely give their knowledge to help our country. The problem is those illiterate leaders are afraid of them, wrongly thinking their position would be taken by the well educated.

M. Abubakar

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