Is CARE An International Organization Or Part ‎Of Somaliland Ministry Of Planning?‎

By Faysal Diriye, Ottawa, Canada

Recently, Mrs. Amina Sheikh Mohamed (Amina-weris), the wife of the opposition party (KULMIYE) leader, Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud (Silanyo), has lost her potential employment opportunity with CARE, due to a possible interference from Somaliland’s Minister of Planning. As alleged, the Minster of Planning, Mr. Ahmed Haji Dahir, with determination and elbow greasing made sure that Mrs. Amina didn’t succeed to be employed by CARE. Finally, due to an internal pressure from the Minister, CARE has hired a non-Somali Lander. What is going on? This is shocking beyond belief. Is this the rebirth of totalitarianism? Déjà vu all over again!

As much as I love Somaliland, like any other regime in Africa, it is not immune to corruption. In addition, African politics include a political witch hunt not only against the opposition party members, but also against their family members. However, without jumping to the gun, let’s give the government the benefit of the doubt, and hope the allegations are not true.

But if the government fails to disprove these allegations beyond any doubt--if it fails to vindicate itself--then not only is it unjust to treat Mrs. Amina the way that she has been treated, but this would also be the most disgusting--the dirtiest politics--that we have yet seen. The question is: Did Mrs. Amina loose her employment chance with CARE due to other reasons? Or does she happen to be a scapegoat for a regime bent on revenge and that was what the mysterious “internal issues” was all about? Whatever the case was; how did CARE get dragged into the mud?

There is little doubt some of the international agencies, much sooner than anticipated, familiarize with the internal politics of Africa. Having mastered how the local system works, they often get their share of the pie--looting the international funding that they supposed to help with the needy people of Africa.

In addition, some of the agencies, over time, become part of the local system as opposed to remaining an international NGO(s). I’m in no way implying that CARE fits this category, however, CARE’s lack of explanation about its refusal to employ Mrs. Amina raises eye browses, to say the least. With that said, CARE must explain what it meant by “internal issues” in regard to Mrs. Amina’s unsuccessful attempted employment. Or at least CARE must give its version of the story. It owes an explanation to Somaliland people. It must come out clean of these allegations, unless, its members have became naturalized tribes men and women of Somaliland.

Speaking of tribes, I’m neither supporter of any political party in Somaliland, nor do I have tribal affiliations with Mr. Silanyo’s or with his wife’s tribe. But do I need to have a tribal lineage with Mrs. Amina, or share some kind of political ideologies with her, in order to speak out of what I believe a moral bankruptcy, if proven beyond the shadow of doubt? Of course not! Common sense is all required.

With that said, Hargeysa must come out clean of these allegations; the ball is in your court. Likewise, I have nothing against the Minster of Planning’s tribe, nor do I have any personnel vendetta against him. Before this incident, I didn’t even know about his existence, let alone knowing that he is a Minster.

Mr. Ahmed Haji Dahir, as an important member of the cabinet, has the responsibility to respond about this issue. Failure to do so would imply what many people have suspected all along is true. That is he has masterminded the dirty politics that cost Mrs. Amina’s employment opportunity with CARE. There are two sides to every story; however, proofing that the government didn’t influence CARE’s decision would require more than a press conference with the local media. The worst-case scenario, what if the allegations are true?

If the government fails to shed some light on this scandal, then this issue has--indeed--raised the political stakes of KULMIYE party. This incident might be a blessing in disguise. And no worries, we will settle our differences through the ballot in 2007.

In short, Somalilanders appreciate the outstanding job that CARE has done for their country. CARE and the international NGO(s) must be cautious about taking sides and being influenced by the government. These NGO(s) are international agencies, not part of the Ministry of Planning. The international agencies must stay away getting dragged into the issues that could jeopardize their credibility. To the Minster of Planning and CARE, the ball is in your court; you must come out clean of these allegations.

faysal_diriye@hotmail.com

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