By Sharmarke Ali , Virginia, USA

Politics is a struggle between opposing ideas. It is an art of the possible. Usually it is aimed at interpreting society inspirations for development and progress. Politicians may differ in the means of achieving political goals but presumptively genuine political leaders maintain same goals as to the wishes of the society that they intended to lead. In Africa it is the parody and not the art of real politics that reigns in most of its countries.

That is why we have in Africa the paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty, and scarcity in the midst of abundance. An epic of good politics has never been practiced in Africa, became as elusive as ever, and remained upon the history-bereft. Thereof, African people, without exercising their power for change remained divided by hate, stay dormant, and by sheer caprices loyal to their politicians but on the other hand they begrudge their politicians’ lack of introspection, commitment to vicissitude, and failed to emulate the western politics hagiography, which has inspired western societies to technological and social advancement.

On the contrary, my Country Somaliland, yet an unrecognized but accomplished all of the requirements for an independent country, is on the upswing ONLY through the hard work of its vigilant citizens despite SL politicians who are deeply indulged in the ubiquitous and inherently African politics.

SL opposition party KULMIYE, a place of oxymoronic ideas and its leader’s almost preternatural talent to feign empathy, is one of the two exceptions treading on a fine line between the archaic habits of the African politics and innovation. As far as its political idolatry goes, by far the most pervasive, ruinous, and in deed of toppling is the unquestioning worship of the SNM and dichotomy of the SL population into two opposed classes in respect to their SNM loyalty. By necessity, for KULMIYE to remain viable, the fantasy must be large and all pervasive. Within it, SL citizenry must believe that ONLY ex-SNM rank embodies the traits of a bona-fide leader who cares SL. KULMIYE has thus erected this walled and fortified domain of delusion, with all its attendant, noxious myths of the sacrifices of SNM.

After all one would think that since we have SL entity almost the past 16 years that the country and the people would have had its fill of self-glorification and rhetoric. What do rhetoric such as “SNM Mujahid” translates to

When SNM members in KULMIYE are engaged in self-centered gains to undermine the existence of SL people’s effort? Where is the line to be drawn between having empathy for SL to be an inclusive and thus recognized country and giving tacit approval to what is dividing this SL nation and thus the demise of the entity?

KULMIYE must have the answer but the right answer that sounds plausible with SL nation’s aspiration and wishes and bring forth the accoutrements of an appropriate socio-political culture that define party’s policy. Moreover, jingoistic individuals in KULMIYE rank who have gained seat in the party because of shared “ego-centrism” and not having public interest by heart and principal, are up to their lickspittle lips always rehashing SNM card to claim SL people’s success solely for their party while the truth points otherwise. Though KULMIYE may seen by many as viable replacement to the ruling party to lead this country but there is SL western adage that says, “ Daadka biyihiisa hore aan arkayaa, intiisa danbe ku sugi maayo” roughly translated, as “Seen the type of water (dirty) that is carried at the mouth of the torrent, I would not wait for its tail-end”.

Wait a second!!! Is it only KULMIYE that is doing unsanctioned activities? The answer is NO. The ruling party UDUB too has its share in the socio-political quagmire. The ruling government has institutionalized rampant misappropriation of public funds and the corruption is biting deeper into SL economy. It has been acting, since elected, as close-knit mafia group type that wrought carefully their play together to blunder the state coffers. Every stone in the current affairs of SL that is turned up slithers out yet another legal gaffe or blunders committed by the incumbent administration. Nothing that they had promised during their election-year pandering is materialized; roads, economic infrastructures, and health are not improved and remained as ruinous as before.

Individuals among the governing body may see the moral light and voluntarily give up their unjust posture; but, as Reinhold Niebuhr has reminded us, groups tend to be immoral than individuals. All their deeds served up this land and its people on a platter to be devoured by poverty, disease, and unemployment. As the election for a new government is fast approaching, it remained to be seen if this heartless body is back again at the helm.

Neither UDUB nor KULMIYE rank have shown SL people the traits that is needed of a bona-fide leader who can lead to care this fledgling country and its people; UDUB rank is hell bend to enrich them of off our people’s misery; and KULMIYE rank is threatening the existence of SL unity vital to SL existence for self- interest. And that is what makes them both bilking their creditor (SL people).

Now is the right time, as election-year is at our doorsteps, for any conscientious SL citizen to wake up from his/her reverie and vote for neither of these two wantons but give his/her vote to support the glaring hope under UCID wings to salvage what is left of this country and for the “right” change SL people needs.

sharmarkeali@yahoo.com