The political quagmire that The Republic of Somaliland is presently stuck in is the product of the total absence of the System of Checks and Balances that any democratic process should have. Secondly, people have spent all their time and energy discussing the symptoms of the disease, but it appears that we have almost ignored to address the real causes of the problem. As a result, the entire nation is moving around in vicious cycle with no light at the end of the channel.
The situation has many similarities with what we faced in 1960. After almost 50 years, we are once again loosing vision to address the real issues at hand. In 1960 we failed to cling to our hard-won sovereignty and gave away our independence. This time we are failing to create a democratic government which is the key to regaining our lost independence. It is worth noting that the culprits in 1960 and in 2009 are quite the same – ignorance, ill-fated bogus politicians and tribalism.
I am of the opinion that it is the responsibility of any elected or interim President to reverse this situation by filling the gaps in the constitution and power sharing process. However, only an interim president who is not entitled to participate in the upcoming elections is the only person who would has the POWER, INTEREST AND THE MOTIVATION to carry out such drastic and revolutionary reforms. Accordingly, Somaliland should appoint an interim president who is capable and has the credentials to spearhead major political and constitutional reforms aimed at paving the way towards stable, sustainable and enduring democracy.
This nation could be saved only if the future president with the assistance of other constitutional bodies enacts laws aimed at clearing the ambiguities in the constitution, and hence preparing the country for more balanced institutional work relationship. Only by acting boldly and decisively could this nation do away with the divisions created by the present three parties that are at each other’s throat.
The purpose of any interim president should be focused on the following points:
• Amend the constitution and other Laws of the Land in the areas of setting up an independent Judiciary; regulate Guurti & presidential elections and terms of office etc.
• Review of the Checks and Balances System with respect to managing State affairs.
• Prepare the country for Fair and Free Elections.
The following are some of the ideas that I believe should be Top Priorities of the major reform needed to save this nation from the ongoing and anticipated self destruction.
1. Appoint new judges for the Supreme Court. All the judges should be jointly appointed by the president, elected Guurti and Lower House of the parliament. The term of the judges should for LIFE, unless a judge resigns on his or her own or impeached by joint parliament session.
2. Empower the elected legislative body – the Parliament. The legislature should be given the power to question and sack government ministers and other senior officers by two thirds majority.
3. The three political parties should be contested every five years at municipal elections.
4. All international agreements with a sovereign nation or any foreign entity shall be approved by the parliament. Thereafter, any working arrangements emanating from such agreement could be dealt with at cabinet of ministers level or as stipulated in the respective parliament approval.
5. Printing and custody of National Currency Notes should be solely proposed and implemented by the Central Bank and approved by House of Representatives. The president and the executive wing of government should have no say in this matter.
6. The Audit General, Accountant General, President of the Central Bank should be elected by parliament through nomination of the representatives and approved by joint session of elected parliament. These three positions should be accountable solely to the people represented the elected Parliament.
7. A position of National Media Director should be created. The Media Boss should be appointed by Parliament and he or she should be fully in charges of all state owned media (Radio Hargeysa, National TV or any other public funded medium in the future). This will free publicly owned Media from the intervention of the executive (government). This practice is adopted by the British and is the reason why the BBC has gained world renowned reputation.
8. The Diaspora who represents large groups of the elite and intelligentsia of Somaliland should be motivated and organized to participate in building this nation both materially and morally. Non Resident Somalilanders (NRS) should be directed and empowered to set up their own elected organizations with the aim of central pooling of resources and ideas. The Diaspora should also be taxed with transparent methods developed to ensure the funds they contribute are used to help the poor and build the nation.
9. The Government Budget should be vested with the Ministry of Planning.
10. The presidential term of office should not exceed 4 years no matter what.
Hassan Abdi Yusuf
Riyadh
23Apr09

















 

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