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Opinions expressed in this column are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of SW.
Puntland on the mend - The conniving plot devised by the irredeemably grotesque TNG et al foiled. Syed, Ahmed Gashan, ajgashan@hotmail.com
Listening to the idyllic voices, observing the lustrous elation on the faces of the millions of Puntlanders and reading their stories as narrated online shortly after it became apparent that the commendably mission code-named "Puntland Stability First", which was conducted by the gallantry Dervishes of the State to restore stability, compliance and law and order to the Land of Punt of which inhabitants regrettably experienced a period of near lawlessness, if not uncertain prospect in the hands of a few ill-advised personalities under the influence of the irredeemably grotesque TNG et al in Mogadishu, which ended in euphoric triumph beyond the wildest dreams of many a friend and a foe of the State alike, one has to admire the tilting power structure from top to the ordinary man. One cannot simply emasculate the overwhelming support, persistence, maturity and the role played by all sections of the genuine civil society including traditional Issims whom many place the blame in its entirety on their shoulders throughout these taxing times, past few days in particular. One must salute such chivalrous achievements and exemplary precedence which will surely make an engaging subject matter for many a contemporary historian in the process of accumulating events of interesting rendition so far as Puntland is concerned. Ever since the inception of the State, external elements in alliance with negligible forces within, to begin with, have been engaged in deeds destructive in nature, detrimental to the emerging institutions vital to the existence of State, and most of all infiltrating the highest branches of authority of the State with malicious intentions diluting the very fabric that binds communities in these regions. The object of their desire was to effectively destabilise the State, mar the morale of its citizens, disregard local authority, undermine the administration, sabotage community building projects and business ventures developmental in nature both in the private and public sectors, the former more conspicuous with the latter abstract though had been taking noticeable shape, thereby disfranchising segments of the community for inconsequential monetary gains for some and perhaps nominal ministerial posts for others. No doubt Puntland and Somaliland have come a long way all things considered. On one hand, there is the TNG et al with neither the vision nor the strategy to breath life into the suffering inhabitants of Mogadishu and its environs, yet determined to disrupt law and order in the said regions by way of shipping weapons and millions of forged notes with view of diminishing the power structure of local authorities, straining their economies, and therefore dragging them through the mud and mayhem that has become the norm for the Southern regions of the old Republic. On the other, there are corrupt heads of some Arab and African States flooding weapons into these stable regions, and dollars badly needed elsewhere into the deep pockets of abhorrent agents serving foreign interests to simply obstruct progress made in the Puntland and Somaliland. The self-styled President and Premier of the TNG, the Don and the Muffler both of whom come across as though impersonating, though yet not mastered the posture, the modus operandi and the tyrannical doctrine of their late mentor are seen by most Somalis as a defunct warlord and a submissive meek respectively, the former with no plans of rescuing his own kindred from their abysmal future let alone the millions of uprooted civilian whose properties and other belongings he and his cronies have taken possession of with no intention of ever returning to rightful owners. The latter, though not of the same calibre is believed to have been implementing the legacy of his predecessor both of whom many believe to be the very instruments applied in crumbling and fragmenting communities in the said progressive regions. Further afield, there is the disaster-prone UN and its emperial agents espousing a policy of rewarding the evil whilst penalising the one with the virtues. The fact that IRIN and the boys at the Bush House [BBC_Somali services] continue spreading fallacies and perpetually referencing the tabloid rags in Mogadishu as reliable sources for all news items regarding the said States, which is ludicrously laughable, matters might not be quite as favourable. It just so happens that the apparatus and conniving plot set in motion to result in a far damaging effect, under the supervision of locally run non-governmental organisations financed in good will by the international community, still remains in place, and can only be ignored at the State’s peril for its sponsors are committed to recoup the returns of their initial investments at whatever cost. Shells and ballistics from the war machines, dust, blood, corpses, and mayhem were the desired object. Turning the serene streets of major cities presently packed with bazaars, corner shops and stores on one side, spacious villas and stone-faced, decorative mansions on the far end into rubble whilst land occupied by schools, madrasas, restaurants, hotels, small manufacturing establishments, social haunts frequented by the locals wound up as barren, derelict lots never set afoot, was what the venom elements envisaged in the darkest of hours. Fortunately, it did not quite happen as planned this time, but matters might not be so auspicious next time around. Off to where and what now are the questions that spring to mind? How should we avoid future debacles from happening? Here, I reach the point to which I have been warming up, for the forthcoming months will prove crucial for the survival of the State and its emerging regional and local authorities. A compact system of government of a "social contract", and of the "right to rebel" legitimately I may add, should become the modus operandi of the State. "Men enter the world totally free", according to the chief political philosopher of the 1600, John Locke, to whose name the Second Treaties of Government was accredited. "…. They are unfettered by any chains of authority and are endowed by the Creator with such "natural" rights as life, liberty, and property. But because of the imperfections of man, the state of total serenity and security in nature is not attainable without a few "ground rules". Thus men voluntarily surrender a part of their freedom in order to protect their lives and possessions. By agreement (or compact) they choose a way of government headed by one of their own. When this compact is broken, the people have not only the right, but the duty to rebel". What this excerpt elucidates in the Puntland context is that a number of laws were not complied with at the beginning of the Puntland misfortune in August of 2001 as a result of which law and order and the existence of the entire State was almost forfeited. It is the loopholes and flaws of the State constitution, which contributed to the near downfall of the State along with its institutions, and as such must be carefully revisited. Amending not quite so practical articles of the institution reflecting events of the past eight months should be considered. "The moral law is always valid, but it is not always kept. In the state of nature all men equally have the right to punish transgressors: civil society originates when, for the better administration of the law, men agree to delegate this function to certain officers. Thus government is instituted by a "social contract"; its powers are limited, and they involve reciprocal obligations; moreover, they can be modified or rescinded by the authority which conferred them", John Locke. The future is establishing an effective administration with a cohesive constitution which citizens identify with and adhere to, functioning institutions with executable doctrine at par with international standards, and infrastructure that promotes economic growth and autonomous, yet congruous bodies at the district level. These would be guidelines adhered to by persons of political ambitions, social aspirations, and of interest, for the continued existence of the State and its people is dependent upon effecting institutions of this genre. An effective administration would have refined, honourable autocrats who set the stage for the deployment of policies and guidelines that must be reinforced as written in the articles and statutes of the State constitution. Features such as checks and balances, reduced power of the chief executive, and concerns for cherished liberties should be carefully inscribed in the State constitution. Under these, all citizens should feel safeguarded by the law where the small businessman on the high street and the ordinary entrepreneur feel protected, and ultimately public properties safeguarded. No single person irrespective of his/her association should feel above the law. A sizeable proportion of State’s annual revenues must be apportioned for the development and improvement of public service where building new schools, hospitals, roads and educating the populace about public duty whilst maintaining existing ones must be the administration’s utmost concern. Additionally, a priority should be given to the safety and welfare of all State officials including the police, and the Dervishes whose role should be legitimised, and redefined. For the administration, I believe there is a massive task in its hands and must not waver from fulfilling the promise of restoring law and order, integrity and the political clout of the State. Mr President, the people of Puntland shall hold you by your words that such will be your ultimate goal. In order to do so, I believe loopholes and flaws of the State constitution ought to be addressed. Firstly, I believe all shady characters of no substance should be relegated if not relieved of authority. Secondly, I believe the power structure should be reviewed. A House of Elders [Aqalka Issimada] where its members are not elected, but nominated and approved by the Parliament and President respectively should be instigated immediately. As elders are fundamental component of the State structure, members, who would have no political ambitions, revered for their leadership, altruistic integrity and willingness to exert influence in times of calamity so far as safeguarding the sovereignty of the State is concerned, are to be remunerated, held accountable for their conduct, are not above criticism, and only operational at consultative capacity. Working in tandem, but at an advisory capacity, would be the House of Faith Leaders [Aqalka Shuyuukhda] whose roles are confined only to the interpretation and transcription of Shari’a law in terms of social and good governance, and in compliance with Islamic laws. As scholars of the faith are integral part of the State structure, members would have no political motives, appointed on merit for their agility, scholarly, integrity and willingness to exert influence in times of calamity so far as safeguarding the sovereignty of the State is concerned, and would share some attributes of members of the House of Elders except they would have no influence over, or as to how State affairs, internal or otherwise are managed. This will not only eliminate the wriggle and competition for power, but would give Religious Leaders stake in the running of State affairs and building of institutions. Out of the scene would be the undesirables who, mind you acquire no real comprehension of religion, bear no resemblance of true Islam despite their demeanour, manipulate and abuse their influence in the name of religion using it as a scapegoat for political gain. A House of Representatives [Aqalka Wakiilada] representing their respective constituencies through local elections held once every three years should be reinforced. Most importantly, as stated in the State constitution, the highest authority should rest with the Supreme Court Justice, which should comprise of at least three justices over which the Chief Justice would reside. Here majority or unanimity would be sought. Scholars of legal discipline and retired State officials would serve at these capacities. This would prevent, as is now written in the constitution, a less honourable justice to hijack the entire process to his/her advantage. This of course will have to be defined in a manner that is pertinent and applicable to the existing circumstances. And finally, a transparent, fine-tuned, structured and highly lucid electoral system and procedure where "one man, one vote" premise is the basic requirement, yet primary goal should be drafted and effected soonest. The populace, not the big wigs, would determine the legitimacy of the head of the State: a system that more clearly represents the wishes of the voters’ as expressed at the ballot box. For the Intellectuals, here is where the rod had gotten rotten. This is the group that has failed the people. This is the tragedy that befell the State. This is a paradox which will never be understood. Therefore, shall not utter a word in their regard! For the hardworking men and women of Puntland, this being the reality of the ground, it is an onus upon all citizens of the State from Red Sea to Hawd to the Indian ocean to stir from the whimsy, get strong grip of their composure and mental acumen, sieve through the maze and moral dilemmas, see through the façade put on by the enemy of the State, be informed of what is being offered and who is serving in your best interest. And above all behold the constitution, law and order as your supreme guidance. For the Issims, a new era has beckoned upon us where your integrity is being compromised for the first time, and almost lost the respect that fellow countrymen held in your regard. People look up to you in times of despair and warfare for resolutions; hence deliberate conscientiously before committing yourselves to a cause which might easily, if perhaps abstractly prove detrimental to the State. A more descriptive analysis of the State constitution, its flaws and what substitutes a fair and an equitable electoral system and procedure will be discussed in the following segments. Syed, Ahmed Gashan, ajgashan@hotmail.com |
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