Puntland has been saved from the brink after forces loyal to Colonel Abdillahi Yusuf overwhelmed those of Jama Ali Jama and without a shot been fired entered the great city of Bossaso peacefully.  

The people of Puntland have shown, once again, their maturity when the moment of truth came. With deep sigh of relief, I warmly welcome the return of Cabdillahi Yusuf to power. Why? Because the Colonel and his Administration brought stability, relatively strong functioning institutions and economic development to Puntland in the face of great adversity. In short his administration was well run and had worthy achievements in the short period they were in power. Please don’t take me wrong. I am not a great fan of the Colonel by all means but I am merely stating what I have seen on my recent trip to Puntland.

What happened, after Abdillahi’s term ended, confounded everyone. A small group in the pay of the Transitional National Government plotted his overthrow and succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. They chose any Colonel called Jama Ali Jama in hastily organized Conference at Garowe. To their dismay, Colonel Jama proved to be incompetent and highly corrupt. He did not have the kind of leadership that was required in that difficult period. He managed to antagonize large segments of the only Province that he controlled. He wasted the meager resources of the State on expensive arms purchases. He handed the arms not to a professional force under his control but to a force under the control of his Sub-clan. I do not believe that many will mourn the downfall of the incompetent administration of Jama Ali Jama. 

Perhaps a word of brotherly advice, to President Abdillahi, is necessary at this critical juncture of Puntland’s development. The President should be reminded that now is the time to show statesmanship and magnanimity at this great victory. He should be aware that the victory is not his alone but that of Puntland. The sad fact is that the enemies of Puntland had conspired to destroy that shining path in the otherwise hellish Somalia and failed abjectly. Their intention was to create another Mogadiscio in Puntland. 

That is why the people of Puntland are fortunate and should be celebrating not only because Abdillahi Yusuf is back but also they were spared of grueling and devastating civil war with no end in sight. 

Praise is to Allah the Almighty and the wise people of Puntland for saving Puntland. 

One of the new challenges for President Abdillahi is whether he could articulate a vision for Puntland and Somalia as a whole. Many Puntlanders have serious concern about Abdillahi’s close and intimate relationship with Ethiopia and how that strategic relationship could impact the interest of Puntland and Somalia as a whole in the long-term. Critics of Ethiopia often allege that Ethiopia has Apartheid –style policy of Bantustans in Somalia. President Abdillahi must reassure Puntlanders and Somalis alike that such is not the case. 

On my recent visit to Somalia and Ethiopia, I have seen a great deal of good will for Ethiopia in Puntland but that good will is predicated on Ethiopia pursuing what I call a sensible policy in Somalia. President Abdillahi as a close friend of Ethiopia should assist them in formulating that sensible policy. 

The other pressing challenge for the President is restoring stability and development. His new slogan should be – PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT STUPID. The current campaign - PUNTLAND STABILITY FIRST - should be able to restore peace and stability but the development part also must be pursued with great vigor and enthusiasm. Ultimately what will determine the quality of life for Puntlanders is the extent of real and concrete development in the land. The President should also continue his government’s wise fiscal policy, which made Bossaso the busiest Port in Somalia.  

I sincerely hope that President Abdillahi and his new team will rise to these challenges and lead Puntland to a better tomorrow. May Allah guide them to the right path? 

Ali Ahmed Jama Jangeli

ajama58@hotmail.com