What do you guys think of this dude Haji Mohamed Yassin. I think he's awesome. He was supposed to win the elections when Abdullahi Yusuf (AUN) was running but unfortunately he didn't win. He's running again this year though. And if Farmaajo doesn't run or doesn't win and Maslax Mohammed Siyaad doesn't run or doesn't win I want this dude to win. He is a MJ born and raised in Mogadishu and plus I think a Hawiye isn't capable of running the country because they are greedy no offence but they had 21 years to do their shit but their just not capable ada runta la iskushego. Plus I think this dude is great on how he plans to make a peace settlement with Al-Shayadeen and how he plans to tackle piracy. And his a wealthy buisness man so he isn't money hungry like most of these politicians and Allah knows best, plus he is religious well from what I can see and his even said he will become a president for free as long as he gets to see his country back on it's feet again.
Here's his interview, bare in mind this interview was for 2011 presidential election but since they extended sharif's time he will be running for 2012.
Haji Mohamed Yassin a prominent Somali businessman recently launched his presidential bid for the troubled Somalia. A confident Haji announced that he was ready to offer his presidential service for free. He spoke to our reporter Ramadhan Rajab, on his plan to tackle piracy, Al-Shabaab and bring Somali to lasting peace.
Who is Haji Mohamed Yassin?
I was born in 1951 in Mogadishu, all though my parents are originally from Puntland. I have grown up and gone to school in Mogadishu. Between 1972 to 1978, I worked as an auditor for the government of Somalia.
I then resigned to join an opposition group against former president Mohamed Siad Barre. The opposition group Somali Salvation Democratic Front was formed in Ethiopia and led by former president Abdullahi Yusuf.
I served the opposition for three years and when Barre’s government collapsed I resigned and got into the Real Estate business in Zimbabwe. I have my first degree in public administration and training in management, politics and business administration. I have three wives and 17 children.
Why would you want to run for president in a troubled Somalia?
This will actually be my second attempt at running for presidency. In 2003 I was a presidential candidate but lost to Abdullahi Yusuf.
Being a Somalia national I feel that I have a responsibility to make Somalia not only a peaceful country but a better place as well.
Somalia has had over 21 years of instability that has shattered its economic, infrastructure, lives and led to many splinter regions, religious and tribal extremism. Apart from that we are also plagued by piracy, poor leadership and Somalia is currently the most corrupt country according to the 2010 corruption index, making it a failed state. I am vying for presidency to bring the country back to its feet under a government that will revive the rule of law.
As a country Somalia never failed buts its leaders did. Especially the Sheikh Sharrif regime, they were handpicked and imposed on the people .They rose to power with no program or plan to tackle Somalia’s problems. Their aim was to acquire power through foreign sponsors and amass wealth for themselves.
They have sustained the crisis and war in Somalia, because they are using conflict as a cash cow with nobody holding them accountable. Sharrif’s regime has also used their influence to avenge against those tribes that don’t pledge allegiance to them. Through the help of foreign patronage they have intensified animosity between various communities instead of using money from the international community to build trust and promote reconciliation.
There have been three governments in the last 10 years all of which were geared towards, reconciling the rival groups and none has made any significant step. The past regimes were supposed to establish federalism in the country but they failed as well, they were tasked to prepare an acceptable constitution for the country but that failed. In actual fact they have been busy in keeping Somali in turmoil and lengthening their tenure so as they can continue accumulating their wealth.
I believe such failed leaders are responsible for the past and present crisis. Since there is no central government, other groups like religious extremists have taken advantage. They now control many regions in the country; equally piracy has become a huge menace at sea because there is no ground force which holds them to account.
In your own opinion how did Somali sink into this lawlessness?
During the Siad Barre regime it was one-man rule, there were no institutions governing Somali. There was no effective parliament nor judiciary and people felt duped and discord took over. When forced out of power, a civil war broke up the military which led them to join different tribal groups. This is the time warlords were reenergized and started controlling different regions. In this confusion some interested communities started arming and financing different warlords and since then no group has ever brought Somalia under control.
Look at this scenario even after the UN sanction on arms to Somali; there is still proliferation of arms into Somalia meaning foreign interests are at play. In 2006 after the Islamic groups formed the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) led by the present president Sheikh Sharrif Ahmed they defeated the warlords and made Mogadishu peaceful for the first time but this was only temporary as the government of Abdullahi Yusuf with the help of Ethiopian forces entered Mogadishu and defeated Sharrif leading to major breakaways.
Why did you choose to launch your presidential bid in Nairobi and not Mogadishu?
It is very unfortunate that no one has ever launched his presidential bid in Somali due to the security situation. Away from the security issues, Nairobi is a hub, a host to many Somali MPs, politicians, businessmen and the international community who work in Somali, thus the reason I chose Kenya for the launch my presidential bid here.
Do you think you are the best candidate to take Somalia from ruins of war to peace and economic stability?
I do not have all the answers to Somalia’s problems. However I think I am the most suitable candidate given my experience in Somali politics since 1978 and working as a businessman thereafter has endeared me to the people. I understand the people and their problems. I believe I can reach out to all rival groups with ease and no prejudice. I have the confidence, trust and respect of the religious groups, the business groups, civil societies and even the opposition groups.
I understand the concern of neighboring countries; equally those of the international community. What Somali needs now is a peace broker not a fighter or a hardliner or militant. Continuous offensive against Al-Shabaab or any other group cannot bring a lasting peace in Somalia. Military offensives have failed in Iraq, Afghanistan for over 20 years and in Somalia they can never win. There has never been a winner is such approaches, I am a big believer in diplomacy.
When are the elections and how will they be conducted?
On Tuesday last week the UN gave a roadmap for the elections. They plan to establish a preparatory committee in Mogadishu on June 15. The committee will prepare the groundwork for the elections and set the date and venue of the elections as well guidelines on who will be voting. But at the moment the voting exercise is done by MPs who first of all elect the speaker of parliament and his deputy before electing the president.
In hundred days if elected, what are some of the changes you hope to make as president?
Cease fire, reconciliation with the opposition and establishment of a workable government with a strong parliament and a loyal army these are key things that I must achieve.
If elected I will establish a Supreme Religious Council to look into religious acrimonies as well underlying religious factors that are behind the conflicts.
Also as a matter of urgency my government will form a National Reconciliation council made of of tribal heads, businessmen, civil society, religious leaders and all other concerned person to chat away forward of bringing peace.
We will also create a National Army of about 30,000 soldiers recruited from all the 18 regions of Somali, to keep vigil of the coastlines. I am very optimistic that the present crisis can be resolved.
On piracy and Al-Shabab what will be your approach?
In my opinion, the Al-Shabaab problem can be solved in two ways. First half of their attacks are targeted towards an individual Sheikh Sharrif whom they feel sold out on them. With him gone, 50 percent of their demands will have been met.
The other 50 percent of Al-Shabaab demands and that of other religious sects is to implement the Sharia Law and get rid of foreign troops from AMISOM who the official opposition claims are foreign invaders.
If elected I will implement the Sharia law in consultation with the Supreme Council of Religious Affairs. We will harsh out how and when to implement it given that the current parliament unanimously ratified its implementation. Lastly with political reconciliation and a competent local police and military we can ask the foreign troops to leave the country. The foreign jihadists will also be asked to disembark.
Piracy will need both local and international support. On our side we will strengthen our local system with a strong ground force to control the coastal borders of Somali.
Does the UN’s threat to halt financial aid to the government worry you?
It worries everyone. It is a threat to desert us at our greatest hour of need. Even though they have a reason to, they should not use a group of individual failures to punish a whole population yearning to see peace.
You said are ready to work for free if elected president what is your drive and how will you manage?
I am a businessman, I have made enough money and I can earn my living through my businesses. My driving force is that I want to see peace restored in Somalia and the country back on its feet.
Achieving peace is a possibility with proper leadership and I am ready to offer just that, because I understand the root cause of conflict in Somalia and have its prescription.
Many political leaders around the world have been using Somalia as an example of a failed state. However I believe with me and help of other like minded persons it is just a matter of time before we bring Somali under control and on its feet and dominance as the best example of reconciliation. I believe peace is what many Somalis are yearning for but they have never been shown the way.