Constitutional crisis, another PM ousted, what next?

[oxymoron]

Somalia: Constitutional crisis, another PM ousted, what next? [Editorial]
2 Dec 2, 2013 - 11:26:38 AM
GAROWE ONLINE EDITORIAL | Will President Hassan get another Prime Minister Shirdon, or is the future Prime Minister destined to clash with Dam Jadid faction?

Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon (Saacid) was in office between October 7, 2012, when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud nominated him, and December 2, 2013, when Lower House of Somali Federal Parliament ousted Prime Minister Shirdon in a no confidence vote in Mogadishu. To the Somali people, this is a familiar drama: since 2004, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) – the predecessor to today’s Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) – was characterized by political infighting, systematic corruption, widespread injustices, and institutional failure. Today’s removal of Prime Minister Shirdon is a repetitive, major dent to the aspirations of the Somali people for a Federal Government that is just, accountable and effective.

In early November, when reports of a political dispute between President Hassan and Prime Minister Shirdon first surfaced, Mr. Shirdon publicly claimed that he and the President were locked in a constitutional struggle. Among other things, Mr. Shirdon said that President Hassan had overstepped his constitutional limitations and prevented Mr. Shirdon to use his constitutional authority to nominate a Council of Ministers. Behind the scenes, the real argument was the unreasonable desire of President Hassan’s close advisers – the dreaded “Dam Jadid” faction, or ‘New Blood’ – to be part of the new Cabinet; in particular, reports said Dam Jadid faction wanted the important post of Minister of Constitution and Federal Affairs, a move they envisioned would enable them to engineer the country’s future until the 2016 elections and beyond, in order to manipulate and meet goals set by the international community.

This political conflict does not end here. Speaking on VOA, a young man in Mogadishu articulated today’s events best: “Today’s no confidence vote for Prime Minister Shirdon is unfortunate. What is worse, is that a group of Ministers (Dam Jadid faction) brought a motion against their own Prime Minister, and they are lobbying with funds to attain Ministerial positions in the upcoming government”.

This sad state of affairs is reflective of cutthroat Mogadishu politics in recent years. Mr. Shirdon was nominated in light of three goals set by Dam Jadid faction: 1) destabilize Jubaland; 2) fight against federalism; and 3) play a functionary role (“yes man”). Will President Hassan get another Prime Minister Shirdon, or is the future Prime Minister destined to clash with Dam Jadid faction?

It is ironic that President Hassan accuses Mr. Shirdon of incompetency, fully cognizant of the original reasons for nominating him, and therefore Mr. Shirdon did not fail President Hassan's original expectations when nominating him. This is both an insult to the Somali people and the law, underpinning grave concerns of the FGS leadership’s lack of respect for the constitution. In early 2013, Puntland government warned that the Provisional Federal Constitution was illegally tampered with, and on August 5, Puntland suspended all relations and cooperation with FGS in Mogadishu, pending the constitutional crisis. It is doubly ironic that, after all, the fight between President Hassan and Prime Minister Shirdon transformed and concluded into a struggle over the constitution.

President Hassan’s policies continue to polarize Somalia and the Somalis. In Middle Shabelle region, some local communities have been uprooted, their properties seized illegally and their villages razed, creating a humanitarian crisis even as the Shabelle River flooded the Jowhar area. In Lower Shabelle region, militia under the command of FGS have committed heinous crimes against local populations, in a continuation of a 20-year clan struggle to displace local communities and transplant other communities, mainly from central regions. In Hiran (Beledweyne) and Bay (Baidoa) regions, local communities have rejected governors appointed from Mogadishu. In all regions, the cry for federal system and self-rule is loud, deafening and too overwhelming to be stopped by Mogadishu’s anti-federalist policies being implemented through brute force in some regions, and political manipulation in other regions.

In Puntland, reports are abundant that Dam Jadid faction is actively lobbying to manipulate the parliamentary selection process and influence the January 2014 presidential election. They are funding some presidential candidates in Puntland, and they are expecting funding support from the same country that financed President Hassan’s 2012 presidential campaign in Mogadishu. As this faction is known for its skewed thinking, for example by anticipating another Prime Minister to be a functionary like the ousted Mr. Shirdon, so it is no surprise that Dam Jadid faction is aiming to fight Federalist Farole – the strongman of Puntland – through the Puntland election, hoping for a new Puntland leader who is weak on autonomy and federalism – unacceptable political characteristics to the Puntland people!

So Mr. Shirdon is out, as Dam Jadid wished and won. However, Puntland cut off relations with Mogadishu even as Dam Jadid faction aims to destabilize or influence the Puntland election, armed conflict is underway in Middle Shabelle and Lower Shabelle regions, Jubaland continues to suffer from FGS interference, Al Shabaab militants continue to wage war and carry out deadly operations, a humanitarian crisis is unfolding following the tropical cyclone in Puntland and the floods in Middle Shabelle region, the international community is disillusioned by the widespread corruption and political wrangling, and the Somali people are locked in a state of utter disappointment.

So what next? More of the same, or a new political paradigm that reflects reality in Somalia and accommodates the country’s various competing interests? The FGS leadership and Dam Jadid faction have not shown willingness to address reality in Somalia or embark on a new direction in favor of Somalia’s interests. In the end, it is the Somali people who will continue to suffer most in light of their leadership’s continued failures.


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[GeoSeven]

Disappointing. For a website of it's size, Garowe Online seems to lack accuracy. Either that, or they have a blatant disregard for facts.

[oxymoron]

Disappointing. For a website of it's size, Garowe Online seems to lack accuracy. Either that, or they have a blatant disregard for facts.

Everything that in Editorial is actually very fact.