)Somaliland isn’t perfect, far from it. Unemployment, khat, harmful tribal pseudo-politics, institutional corruption and a growing wealth inequality between the rich and poor are some of the countless issues that we face. These deficiencies need to be tackled through the implementations of a series of carefully researched policies, which will hopefully (inshallah) resolve most of these problems.
It is imperative that these policies are thoroughly planned out and vetted for any possible shortcomings before being put into practice to prevent unforeseen but easily avoidable negative side effects. Naturally, to achieve this will not be an easy task: it will be challenged, opposssed by the corrupt and shall face countless obstacles before coming into fruition. It will require sheer courage, rugged determination and of course, immense patience.
To achieve this goal, I propose the plan below:
Step 1) The establishment of a domestic think-tank composed of the country’s leading experts in important fields such as public-administration, economics, security, urban-planning, infrastructure, education, state-planning..etc.
Step 2) The passing of laws (by presidential decree if needs be) that will make it compulsory upon parliamentarians to submit planned legislations to the think-tank for extensive research in the minimum time required. If the think-tank’s conclusions are satisfactory, the legislations will only then be allowed to go forward.
Step 3) In order, to discourage inefficiency the think-tank should be summoned twice a year by the Guurti so that they can present their latest studies. Corruption will be prevented by treasury which will carefully audit the think-tank’s budget and look for any wrong doings and irregularities.
I sincerely believe the undertaking of such a task will not bring about immediate benefit but in the long term, it will greatly enhance the development of our nation and will surely contribute to the creation of economic opportunities for our most impoverished compatriots.
Another effect this will have is, that our fellow Somalis in the wider region will start to follow our example thereby raising the living standards of the average Somali, instead of the usually well-intended plans by Somali leaders that end up as pure and utter debacles.
It is time to change for the better. We must be ambitious, courageous and unrelenting in pursuing the betterment of our people.
* Due to the author's personal laziness he did not feel like proofreading, please feel free to point out mistakes
