FILE – Inside the Parliament House in Mogadishu, Somali Federal Parliament members gather. Parliament plays a pivotal role in promoting good governance, accountability, and democratic ideals in Somalia.
Introduction
When envisioning good governance, images of democracy, the rule of law, and visionary leadership come to mind. The term “governance” takes its roots from ancient Greek ideas, picked up from Latin origins meaning “to steer,” and passed along by the French. John Locke, back in the 17th century, dished out thoughts on limited government, shaping today’s democratic vibes. He insisted on a government that sticks to a social contract, where the folks being ruled give consent, and in return, the rulers safeguard individual freedoms and rights, keeping tyranny at bay through limited power and checks and balances.
In his work “The Spirit of Law,” Montesquieu, a French thinker from the Enlightenment era, revolved around power separation, suggesting the executive, legislature, and judiciary stay distinct to avoid a despotic grip over power.
Even as we pursue good governance for progress, some modern scholars dissect the pitfalls when governance falters. According to Zaltman in “When States Fail,” bad governance leads to a breakdown of state structures, with chaotic politics and societal fragmentation. Leibach I. pointed out that disorderly governance often involves unrest, human rights abuses, and social chaos.
Governance Indicators
Critics and political analysts concur that sound governance boosts economic expansion, human capital, and unity in society. Through the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI), scholars can dig into governance patterns over time and across the globe.
The World Bank has pinned down six indicators that determine a nation’s governance status: voice and accountability, government effectiveness, rule of law, political calmness, regulatory prowess, and corruption control. These metrics reflect how institutions should ideally function and be embraced by the public, as noted by a governance working collective.
Definitions
Nobody really agrees on a single definition of governance, but the World Bank’s take usually gets the chatter going. They see governance as the path where power is managed for a country’s economic and social wellness. Kaufman et al. broke it down, explaining governance as the art of (1) choosing, supervising, and swapping out governments, (2) a government’s knack for crafting and pulling off smart policies, and (3) mutual respect for institutions by both the citizens and the state.
From a political angle, governance is like steering a ship, where legitimate power guides society. The UNDP, however, expands on this view by noting governance as a system that includes state, civil society, and the private sector, all maneuvering economic, political, and social affairs.
Political theorists urge clarity between state-centered governance and the broader society-focused model. The state-centered framework zeroes in on government functions, management, and decisions, while the society-centric approach appreciates the array of actors possibly swaying or teaming up with governmental efforts. Technically, political elites and bureaucratic leaders shape governance wherever you are.
Principles of Good Governance
Beneath the shelter of good governance lie principles like accountability, leadership, integrity, stewardship, and transparency (A.L.I.S.T.). A 2019 World Bank report underscores effective governance’s backbone: excellent public service, robust civil service, independence from political meddling, sound policy creation and execution, and a reliable government commitment to these policies.
Tackling Africa’s developmental snags and governance woes, scholars spotlight ingredients of good governance to propel African nations past these hurdles. Ingredients such as an efficient public service, an unbiased legal system, accountability over public funds, an independent auditor reporting to a representative legislature, and freedom of press have been noted as essentials to success.
Technocratic View
Drawing from years of diving into technocratic waters as a senior public servant both at regional and federal tiers, I’ve seen firsthand North Western State of Somalia’s governance drama. With stints as Director General (DG) of the Federal Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and Chief of Staff to the Northeastern State President and as advisor to Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali of Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government, I’ve had my share of front-row seats.
The touchstone for governance success hinges on effective coordination across ministries, often with DGs taking the heaviest loads. They navigate general management, business planning, and financial stewardship, ensuring performance aligns with public interest when reporting to the Parliament, cabinet, and beyond.
Efficient bureaucratic DGs assure the public’s delivery of services, implementing policies, and designing annual work plans across ministries. It’s their fingerprints on government operations that either lift a nation or lead to decay.
Somalia’s governance machinery is driven by DGs setting legal frameworks, overseeing program fulfillment, and ensuring projects sync with service agreements. Yet, nepotism often bumps these technocrats for less skilled, handpicked replacements.
Top-notch DGs bring robust public management together with comprehensive engagement from federal and civil partners, creating governance bedrock in Somalia. Even within state fragility, leaders can rally governance enhancement with determination, but they’ll need the partnership of a technocratically-inclined bureaucracy to steer the nation positively.
The Importance of Good Governance
In recent eras, the blend of good governance has intrigued academic and political realms. Identified pillars include accountability, transparency, rule of law, public involvement, problem response, unity, inclusion, and productivity.
Strong governance fuels economic growth, making strides in production, job creation, and efficient distribution of resources. It’s also the bedrock for social development, ensuring fair wealth distribution, healthcare access, education, and a bridge between social classes.
Crucially, governance lays down political advancements, guaranteeing democracy, defending human rights, and ensuring freedoms and civil liberties. On the security front, governance enhances peace, conflict prevention, and societal order.
In the justice domain, it safeguards equal law treatment and minority protection.
Recommendations
In Somalia, the absence of vibrant political leadership and efficient bureaucracy hinders progress. Here’s a guide to steer Somalia towards a brighter path:
Accountability demands leaders and public workers bear responsibility for their choices and actions. Leadership insists rulers show the way with positive conduct, encouraging those around to follow suit.
Integrity requires that nation’s leadership and civil servants act ethically, respecting the law and upholding government professionalism and morality. Stewardship, similar to Burkina Faso’s Traore’s methods, inspires African rulers to guard public resources, allocating them efficiently where required.
Keeping decision-making transparent keeps the public in the loop, offering clear access to critical information. In turning these principles into practice, one step forward for Somalia is embracing meritocracy like Singapore, evaluating individuals by ability, with honesty to curb corruption.
Capacity-building drives Somalia’s growth in policy, institutional development, citizen engagement, human capital improvements, and sustainability, and should be prioritized nationwide.
An anti-corruption commission can spearhead the battle to combat graft. Likewise, a leadership program would equip leaders with the necessary skills for effective governance and strategic execution.
Conclusion
Achieving the ideals of governance rests upon political resolve among leaders. As David Roberts pointed out, assertive political will arises when decision-makers collectively work in the public’s interest with potential policy solutions. For good governance to flourish, it demands freedom and democracy, unlike totalitarian regimes, and relies heavily on a competent, independent governmental framework.
Ultimately, consistent good governance across all government levels forms democracy, economic boom, stability and efficiency, and maintains nation accountability while refining a country’s global image.
(Deeq Yusuf, once the Director General of Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development, has played pivotal roles including Chief of Staff for Northeastern State of Somalia and Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister. Contact him at [email protected].)
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
