EDITORIAL: Building Coalitions, a good start for better politics in Somalia
EDITORIAL | Somalia’s key stakeholders for the upcoming election have come closer to a working partnership after launching yet another coalition group on Thursday.
The National Salvation Council, which brings together the Council of Presidential Candidates, President Said Abdullahi Deni of Northeastern State and Ahmed Madobe of Jubbaland, will be a caucus for nearly 20 political leaders.
Under the leadership of former President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, the group said on Thursday that it intends to work together to ensure a smooth, free and fair election and save the country from falling back into chaos.
Expected, there were two types of reactions to the launch. One group feels that the group is trying to find the best person to bell the cat in President Mohamed Farmaajo, rather than seeking to serve the public. The other side sees the group as a building block for a mature democracy.
We agree with the other party. We believe that coalition formation is one way Somalia can strike the constant grudge against clan politics. We also have movements like the NSC are crucial to building bridges between rivals. In other countries in Africa, coalitions have enabled broad and inclusive participation of communities.
It is true that coalition policy in the case of Somalia can be a mirage. But every country where mature democracy today started somewhere. The first step for Somalia to maintain its policy and have a sense of security lies in how political leaders can reach out to each other.
Of course, we are careful that politicians only go together because they have a common enemy. The new Alliance also has some weaknesses in grouping aspirants rather than political parties, which may lead to stronger partnerships. But the idea of the Council itself also ensures that groups can choose their best candidates to participate in elections and leave joyriders and also-ransom.
We hope that, instead of trying to sabotage these groups, President Farmaajo’s government will allow them to enjoy the necessary freedoms to improve the political environment.
It is our hope that the National Salvation Council and other advisers enjoy the freedom to reach out to more partners without being restricted.
But we must not allow ourselves to be carried away by coalition formations. Each of these groups must work towards a solution, not just to subvert opponents.
The elephant in space remains on whether the federal government and federal member states will agree on a workable election agreement soon enough to save the country from anxiety.
Since the pandemic season began last year in March; Somalia has been pressured by grasshopper invasion, waves of Covid-19 infections, drought and rising attacks by al-Shabaab on unarmed sites.
Under such conditions, the country’s top leaders can do great service by erasing the differences that have existed and that have made it difficult to hold elections.
The challenge now lies in Farmajoo’s hands, after being more than six weeks back to make sure Somalis have specific election dates. He will not get it unless he talks to federal member states in a favorable environment. He will also need to listen to the views of other key stakeholders.
AXADLETM
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