Thread by @AbdimalikAnwar

THREAD: Its 2 years since Pres. @M_Farmaajo was elected sensationally into power.

I'll shed some light on his performance, loopholes, probability of delivering his mandate and ,fairly enough, recommendations.

All sentiments stipulated here are purely my opinions.

I came across this letter while going through my archives. I wrote it to @M_Farmaajo on the 10th of Feb, 2017 (barely 2 days after his election).

I remember how jovial & hopeful I was upto an extent that I penned down this letter due to the expectation I had of him.

Despite performing quite better than his predecessor (HSM) on a few issues, he has dramatically failed on other crucial issues that featured in his campaign pledges.

In a nut shell, as of today, the administration of @M_Farmaajo has not met my expectation and this is why:

1. The security sector (my biggest concern and so do every Somali) is literally neglected.

There is no mentionable progress made in this sector particularly in securing Mogadishu & liberation of the districts that are under the siege of AS.

The Mogadishu - Marka road along the coast was liberated by the current govt but just recently it has subsequently claimed lives of the last 2 immediate commanders of that sector.

Many liberated towns has fallen into the arms of AS again after the govt stopped pursuing them.

Mogadishu in particular was hell bent with regular bomb blasts, extortion of money by AS/Daesh from big businesses & day light killings of youth activists/ordinary civilians.

Similar security problems which the defenceless civilians had to endure prevailed in the countryside .

"Recycling certified failures"
The president, in just 2 years, replaced:
the spy chief (3 times), commander of the Armed Forces (4 times) & Police chief (4 times).

Most of these individuals were not new comers but they had served earlier in more or less similar capacities.

In other words there isn't a well grounded, action-oriented & progressive security strategy.

Not forgetting the handful of advisors each pocketing thousands of $$$$ but literally performing very poorly.

2. There were also unpredictable lapses in the political atmosphere & a number of knee jerk reactions from the govt to sensitive political developments; sometimes resulting into adverse and undesirable outcomes.

The relationship with member states deteriorated & was in a bad shape for the better part of 2018.

The unending Robow saga whose repercussions almost plunged SWS into chaos & the PNG-ing of Hansom- to name but a few - painted a picture of political immaturity & lack of good will

The political space is shrinked more than ever before in the recent times.
Political parties/ politicians were under hunt and some were denied to use their platforms, address pressing national issues and/or conduct workshops for thier supporters. Some of them were even arrested

3. The way foreign affairs was handled in the last two years was gloomy & comes along with lots of blunders. The decisions (read statements) issued by the @MofaSomalia were characterised by swift, dramatic & uncalculated moves.

The current govt indulged into diplomatic hurdles that were weird; may be in exchange for handouts and material support. Refer to Canada, Saudi Arabia et cetera.

Something a section of the Somali analysts called "Dollar Diplomacy" or in a crude language "A gun for hire".

Some of the other critical national issues that the current admin seem to be totally ignoring include:
1. The constitutional court + JSC.
2. The so called provincial constitution
3. Modalities & road map of the 2021 elections
4. The Somalia - Somaliland talks

5. Building institutions & parastatals that are vital for state building
6. Fostering political consensus & laying good grounds for political competition
7. The Somalia- Kenya maritime case
8. The status of Mogadishu and it's residents

Despite all that, I believe there is still an ample time for performance & delivery.

2 years is enough for trial & error. The govt, if they are really serious, can focus on fixing a few paramount issues that can contribute to state building.

My recommendations hereunder;

Recommendations:

1. Forge cordial & mutual relationships with federal member states. Easy and acheivable. Just calls for basic common sense, strategies devoid of malice, walking the talk and reaching out to them. A win-win situation for both sides of the political divide.

2. Desist from entering into suspicious deals/treaties in the darkness. Make it transparent and engage all the stakeholders.

Such deals come along with scrutiny, mistrust and creates a vacuum for political instability. China Fishing deal & the oil issue are good examples

3. Restructure and put into task the defunct National Security Council (previously National Leadership Forum) so as to deliberate on critical national issues that are pending and calls for wide consultations & political consensus

4. Form an all inclusive, well established, non-partisan, merit-based, well funded Constitutional court. Reform the JSC, High Court & other courts who are literally sleeping on their jobs. This will serve the interest of the country.

5. Security should be given more priority. Fire anyone who fails to perform since the country is not short of manpower.

Review the salaries of the security agencies

Roll out acomprehensive National security plan - a realistic strategy with the right people implementing it.

6. Avoid manipulating and misusing power for personal or party gains. This country is fragile and its issues need to be handled with outmost care & good will.

Politicians and political parties should be given their space. The govt shouldn't put them in the run for speaking out.

7. NGOization of the constitution should be avoided. Actually NGO projects do end. This constitution is the nightmare of all & sundry. There is relatively little seriousness from the govt's side.

Let this constitution review process have a distinctive time frame.

8. The AMISOM mandate should be reviewed. They should be put into task and demanded to unconditionally help the govt security agencies in flushing out the insurgents from their hideouts.

Clear exit strategy should be drafted and it's work plan implemented with immediate effect

9. Embrace a cool and smart diplomacy. Desist from running into conclusions plus decisions that might strike back with undesirable end products.

Never take sides since no one will literally force you to do so.