SOMALIA: PUNTLAND ON THE EDGE

on January 4, 2013 at 22:48 /

 

By: Daud Omar
dauud.omar@gmail.com

President Farole

Recently President Faroles mouthpiece in Puntland, Garowe Online which is owned by his son and cannot be termed ‘independent’, spoke about President Farole defending the Constitution! It also criticising what it referred to as “the media” for misreporting about developments in Puntland. By “the media” I take it to mean all other media not controlled by President Farole like the BBC perhaps.
So what is the Constitution according to President Farole?

Freedom of Opinion.

Well only if you agree with whatever President Farole says, otherwise you can find yourself arrested and imprisoned. As many a journalist has found.

Freedom of Speech.

Again speak out against the current government under President Farole and not only can you find yourself arrested but you can also lose your job. As was the case with Mr Abdikafi Hassan Mohamed

Right of Residence.

Somalis who can claim residence within Puntland have been persecuted when returning as was the case of Prof Abdiweli Ali Gaas.

Traditional Elders.

Traditional Leaders are recognised and their responsibility towards the community is protected as such. But not according to President Farole! Their offices in Bossaso have been ransacked and closed. Elders whilst travelling to Garowe to attend a meeting, dedicated to discussing the extension of President Faroles mandate, were arrested without just cause and physically assaulted by the police. So being prevented in attending a lawful meeting.
President Farole visits Universities and Hospitals whilst speaking how important these institutions are. The Ministries of both Education and Health receive funding from the UN, EU and the World Health Organisation to name a few of the International Donors who supply humanitarian assistance. This funding helps in the education of the poorest and supplies vital medical aid to those in need.
President Farole has now taxed this humanitarian aid!! Money meant to benefit the people of Puntland now disappears. To be spent for whose benefit?
The only other people to ‘tax’ such humanitarian aid are Al Shabab who take the money for themselves!
Garowe Online likes the word ‘humanitarian’; it described the operation to free the MV Iceberg from the ‘pirates’ as ‘humanitarian’. It gives a sense of well being to the whole thing. The only good thing being the release of the ships crew after two years and nine months of being held captive.
Why was nothing done by President Farole before? Was it the payment to the ‘Puntland Government’ of $1.5million that suddenly motivated the release of the crew? It is understood that $500,000 went to pay the PMPF and the rest went?
There are good people within the PMPF but they are ill served by President Farole and his family. They have and are being used as the Presidents private army. They are operating outside the legal framework of Puntland and engaged in activities unrelated to anti-piracy for which they were initially formed. As reported by the UN.
Recently President Farole addressed a meeting of the military in Bossaso in which he spoke about loyalty. Well loyalty is something that is earned much the same as respect, you cannot buy it. On the other hand if you fail to pay the military and civil servants what does that say about the government?  Now how much was it reported that the Finance Minister refused to hand over to President Farole, $3.4million? An audit of the government finances would be of interest. Transparency and openness?

Democracy.

Mentioning ‘Democracy’ in Puntland is not new, go back to 2001 written about and spoken about along with ‘multi parties’. Progress does not happen overnight but within the four years of President Faroles time, registration of voters and political parties were expected to be well advanced. Look at President Faroles speech after his first hundred days.
But democracy has been hijacked and you have an autocracy, a system of government by one person with absolute power. This is not what Puntland deserves.
I have seen comments about ‘failed politicians returning to take power’ this from a President who returned from Australia! There are problems within the world many say caused by inept bankers and Puntland has a President who was/is a banker! Mention is often made about ‘political spoilers’ well you do not have to look far to find them. They are within the current government.
As the saying goes, “Evil succeeds when good men sit back and do nothing”.
There are still good men within government who have been misled, bribed and coerced into following bad practises against the people of Puntland. Do you want this to continue to see the demise of Puntland or will people speak out for a better government.
A government transparent in its dealings. A government seeking peace with its neighbours yet strong to stand against the terrorism within.
Last year members of the Puntland Parliament accused President Farole of having lost his political direction and asked him to resign before he engulfs the region in disputes that will be difficult to untangle.
The time for asking is over.
It is now time to tell him to resign.
by: Daud Omar
dauud.omar@gmail.com
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