by Bazi Bussuri SheikhSunday, April 14, 2013
· Levy no tax or low affordable head tax on market operators as this will help small scale businesses to flourish. For example, Prophet Mohamed (s.a.w) established a market a short time after his arrival to Madinah (which recovered from a prolonged civil war between the two main tribes Aws and Khasraj), and said “This is your market and Let no tax be levied or imposed on it”. Also majority of the Western based small businesses blame red tape and taxation as the main factors of the increased bankruptcy among small businesses.
· Restoration of Peace and security. The government needs to genuinely pursue peace via dialogue and negotiation with the insurgents in a rhetoric free manner with no external influences. Somali people at home and abroad are tired and the current situation between the insurgents and the government and can be described as “I jiid aan ku jiidee, waa gacmo daalis”. The use of force is not sustainable and proving to be counterproductive (Rag waxaad walaalow kaga wayday waran ugama heshid). Any incentives such as general amnesty and power sharing offered to the insurgents are price worth paying for Somali peace.
Finally, we have to have the greatest respect for one another i.e. for those Somalis who have stayed home throughout the civil war, Diaspora who returned home and those who are still abroad for their contribution and sacrifice. It would be wrong for anyone to be playing one against the other as this will create a false dichotomy of “Us and Them” syndrome. Somalia needs all of them pulling together not against each other and the fate of our country affects us all whether we are at home or abroad. By helping one another will enable us to fulfill the demand of our morally relevant national anthem ” Somalis wake up, Wake up and lean on each other And whoever is most in need of support, support them forever”. Bazi Bussuri Sheikh[email protected]