By Sayid Mohamed Ahmed Gurey
Thursday May 12, 2022
The
long-delayed Somali Presidential election is slated to take place at the
heavily-guarded, Afisione Hangar at the Mogadishu airport on May 15th
to coincide with the Youth Day, an annual commemoration of the founding of the
Somali Youth League (SYL), the party that delivered independence in 1960. Key
candidates seeking to take over the reins of power at Villa Somalia include
former Presidents, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, former
Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre, and Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni.
Outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, whose term expired in February
2021 has also thrown his hat in the ring.
The
majority of Somalis are clamouring for the return of Sheikh Sharif, a proven
leader with a strong vision for the country capable of resolving Somalia’s intractable
security, political and development challenges. He can be trusted to bring the
entire nation under a long-term clear vision that can lay a new foundation for
the country and deliver the people to the promised land. Of all the contending
candidates, no one can make a better president than Sheikh Sharif given his
visionary leadership, previous impeccable record in government as well as his
profound love for the country and its people. As a genuine political leader, he
has demonstrated an unwavering love for his country, its people, its culture,
and its heritage, and always makes a sincere effort to make Somalia a better
place for all.
Sheikh
Sharif is widely considered as the father of Somalia’s roadmap, a political
arrangement that moved the country from the 12-year long, transitional state to
a federal government. During his 2009-2012 stint in power, his government faced
obstacles that were unparalleled as it dealt with a deadly terrorist group
whose plan was “to topple the government as soon as it arrived.”
Against all odds, Sheikh Sharif’s government proved it could last as it took
the battle to A-Shabab, driving out the insurgents from Mogadishu in October
2011, before pushing them out of other major cities and towns. Apart from
pulling off Somalia’s most enduring victory over Al-Shabab, Sheikh Sharif’s
government achieved other important milestones in critical sectors including
good governance and reconstruction and in the humanitarian front where his
government effectively mobilized international support to mitigate the deadly
effects of the 2011 famine.
His
brand of leadership attracted the attention of international actors, especially
Turkey that has since become one of Somalia’s most dependable security and
development partners. Incredibly, his government’s stellar record came on the
back of a shoestring budget, in an era when Somalia was chronically short in
resources with minimal international aid trickling in. In sharp contrast, the
outgoing Farmajo government has enjoyed unprecedented international largesse to
the tune of billions with little to show for as the security situation
deteriorated under his watch with an emboldened insurgency wreaking havoc
across the country. If elected for a new term, Sheikh Sharif can be counted
upon to restore peace and security, unite and reconcile Somalis and reset the
country on the path of development, stability, and economic prosperity.
He
is admired for his selfless character and pleasant personality. Somalis love
him for his admirable traits such as integrity, honesty, fairness,
self-sacrifice, self-control, and perseverance and for his deeply held strong
moral values and core principles. While some leaders are known for their
despotism and totalitarian tendencies, the humble and down to earth Sheikh
Sharif sees himself first and foremost as a servant for his country and its
people. This is one of his distinctive attributes that has endeared him so well
to the Somali people earning the full respect of his peers and compatriots
alike.
Disturbingly,
conflict-induced despotism, corruption and moral decadence pervades in Somali
society today. At the helm, the country badly needs a head of state who can
effectively combine sound political, traditional, and religious leadership
roles. No political leader in Somalia can fit that bill better than Sheikh
Sharif. A holder of bachelor’s degree in law from Libyan and Sudanese
Universities, with graduate
studies credentials from Boston University and Oxford University, the
incorruptible Sheikh Sharif is known for his non-clannish conduct moral
uprightness and steadfastness. He is equally respected for his strong Somali
traditional values while his political and diplomatic skills will enable him to
safely steer and guide the national vessel through rough waters.
On
the diplomatic front, the last five years represent the darkest chapter in
Somalia’s history. According
to Diplo, a Swiss-Maltese
non-governmental organisation that specialises on capacity development,
Diplomatic Protocol is an important practice rooted in history, royalty, religion,
culture, and language and involves etiquette on a local and international
scene. It establishes the rules governing acceptable international behaviour on
the part of world leaders, diplomats, and nations of the world.
The
election of Sheikh Sharif would present an excellent opportunity to stamp out
the embarrassing belligerent culture of the dark days as he would bring on the
table his proven diplomatic acumen that served Somalia so well in the past.
During his previous tenure as president, Sheikh Sharif demonstrated strong
international affairs management. Unlike the outgoing incumbent who has been at
loggerheads with Somalia’s neighbours and international partners, Sheikh
Sharif’s calmness and maturity on the global stage received plaudits from regional
and international players. He maintained cordial diplomatic relations with
world leaders and forged healthy working relationship with Somalia’s partners,
including the donor community, United Nations, African Union, the Arab League,
IGAD etc.
Sheikh Sharif is a
strong consensus-builder with the ability to build bridges that can unite
Somalis holding diverse or conflicting political viewpoints. According to
Harvard’s Program on Negotiation (PON), consensus building is a process
involving a good-faith effort to meet the interests of all stakeholders and
seek a unanimous agreement.
Sheikh Sharif is well known for such quality, having pursued consensus-
building measures during his last term in office bringing together Somalis
fronting deeply polarized political agendas. Over the last five years, he
advanced similar initiatives as an opposition leader proactively engaging with
Somalia’s political
opposition,
civil society, and the general public. He was instrumental in mobilizing
previously fragmented Somali opposition parties leading them to work together
under the banner - the Forum for National Parties (FNP) that brought together
six major parties in 2019 forming Somalia’s first ever coalition outfit under
his leadership.
At
this critical juncture in Somalia’s history, the country needs a leader like
Sheikh Sharif capable of making tough and brave decisions for the better future
of the public and willing to listen to and respect the people’s voice while representing
them faithfully. He
is a statesman who can work collaboratively with the national leadership and
international partners to develop a concrete plan for change. A vote for Sheikh
Sharif, is a vote for renewal and better future for Somalia. It is a vote that
represents a positive change, peace and prosperity, unity, and reconciliation.
If
elected, Sheikh Sharif would help build a new Somalia free of despotism and
corruption. He would build a strong professional army that can effectively take
over Somalia ‘s security at the end of ATMIS mandate. He would restore law and
order, consolidate Somalia’s nascent democracy, end impunity, uphold justice
and respect for the rule of law. He would strengthen federal institutions,
foster better relations with federal member states, and bring the
constitutional process to a successful conclusion. Lastly, he would root out
the scourge of clannism and endemic state corruption, reconcile and unite all
Somalis and embark on a nation-building project that would make Somalia a force
to reckon with in the region as it takes its rightful place in the world.
Sayid Mohamed Ahmed Gurey
[email protected]