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| Last Updated: Dec 14, 2011 - 11:39:16 AM |
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Somalia: Is Dalha after power or after reform?
24 Jun 24, 2010 - 2:35:34 AM
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On June 23rd, 2010 a group of 176 Somali legislators have announced that they are “pushing for changes to the law that dictates how power is shared between the country's clans because they believe it is discriminatory, a former deputy speaker said on Tuesday.”
The statement to Reuters went on to say: “Mohamed Omar Dalha, “a member of the newly-formed Umbrella for Guidance and Rescuing the Nation, would seek to abolish Article 29 of the Transitional Federal Charter that institutes a power-sharing governance structure for Somalia's clan-based politics. According to a formula in the charter, Somalia's four major clans each receive 122 seats in the 550-seat parliament. The remaining 62 seats go to an alliance of dozens of minority clans.
The controversial formula ensures that top leaders such as the president, prime minister, speaker and key ministers are picked from major clans.”
Mr. Dalha was one of the active Members of the Transitional Parliament during both President Abdullahi Yusuf’s tenure and now during President Sheikh Sharif’s Presidency. When we saw the statement the first thing which came to mind was that Mr. Dalha was feed up with the tribal system itself where parliamentarians and officials are not chosen by ability but by clan. But soon in the statement we could not believe to suss out the intention behind the statement. Mr. Dalha is like many before him after power only his route to power is by enlarging and consolidating the vote of Somalis who were unfairly described as 0.5 under the clan power sharing.
What actually Mr. Dalha is saying is we are fed up with leaders coming from major clans and why not now it is our turn to rule the country by increasing the share of clans Mr. Dalha represents. Mr. Dalha is not by any means mincing words. He means business. He is eyeing this time the leadership of the nation.
Mr. Dalha who was one of the good guys in the Parliament was vocal about many issues. At a time he visited Syria, he managed to release Somalis from prisons after appealing to the Syrian government.
It is our observation that Mr. Dalha too has joined the lost list before him of power seekers in Somalia. That is most unfortunate as the Somali Transitional Parliament is full of characters who at one time or another wanted or even fought to lead Somalia.
Mr. Dalha should not go down that well known route. He should not spoil the good name he has established with the Somali people. He is a useful Member of the Parliament and he should continue to fight against bad practices. He should be careful not to be seen like the many before him who are only after power. He should continue to serve the interest of the Somali people not personal ambition.
GAROWE ONLINE
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