NURAN DIRIE

Puntaland, a self governing region in the bigger Somalialand is set to hold it elections earlysome time this next year. Nuradin Dirie, who was until recently the Special Adviser to the Country Representative of the United Nations Children Education Fund, UNICEF , is set to gun for the presidency of Puntaland. Garowe Online’s East African Bureau Chief Kenneth Oduor caught up with him in Nairobi.

Below are the excerpts of the interview.

GO: Mr.Dirie could you tell me about yourself?

Dirie: Thank you so much. I was born and brought up in Somalia. I later went to the United Kingdom where I studiedstudied, lived and later worked for over tenseveral years. I came back to Somalia three years ago and coordinated the International Humanitarian response worked as the team leader for the humanitarian response duringto the Tsunami disaster. I was later privileged to work with UnicefUNICEF as the Special Adviser to the UNICEFnicef Somalia Country Representative. I have since resigned from UnicefUNICEF to pursue my political aspirations.

GO: What has motivated you to liveleave a comfortable job with the United Nations to join the murky of politics?

Dirie: It is important to realize that it is very easy for people to stay in their comfort zones. But if we all enjoy being in our comfort zones then nothing will change around us. Somalia and Puntaland specifically, is suffering from a crisis of political leadership. Somalia has been in a crisis for 17 years and no change has taken place. Those of us from Somalia who are privileged to be educated have two choices. They either remain comfortable with the status quo or take charge to bring change to our beloved country.

GO: Have you ever been involved in politics in Puntaland before or political squabbles in that country?

Dirie: While I can’t say that I have been involved in real politics in Puntaland before, I have worked closely with the government and the community in the course of my work with humanitarian agencies in that country. This is in itself a political process. I should put it straight that I have never been involved in political squabbles in Puntland. I am actually running for a political office in Somalia for the first time.

GO: There are talks that you are from the same clan as President Yusuf of Somalia. If indeed this is true do you think it would jeopardize your chances of success?

Dirie: Absolutely not! All Somalis people from Puntland are from the same family and all people in Somalia belong to the same clan. Achieving success or not is all dependent on who has the passion to bring change that the people can identify with. I have the passion to bring that change.

GO: What are some of the changes you wish to bring if you got political power?

Dirie: I want to bring an inclusive political leadership. It is only through this that peace, stability and justice can be achieved for our people. The economy of Puntaland is not functioning. I want to build a public finance management system to make Puntland the place for businesscreate avenues for business. I have worked and lived in Puntaland and I think that gives me the advantage to know what is critical for the people there.

GO: Any comment on the ongoing Somalia peace talks?

I think it was a good decision for the SGSR Mr. Abdullah to initiate the talks. While the peace talks are a step in the right direction, the implementation of its recommendations is of critical importance.

GO: Are they inconclusive enough in your opinion?

Dirie: I think the SGSR tried very hard to make it as inconclusive as possible. But it is important to realize that to expect them to be fully inconclusive is too ambitious. The door should however be left open for those who would want to join in the process.

GO: Do you have the blessing of your family in your political endeavor?

Dirie: I wouldn’t have made such a decision without involving them. I consulted widely before I made any decisions.

GO: Thank you very much and best of luck in your political undertakings.

Source:Garowe Online