Almost a year has passed since
the election of Abdiweli Mohamed Ali “Gaas” as President of Puntland. Many
people, including this writer, welcomed his election and saw it as an
opportunity to develop Puntland and make it a beacon for the rest of Somalia.
Puntland, after all, has never attempted to secede from the rest of Somalia.
Given his unique background as a former economics professor and prime minister,
Gaas was expected to bring something new to Puntland.
In his first year, the president
succeeded in initiating a five-year development plan, taxation reform, a biometric
fishery database (a program that registered fishermen to distinguish them from
pirates), and stronger relations with the European Union. He also clamped down on
an Al-Shabaab stronghold in the Galgala Mountains, started an infrastructure
projects such as improving Bossasso Port and is now in the throes of building
an international airport there, established city councils in many towns, and finalized
the Garowe Bilateral Accord with the Federal Government. While one year is not sufficient time to
render a verdict on Gaas, I am very concerned about one aspect of his rule: His
frivolous travels and penchant for staying away from Garowe, the capital of
Puntland. Gaas is constantly traveling, mostly in the region. Many times, his
travels suggest he cannot wait to get out of Garowe for a change. Garowe is
growing fast and booming, but it is still a provincial city.
I doubt whether Gaas has spent an
entire month in Garowe since assuming office in January 2014. For a regional state
president, he has embarked on several international travels. While some of
these foreign travels were necessary, such as attending the Global African
Investment gathering in London in October, other trips were unnecessary, and Gaas
could have let other Puntland officials represent the region.
Why is President Gaas always
traveling?
The official version of the Puntland
Government is understandably simple: It is his job to travel. However, two
Puntland intellectuals who are Gaas supporters gave me two other reasons. One told
me that when Gaas is in Garowe, he is inundated with people who want to see
him. “This man [Gaas] actually works better when he is away from Garowe,” the
first intellectual said. The other intellectual gave a cynical answer and
suggested that Garowe is, after all, the stronghold of former President Abdirahman
Farole—the man Gaas defeated in the last elections—and his Ciise Maxamuud clan. “I guess, there is no love lost between Gaas
and the residents of Garowe,” the man lamented.
Perhaps, a satellite presidential
office in Bossasso, the largest city in Puntland, would be necessary in the
future, without diluting the power of Garowe.
One major deficiency of Somali
leaders is their tendency not to delegate. Unfortunately, federal and regional
presidents—since Siad Barre—have become used to getting involved in trivial
matters that detract from affairs of state. Tribal Elders, politicians, job
seekers, and others are always trying to see the president for a favor. This
system of patronage undermines the government and robs the president of valuable
time doing other important things. In the case of Puntland, I can understand
why Gaas is overwhelmed by people asking for favors. This is a practice Gaas
has to curtail. While the president is flattered by those who seek his
attention, time spent attending to these matters is time that could be devoted
to many important issues such governing. Perhaps, the president could delegate
this matter to his vice president, who has plenty of time at his disposal.
Setting up a day of the week specifically to see foreign dignitaries,
government officials, and tribal chieftains would ease the demand imposed on
Gaas’ busy schedule and enable him to prioritize his tasks.
Gaas has appointed a cadre of
ministers, some of whom I believe are capable of doing excellent jobs.
Unfortunately, they appear to have been marginalized by the president’s imposing
and looming presence. Many of the projects Gaas has attended, accompanied
inevitably by media fanfare, could be opened and introduced by his ministers. In
other words, Gaas does not have to be present at many of the projects being
launched in the region. A benefit of delegating officials to be on the front is
that it would give them incentives to do more and feel that they are all part
of a team working for the common good. It would also be in the interest of a
fair division of labor. Perhaps, a less obvious reason for Gaas not to occupy
the limelight all the time is the danger of over-exposure—a cruel reality in
politics. The public is unforgiving when it is tired of a politician who is
always in the news.
Another mindboggling phenomenon
in Puntland is the big crowd of VIPs that always arrives at the Garowe Airport
when the president returns from his trips. Dignitaries in waiting include the
vice president, ministers, deputy ministers, tribal chieftains, and students
carrying boards and pictures of the president. Is this really necessary? Why
are all these ministers at the airport welcoming the president when they should
be at their desks working? This is a
tradition Gaas needs to stop because it is a waste of resources and an exercise
in futility. Governance is work and accomplishment, whereas political
campaigning involves fanfare and constant exposure.
Finally, the new President of
Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, deserves to be acknowledgement as a leader of a
failed state that is in the process of recovery. Ghani is co-author of Fixing Failed States (2009), a book that
provides a practical guide to the reconstruction of post-conflict countries. In
his first month in office, Ghani instituted new changes in his administration.
He set a one-hour time limit on cabinet meetings, and even once refused his
powerful interior minister admission to a meeting because he was a few minutes
late. Ghani abolished lavish dinners at the presidential palace, saying that official
meetings were purely for business, not pleasure. He travels in the capital, Kabul, with a few
cars so as not to create traffic gridlock. He allows officials to give public
reports by allowing each one to speak for five minutes. Importantly, he has
stated, “We will create a scorecard of our promises and report back on their
delivery systematically.” These reforms have
rattled many in Afghanistan, who were used to doing business as usual. Gaas, like
Ghani, is a former professor who can do the same by introducing an efficient,
inclusive, accountable, and gender-sensitive government. Gaas is a different
breed of leader in Somalia because of his unique educational background and work
experience. He should lead better and be innovative. The first step, perhaps,
is eliminating his frivolous trips that cost the regional government badly
needed resources.
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