Let me start with ‘happy new year’. It has been just yesterday when I thought of to start a yearly article - Somaliland in focus - shedding light on the real situation on the ground and the opportunities/threats ahead. However, I am very happy that many of our last year’s dreams have come true.
Here comes a great year again- 2011, with my people and beloved country looking forward to reach the stars and have a brighter future ahead.
On one hand I am convinced that that 2010 was the best year for Somaliland so far when I look back and see the democratic elections and the peaceful transfer of power which is rarely seen in Africa and the whole third world countries. On the other hand, I am somehow skeptic about a valuable time and energy we have lost on unhealthy political disagreements and millions of hours we have wasted on QAT chewing.
In the eve of the new year, 2011, which I wasn’t sure if I could witness, Somaliland is on its way to progress and prosperity if and only if we, the people, take the responsibility to develop our country on our own shoulders. The new government is also expected to make us focused and lead us to clear and precise objectives/goals to achieve.
At the beginning of the new year there were two largely welcomed news from the new government. Despite the fact that there are huge economic challenges still hindering the world markets, leading to countries over the world form Austria to Australia, from Washington to Warso from Kapetown to Kazapalanka, to cut their budgets, reduce the pay rate and squeeze their spending, Somaliland has set the record for the new year when President Silanyo’s government announced a 100% increase of salaries for all government employees, including the military and police forces. Furthermore, it was the second best news and relief to thousands of low income families who were struggling to pay their children’s schools fees when they heard that the primary and intermediate schools are free from now.
From the economic point of view, I am confident that the above moves will help our nation to be a better position and the income of our citizens to increase compared to that of the last year. However, we also need to put greater attention and attract on foreign investments to create jobs and develop our poor infrastructure.
In the political aspect, Somaliland is on the verge to be recognized after the historic referendum in South Sudan on 9th Jan, 2011. The result is not yet officially announced but it is widely expected that overwhelming majority will choose SS to be the 54th independent country in Africa. After this complete shift to the so called African excuse that ‘African boundaries can’t be changed’ Somaliland should be the 55th country in Africa. We have to diplomatically stretch our muscles and show that the whole world has interest on us; otherwise all our argument will be turned to deaf ears as it has been for the last 20 years. Having the qualified and experienced Dr. M. Omar, Dr. M. Rashid and the likes as our foreign policy drivers I am absolutely confident that they will grasp the attention of many countries which will eventually lead us to be internationally recognized.
Today, we have to work hard to show our potential and make our ends meet. Similarly, in the long-run, we have to keep in mind that, “Freedom is not something that can be given. Freedom is something people take, and people are as free as they want to be”. Hence we have no reason to close our hands and wait for others to recognize us, but we have to show them concrete reasons to recognize us!
By: Mr. Jama Ismail Noor.
BA in Economics and Management Science (IHU)
MBA cndt in Project Management (Open University of Malaysia)
Hargeisa, Somaliland
E-mail: Jaamacyare11@hotmail.com / qude2002@gmail.com
Web: Jamaqude.blogspot.com
Here comes a great year again- 2011, with my people and beloved country looking forward to reach the stars and have a brighter future ahead.
On one hand I am convinced that that 2010 was the best year for Somaliland so far when I look back and see the democratic elections and the peaceful transfer of power which is rarely seen in Africa and the whole third world countries. On the other hand, I am somehow skeptic about a valuable time and energy we have lost on unhealthy political disagreements and millions of hours we have wasted on QAT chewing.
In the eve of the new year, 2011, which I wasn’t sure if I could witness, Somaliland is on its way to progress and prosperity if and only if we, the people, take the responsibility to develop our country on our own shoulders. The new government is also expected to make us focused and lead us to clear and precise objectives/goals to achieve.
At the beginning of the new year there were two largely welcomed news from the new government. Despite the fact that there are huge economic challenges still hindering the world markets, leading to countries over the world form Austria to Australia, from Washington to Warso from Kapetown to Kazapalanka, to cut their budgets, reduce the pay rate and squeeze their spending, Somaliland has set the record for the new year when President Silanyo’s government announced a 100% increase of salaries for all government employees, including the military and police forces. Furthermore, it was the second best news and relief to thousands of low income families who were struggling to pay their children’s schools fees when they heard that the primary and intermediate schools are free from now.
From the economic point of view, I am confident that the above moves will help our nation to be a better position and the income of our citizens to increase compared to that of the last year. However, we also need to put greater attention and attract on foreign investments to create jobs and develop our poor infrastructure.
In the political aspect, Somaliland is on the verge to be recognized after the historic referendum in South Sudan on 9th Jan, 2011. The result is not yet officially announced but it is widely expected that overwhelming majority will choose SS to be the 54th independent country in Africa. After this complete shift to the so called African excuse that ‘African boundaries can’t be changed’ Somaliland should be the 55th country in Africa. We have to diplomatically stretch our muscles and show that the whole world has interest on us; otherwise all our argument will be turned to deaf ears as it has been for the last 20 years. Having the qualified and experienced Dr. M. Omar, Dr. M. Rashid and the likes as our foreign policy drivers I am absolutely confident that they will grasp the attention of many countries which will eventually lead us to be internationally recognized.
Today, we have to work hard to show our potential and make our ends meet. Similarly, in the long-run, we have to keep in mind that, “Freedom is not something that can be given. Freedom is something people take, and people are as free as they want to be”. Hence we have no reason to close our hands and wait for others to recognize us, but we have to show them concrete reasons to recognize us!
By: Mr. Jama Ismail Noor.
BA in Economics and Management Science (IHU)
MBA cndt in Project Management (Open University of Malaysia)
Hargeisa, Somaliland
E-mail: Jaamacyare11@hotmail.com / qude2002@gmail.com
Web: Jamaqude.blogspot.com
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