Somalia: Unity and Solidarity are Indispensable to State-building Initiatives

By Siyad Ali Jama

Political leaders who pluck up the courage to own up to mistakes could leave a worthy legacy

Now is the time we did things differently. It is never too late to apologise for wrong done, an apology will speed up healing and reconciliation, and it is a small price to pay. Political leaders who pluck up the courage to own up to mistakes could leave a worthy legacy. We, Somalis, seem to have lost all hope of a better life, we have become people who have ceased to even dream of a better day.

In our hearts each of us feels the pain; our rage have smouldered beneath the sands too deep and soon it may erupt. We are desperate people, wretched people; we had taken stands and lived with consequences.

Confidence is everything. Our worldly friendly states showed us their true colours, arrogance and greed. They are exploiting the gullibility of our leaders. We must accept responsibility to care for each other, and stop turning a blind eye to the reality that actions which divide us are not solution; we have to replace the hackneyed, old story that we are driven by clan interests rather than a national interest.

The challenges that Somalia faces are complex, multifaceted and differ according to various political, social and regional contexts. The strategy to address these challenges and effectively lead Somalia on a path of recovery, development and durable peace, must include:

  1. Our first step is to settle our disputes amicably and fairly
  2. Secondly we need to make sure we have a good position at home manifested in l institutions based on political accountability.
    Then we can start to investigate various options because Somalia’s challenges are vast and unnerving. The goal is
    a). To Focus on intuitionally sound government structures capable of delivering basic services, Peoples’ trust, inter-community mediation and community participation, sound civic dialogue, and committed leadership will have to form the basis for our strategy designed to reinforce the dynamism of the Somali people and the linkages between the different layers of Somali Society.
    b). Good and friendly international relations based on mutual respect
    c). Respect for fundamental human rights
    d). Freedoms and equality of Somali Citizens

Success has no a particular name or identity. Success is having achieved that which we determine we will do! We determine what success is for us. It is not based on any judgement other than our own. All successful nations, however, have one thing in common — determination.