The Core Problem: Leadership, Accountability, and the MoU Dilemma:

By Shamso Shegow-@SpotonSomalia

The recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by Muse Bihi’s administration has sparked widespread concern and debate, both domestically and internationally. But while much of the focus has been on the document itself, the deeper problem lies in the leadership that allowed it to happen. Muse Bihi’s actions are part of a larger crisis in leadership that has plagued Somalia for years, where decisions are often driven by desperation, self-interest, and a lack of accountability.

The bigger issue Somalia faces is not just dealing with desperate agreements like Bihi’s MoU but confronting the fractured political landscape that allows such decisions to be made in the first place. Somalia’s central government has struggled to foster unity, paving the way for regional entities to act as near-independent states. This growing disconnect is emblematic of a deeper governance crisis that Somalia must address.

The Failed Somaliland Project: Secessionism and the Roots of Instability

At the heart of Muse Bihi’s recent actions is the frustration and failure surrounding Somaliland’s secessionist project. For over 30 years, leaders in Somaliland have sought to break away and form an independent state, driven by grievances over perceived marginalization, corruption, and an exclusionary power-sharing system in Somalia.

However, the project has now reached a point of disintegration. The massacre in Goojacade, which led to the departure of SSC-Khatumo from the Somaliland alliance, and recent declarations from Awdal that the secessionist project is dead, expose the deep fractures within Somaliland. Muse Bihi’s attempt to gain recognition through the MoU is a desperate move, a final attempt to salvage legitimacy in a region that no longer views itself as united.

The Central Government’s Role: Failure to Reconcile and Unite

Beyond Somaliland, Somalia as a whole is grappling with an equally troubling challenge: the central government’s failure to foster genuine reconciliation and national unity. The central government in Mogadishu has historically failed to engage in meaningful dialogue with the various regions and address the grievances that stemmed from the civil war. These grievances, left unresolved for decades, have led to widespread distrust in national institutions, with many Somalis trusting only their clans to protect their interests.

This failure to address the core issues of marginalization and injustice has enabled regional entities to flourish as quasi-independent states. Puntland, South West, Hirshabelle, Jubbaland, and Galmudug all function as clan-based regional entities, each with its own president, parliament, and government apparatus. In practice, these regions act as independent states, reflecting the absence of a unifying central authority.

The federal system, designed to decentralize power, has instead deepened fragmentation. Rather than fostering unity, it has allowed clan-based regional administrations to act autonomously, often in defiance of the central government. Mogadishu has been unable to bring these regions together under a common national vision, and as a result, Somalia is more fractured today than ever before.

The Leadership Crisis: A Pattern of Desperation

Muse Bihi’s signing of the recent MoU is part of a larger pattern of poor leadership that exists not only in Somaliland but across Somalia. Leaders throughout the country—both at the regional and national levels—have repeatedly made decisions driven by desperation, self-interest, or short-term political gains.

A prime example of this is the 2009 MoU signed between the Somali government and Kenya, which triggered the maritime dispute between the two countries. This agreement, like Bihi’s MoU, was made without proper oversight or consultation and has led to long-term consequences, including a drawn-out legal battle over maritime boundaries in the Indian Ocean. Ironically, the 2009 MoU resulted in Somalia fighting to reclaim what was hers in the first place—a portion of its territorial waters. This debacle illustrates the danger of signing hasty agreements that are neither transparent nor well-informed, leaving the country entangled in disputes that could have been avoided with proper governance.

Worse, this tendency for non-transparent deals has now become a feature of the current government in Mogadishu. Recent MoUs and deals signed by the federal government lack transparency and do not go through parliamentary oversight. This secrecy is deeply concerning for the country’s future, as these deals could have long-term ramifications that threaten national sovereignty, economic stability, or even territorial integrity. The thought of such unvetted agreements and their potential impact on future generations is nightmarish. These deals, signed behind closed doors and without consultation, risk embroiling Somalia in disputes similar to the maritime conflict with Kenya or creating internal divisions over land, resources, or international relations.

The broader issue is not just one of poor governance but a deep-rooted problem with how power is exercised in Somalia. Corruption, clan loyalties, and the lack of a long-term vision for the country have crippled the ability of leaders to act in the best interests of Somalia as a whole. As a result, the country is stuck in a cycle of reactionary politics, where decisions are made to address immediate crises rather than to foster long-term stability.

The Need for Genuine Reconciliation and Inclusive Governance

To prevent future crises like this, Somalia must move beyond crisis management and address the underlying issues that have fueled instability and division for decades. At the heart of this is the need for genuine reconciliation and inclusive governance. Somalia’s future cannot rest solely on reacting to desperate decisions by it’s leaders. Instead, the country must foster national dialogue, bringing together stakeholders from all regions to the negotiating table.

A genuine reconciliation process must address the grievances that led to the secessionist movements and the establishment of clan-based regional entities. The power-sharing system, driven by clan affiliations and personal interests, has alienated large segments of the population, leaving many to feel that they have no stake in Somalia’s national future.

Additionally, Somalia’s leaders must transcend their clan-based loyalties and corruption-driven motivations to establish a governance structure that reflects the nation’s diverse regions and communities. This means creating a system that is not solely defined by clan divisions but one that promotes fairness, accountability, and inclusion at all levels of government.

Preventing Future Desperate Moves

To hinder desperate solutions like Muse Bihi’s MoU or any other ill-conceived agreements from happening again, Somalia must prioritize three key measures:

1. Inclusive Governance: Somalia must reform its political system to create a genuinely inclusive government that gives all regions a voice. The current federal system, while necessary for decentralization, must be recalibrated to ensure that regional entities do not act as independent states but function as part of a united Somalia.
2. Reconciliation and Addressing Grievances: Somalia’s leadership must actively engage in reconciliation processes that address the grievances born from the civil war and decades of marginalization. This includes acknowledging the trauma of the past and creating a framework for national healing that promotes unity rather than division.
3. Accountability for Leaders and Transparency in Deal-Making: Leaders who make decisions that harm national unity or international standing must be held accountable. This applies not only to regional leaders like Muse Bihi but also to the central government in Mogadishu. Ensuring that all agreements—domestic or international—go through proper parliamentary oversight is crucial to preventing rash decisions with long-term consequences. Moreover, transparency in deal-making is essential to protect the nation from entering into agreements that could have disastrous implications for Somalia’s future, be it economically, diplomatically, or territorially.

Conclusion: A Call for National Unity, Accountability, and Transparent Leadership

The MoU signed by Muse Bihi is not an isolated incident but a reflection of the broader issues plaguing Somalia as a whole. After decades of secessionist movements, clan-based politics, and corruption-driven leadership, Somalia is deeply fragmented. Regional entities like Puntland, South West, Jubbaland, and others function almost as independent states, while the central government struggles to bring them together under a unified national vision.

Furthermore, the trend of signing secretive deals without transparency or proper oversight has extended to the current Somali government itself. These non-transparent MoUs risk having catastrophic long-term consequences that could destabilize the country further and embroil Somalia in future conflicts, both internal and external. The 2009 MoU with Kenya is a cautionary tale: Somalia’s fought to reclaim what was hers in the first place. The thought of these opaque agreements coming to light years from now, with irreversible ramifications, is nightmarish.

Somalia must break the cycle of reactive politics and take proactive steps toward genuine reconciliation, inclusive governance, and accountability. This means fostering national dialogue, addressing the core grievances of regions that feel marginalized, and ensuring that future leadership decisions are driven by the interests of the Somali people, not by desperation or self-interest.

By embracing these changes, Somalia can prevent further desperate moves like the MoU and begin to build a future where all regions feel invested in the nation’s success. It is only through leadership that transcends clan affiliations and focuses on national unity, accountability, and transparency that Somalia can finally move beyond its fractured past and build a stable, prosperous future for all its people.

By: Shamsa Sheegow – 2024-08-15