Bittersweet? #SomaliaAt60

#SomaliaAt60

It was the eve of Friday July 1st 1960 when many gathered the streets of Mogadishu (Xamar) to truly witness history, to join in the infectious celebratory mood of the people or for many, to genuinely witness with their own eyes such a surreal moment. The Italian flag was lowered, and the blue and white flag of Somali Republic raised to replace it marking the end of colonization and the unity of 2 regions of Somaliweyn (Greater Somalia); Italian Somaliland and British Somaliland.

Somalia is situated in the Horn of Africa where it is bordered by Kenya in the south, Ethiopia in the west, Djibouti up north and the Indian Ocean to the East. Within recent decades, Somalia has become a synonymous term in the western world for ‘failed statehood’, ‘piracy’ and ‘chaos’ after the collapse of the central government in 1991 that led to a long-lasting civil war. But those who are familiar with Somali culture understand that being resilient is well embedded within their culture and thus, explains the fast changing climate within Somalia that now compels the international stage to reassess their prior verdict on the nascent nation.

Within the last decade or so, Somalia has been in an intense internal battle to return to some sense of normality enjoyed by states with a fully functioning central government. Although it is well known that the Transitional Federal Government has provided a firm foundation to build on; it is not debatable that the Federal Government of Somalia has made massive strides recently. Here are a few examples of successes recently:

Internationally

• Internationally, the young nation has made immense progress to relocate itself on the international stage; from the election of Ambassador Abukar Osman as Vice President in the United Nations 75th General Assembly (UNGA) to re-establishing foreign diplomatic ties with international actors. Somalia has served the post of the UNGA Vice President three times before; the last being 1986. Reelection to this role is a positive indicator of stability and a growing international presence.
• The Federal Government of Somalia has also begun to initiate conversations with breakaway state of ‘Somaliland’ in recent efforts of promoting cohesion with trade, security and matters of national importance. The first talks of its kind.
• Another indication of diplomatic maturity can be seen by Somalia tactically positioning itself as neutral in both the Gulf crisis and in the Nile dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt.

Ambassador Abukar Osman at the UN

Economically

• The initiation of the World Bank via a Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Scheme to remove the $5 billion dollar debt amassed enabling the introduction of economic strategies to propagate growth and poverty reduction.
• This has enabled the Ministry of Finance to double the national budget to $469.5 million for the annual year of 2020 whereby the wages of the SNA were increased to a minimum $230 a month.

Military

• Reformation of the Somali National Army (SNA) is also another strong indication of positive progression as for the first time since before the civil war; biometric registration, effective training and continuous payment was introduced as early as 2018. This follows the adoption of a new National Security Architecture, endorsed in the London Security Pact by all parties during present during the London Somalia Conference in May 2017.
• Not only has the SNA been successful in removing Al-Shabab from strongholds but also the reincorporation and rehabilitation of former militia or extremist group members has been actively occurring.

Somali National Army.

Sports

• For the first time in 36 years Somalia Mens National Team ‘ Ocean Stars’ won their first qualifier against Zimbabwe in September 2019. The last qualifying game won by Somalia was in 1984 against Kenya.

Ocean Stars

• Captained by 19 year old Iqra Ismail, the first Somali International Womens team ever played against Zimbabwe in December 2019.

Somalia’s Women Team in South Africa.

• Revival of Somali national sport teams is a massive boost of morale for Somalis internationally, who have not seen their national team hold any weight in any league for decades. It signifies that Somalia is re-emerging in the international scene in all forms including sports.

Isxilqan

• A national programme called ‘Isxilqan’ aims to include local residents in restoring national symbols such as Statues, the National Stadium, The National Library, and The National Museum. This promotes a sense of ownership in the rejuvenation of their nation but also for the first time in decades, restores monuments that promote national pride.

Somali National Stadium.

Elections

• Somalia is gearing up for the first national One Person One Vote Election since 1967 after 53 years in 2021.

Despite recent successes, the fact that such simple components enjoyed freely in more developed nations, such as the democratic right of the franchise, is a monumental step in Somalia is a grave indication that all recent progress is a mere tip of the iceberg. Due to the fact that the implementation of such a basic right is being inhibited by a host of interwoven factors that stem from half-hearted reform; Somalia needs to ask itself if it is truly ready for change.

Somalia needs complete massive, unprecedented reform; you cannot aim to build a house with foundations that are not stern and supportive. Somalia cannot aim to create a new whilst holding onto the old.

The tough questions need to be asked. Questions such as the effectiveness of the current federal system and whether it is coherent in Somalia’s climate. Questions regarding whether a re-evaluation of federal and state constitutions is required. Questions one must ask and then vehemently seek answers for.

60 years later, another generation flocks the streets to get a glimpse of the opening of national artifacts such as the stadium, library, and national theatre. At a day and age where many composers of modern-day Somali politics, culture and history are slowly being lost; the feeling of reviving Somalia’s former glory feels bittersweet.

60 years later, all those who have been through the journey with Somalia cannot help but become overwhelmed with the same bittersweet feeling that accompanies the changing tide of fate and the understanding that this is merely just the beginning.

Somaliyaa Haa Noolato.