The greatest results in life are usually attained by simple means and the exercise of ordinary qualities. These may for the most part be summed up in these two: common-sense and perseverance. His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Somaliland has both qualities.
He is a man whose life and legacy could not be contained with its shores. He has dedicated his whole life to a dignified and righteous cause: the work of building hope, optimism and opportunity for Somaliland people where, before his administration came to power, too little of either existed. History shows again and again that behind every successful nation, there is a great man. President Silaanyo’s life and legacy is the biggest lesson, motivation, inspiration and commitment any Somaliland President can give to this Great Nation. He is a leader Treading Shores his Predecessors Dared Not!!
However, the leader who tries to succeed must expect to be criticized. The leader who makes a success of an important venture never wails for the crowd. It takes nerve, it takes a great lot of grit; but the man that succeeds has both. Success is the accomplishment of that which most people think can’t be done. Anyone can fail, but the public admires the leader who has enough confidence in himself to take a chance. These chances are the main things after all. Nothing important was ever done but the greater number consulted previously doubted the possibility. In any political campaign, politicians make campaign promises which they don’t usually put into action later after they win the election; however, unlike that, Silaanyo has subsequently fulfilled most of his campaign promises in accordance with all indications at hand e.g. free education, payment increases for all army and civil servants, offering ranks for the national army, infrastructure and many more!! If the reality on the ground is not twisted, President Silaanyo’s government combined change with growth, took far-sighted policy decisions, and subsequently demonstrated considerable problem solving abilities. In 4½ years time, the national budget was moved from 47 million USD in 2010 to 251 million USD in 2015 and the country is heading into an imperative economic milestone and better living standard. Beyond reasonable doubt, there is an economic growth and the overall economic status of the Republic of Somaliland has been since then significantly rising.
Armed Forces Ranks Structure:
President Ahmed Silaanyo knew like no other that well-functioning armed forces are extremely of vital importance for the country’s interest (in the areas of security, economic and social stability). Following the courage of his convictions, President Silaanyo has dared what none of his predecessors could have dared! With a sense of purpose and well balanced judgment, for the first time in Somaliland history, President Ahmed Silaanyo issued the Somaliland Armed Forces Ranks Structure (military, police and coastguard). The President understood that the Army Ranks System forms the backbone of the army’s discipline and structure and it defines a soldier or officer’s role and degree of responsibility. Further, the formal rank structure within the Somaliland Armed Forces is essential for the passing of orders in operations, the maintenance of good order and discipline and ensures the clarity of command. The moral well-being, self-esteem and future expectations of Somaliland armed forces (the protector and guardian of our homeland) have been thereby considerably enhanced.
The young generation’s dreams turns into reality:
If once the political landscape of our country were entirely considered as an issue reserved for the older and elite people, the current government under the leadership of President Ahmed Silaanyo has given these inequities a different twist and turn. President Ahmed Silaanyo has beyond compare understood that Somaliland’s young people are the future and the backbone of our nation. He understood the moral and social needs of young people and he gave them a real political capital and leadership opportunity which previously appeared to be impossible. Today, the young generations hold various high government positions that previously seemed to be impossible. Today in Somaliland, the young people with political ambitions have got every opportunity to exercise their Constitutional rights and to achieve their political ideals. It was President Silaanyo’s government initiative to encourage the young people to be actively engaged in the political dynamics as well as in the decision making process of the country. President Ahmed Silaanyo’s government has restored the young generation’s belief and trust in the political system, in government as well as in the democratic system in their country. President Ahmed Silaanyo turned the young generation’s dreams into reality.
Updated Information Sources & Public Awareness Building:
It has become a recurring common ritual of some failed, inconsistent and politically strayed politicians to voice constantly untruthful stories and baseless accusations towards the incumbent president, his immediate family members and the government he leads. They create mistrust and unsubstantiated narratives that consumes much of time and energy of many Somalilanders at home and in abroad.
So when these people attacking his government’s act, doing and get things done, they are often attacking the achievements and opted political direction of his government in the personality of the President. I believe the current Government’s Achievement also belongs to Somaliland people. Therefore, the Somaliland citizens have got every right to defend this government’s success and the realised social and economical progress. All what President Ahmed Silaanyo’s government needs is to find out an intelligent and sensible way to defend its policies, records and achieved results so far.
Making mistakes is human. When the government makes mistakes, they must be openly admitted and pledged for intervention and improvement and the lessons must be learned! Admitting mistakes committed by the government is not an indication of weakness; on the contrary, it is rather a sign of high moral fibre, self-confidence and leadership guts. In addition, the members of the government, no matter which level, should manifest (within and towards the public) as a well organised cabinet members who play as a team united and cohesive; with so much spirit, togetherness and self-belief. At any cost, the government members should avoid to be viewed (by the public) as untouchable, rich and remote from normal Somaliland citizens. They should prevent to be labelled as uncaring and unfeeling government elite who only put their interests above the public interest. Good information system, public awareness building and an active involvement of country’s citizens is the best way in which can be dealt with the negative impact of some biased-media outlets. I believe it is the duty of the government to provide its citizen an accurate, updated and reliable information sources. This will surely enable the government to combat and challenge the emerging negative media influences on the ordinary Somaliland citizen.
Conclusion:
Somaliland citizens were well aware of the unfavourable socio-economic circumstance with which the current government started when they took the office, where they have come from and where they are now after 4½ years. Somaliland citizens see and recognize the undeniable progress in different fields and the substantial achievement this government has made in four and half years time. The enormous socio-economic and political progress realized by KULMIYE government has given the current administration an added energy and effectiveness that continues to startle the Opposition parties’ credibility. President Silaanyo’s government achievements expose the limitations and lack of leadership acumen of the opposition parties whereby they do not constitute an alternative for the ruling party.
In the previous presidential elections in June 2010, KULMIYE party won neither by nepotism, clannish sentiment nor by a gamble!! IT WON by a probability calculation, intuition nourished by years of experience assessed by an optimally functioning party mechanism. Above all, a majestic moral high ground and self-certainty of the former party leader were the things that actually made the differences. However, in the upcoming presidential elections next time round, the vast majority of Somaliland voters will surely vote for the incumbent president. Simply because the results and social progress achieved by his government in 4½ years time speak for themselves and it forms the grounds upon which the Somaliland electorate will base for their voting decision.
God bless the Republic of Somaliland and its Noble People.
|By: Eng. Hussein Adan Igeh| Hussein Deyr| |Hargeysa, Republic of Somaliland
