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‘It's Imperative That Somalis Financially Contribute To The New Government’
30 June 2009
By Mohamed Awaleh
Have you noticed lately that the Somalis in Diaspora are drumming up for the new Government of Somalia, headed by President Sheik Sharif? I don't know about you but, personally, I'm worried my beloved people will be disappointed - and their feelings get hurt once again as soon as they realize this administration, like the previous government before it is going to be hijacked by foreign interest groups: I wonder if they really know what they are wowing about – or – they are simply feeling nostalgic. Don't get me wrong! They have rights to be excited – but I'm just curious. What makes them think this government will work this time? Or, are we waiting for the West to re-build our country? As for those of us who think that, do they ask themselves why would the West? Perhaps some of us have forgotten already; that the West is one of the external elements that took part in the destruction of our motherland in the first place. To me, it's like asking a wolf to look after sheep. Is that not ironic? Nation building doesn't come cheap, my brothers and sisters. It needs lots of money. We usually make noises and wave flags without thinking who's going to take the tab and rebuild the infrastructures including salaries of the government officials, soldiers' welfare, cost of law enforcement, civil servants wages etc. I bet answering this question never occurs to so many of us. In a discussion, I recently questioned one of our brothers who's going to pay the salaries of the new government officials. To my astonishment, he pointed to the UN, EU and the US’. How could one desire independence and freedom; and at the same time beg others to feed his citizens? I don't get it! Are you aware that salaries of the previous administration, under President Abdullahi Youssouf; were debited to the UN-DP, which was defaulted with wages for the cabinet and the members of the parliaments (Between $2000 and $1600 US dollars, I gathered)? The bill not to mention the Tigrian’s domination purportedly made by regimes like Ethiopian government could not be settled without an interest. Yet wonder why ill-equipped government like the previous ones failed alongside their self-serving foreign sponsors. With an unsettled issues like this, how could we expect to see a free and independent, while we - as individuals - do not fulfill such simple but ever necessary civic duties like national contributions mandatory for any successful nation. It doesn't work that way in the real world. Whoever pays the bills have the last word. Oh! My beloved Somalis! Wake up and smell the coffee. If we are serious about our aspiration for the success of this infant government, under President Sheik Sharif, and wish to revive our infrastructures including re-building and repairing roads/highways, water system, electricity, energy, hospitals, schools, agriculture, factories and you name it, we ought to be contributing financially. We are fortunate today, the children of Somalia are scatter all over the world, putting them in an able position to gear up to the task. If one million of us donate to the new administration until they put their feet on the ground, no doubt, it would definitely ease the external pressure, and concentrate the needs of our people and development of our nation. I know this idea is not immune from cynic dismissal, deeming it an impracticable duty. Some might even argue that we can't trust each other. It's not a secrete that the Jewish Diasporas have been assisting financially the State of Israel ever since it's creation in 1948. Remember, the American-Italians to their homeland (Italy), after second War World. So had the Eritreans abroad more challengingly for thirty years. These Diasporas all helped establish their countries of origin. Why can't we? Of course, we need first consult our legal, banking and tax experts in order to proceed this endeover - and these professionals among the Somalis are not in short supply. Therefore, here's what I think should be done: a) The Somali Government must open up an account to one of those free of Riba, Islamic Banks (priority the Somali Institutions) b) Each Somali living abroad should put in $20.00 a month as a charity. c) Put together local transparency committees or watchdog organizations into wherever countries or cities each community are residing. d) Work with the Ministry of the Diasporas. e) Somalis in Diaspora must join the government in order to have a voice. This action, I believe, will give the Somali Diaspora a political leverage to influence policies and help stabilize our country for the greater good.
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