The framers of the
constitution contemplated this sense of participatory and inclusive government informed
by the need to entrench democracy and open up governance to every citizen.
Emerging from a dark history of military dictatorship that culminated in a
three-decade civil war, Somalis were cautious in designing a constitution which
cushioned the country from future autocracy.
Despite these
crucial safeguards, subsequent governments have hardly considered public
inclusion in the business of governance. In line with Uistaag Dadka iyo Dalka
platform compaign of ” Danta guud ayaa ka horeeysa danaha qaaska ah” and to envisage the need of public
participation in Somalia government, lets lights up the improper to get it
fixed
Public
Finance Management
The concept of
statehood is anchored on a donation of power and authority from the people to a
select group of individuals who are either elected or appointed. These
individuals are then vested with these powers and authority to manage the affairs
of the state on behalf of its subjects. It follows therefore that those tasked
with this responsibility are also obliged to consult the citizens on how they
intend to manage resources. In Somalia, the Provisional Constitution express,
the Public Finance Management Act demand that the government seeks the input of
the public in appropriation and spending of public money. This include seeking
the thinking and comments from the public for instance during the budget making
process, determination of projects to be funded within a particular fiscal
period among other imperatives.
The Federal
Parliament passed a $970 million for the 2023 fiscal year following a
submission for approval by the Council of Ministers. This is by far the largest
budget vote in Somalia’s history yet the public had no substantial input. There
were no visible and witnessable public participation sessions either in
Mogadishu or at the Federal States level. This effectively means the budget
was drawn by few technocrats, reviewed at ministerial level and transmitted to
parliament which hardly subjects the process to in-depth scrutiny and
connectively There is no excuse for inclusive public participation in
Somali’s public Finance management – Accountability and tranprancy is
number one crucial elements in functioning governance and Presedent Hassan
should revisit this and fix it
Governance
and democratic processes
Another key area
which calls for robust public participation and engagement is deliberation on
governance and democratic processes. This includes for example the choice of an
electoral model, the composition of constitutional bodies, constitutional
review process among others. The constitutional review process in particular is
an area which demands active participation and input from the public. Although
there were limited of public engagements during the previous administration,
the process was marred by conflicts between the Ministry of Justice and the
Independent Constitution Review Commission (ICRIC) on which entity had the
mandate to conduct the process. By law, the ICRIC is constitutionally mandated
to undertake the constitutional review process but that role was usurped by the
Justice Ministry. As a result, there are more than three versions of the
Provisional Constitution drafts.
It is therefore
incumbent upon the current administration to get it right once and for all the
constitutional review process by not only widening public participation but
setting the record straight on which mandated body should lead the process.
Critical also for Somalia now is the electoral formula for the 2024 elections.
The two administrations since the formation of the internationally recognized
government in 2012 relegated the electoral question to the last half of their
terms thus failing to agree and develop an acceptable and functional electoral
model. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud should now seize the earliest
opportunity to open up public debate and engagements on which electoral model
Somalis want. This includes reviewing the Elections Act to ensure it captures
the aspirations and desires of all Somalis.
Environmental
impact assessment
International best
practices demand that the public should be widely involved in decision-making
regarding the development of properties whose functioning could pose a significant
impact on the surrounding community. This could include the setting up of
factories, dams, and mining sites among others. Of note is that these projects
need not necessarily be implemented by the government to require public
participation. Specialised government agencies can also institute public
participation regarding the development of private-sector projects in the
interest of the public.
Moving
forward:
the Federal
Government and Federal Member States must embrace public participation as an unavoidable-important
component of their governance. It builds public confidence in the government,
promotes transparency, tackles corruptions and group & personal interests and
instils discipline in the management of public resources and affairs.
Abdirahman
Yusuf Ali is Social and Peace activist runs Uistaag Dadka iyo Dadka plarform – the
platform aim to support accountability and trasprancy, better democracy and
governance in Somalia. he can be reached at Uistaagdadkaiyodalka@gmail.co or Adv.fmoys@gmail.com
