Halbeeg News (Editorial) – Last week, Galmudug State which comprises of Galmudug and part of Mudug regions had elected its third president since its inception in 2015.
To form government for Galmudug and to restore law and order in the state, the federal government of Somalia spent a lot time. Remarkably, the government did a lot for Galmudug compared to other regional states in the country.
The establishment of the state came as a result of process to merge ex-Hibin and Heb, Ahlu-Sunna Waljama and Galmudug State whose base was Galkayo town. Despite the tangible efforts by the federal government, still the young regional state in central Somalia struggles to iron out the internal political standoff.
But many may ask themselves why Galmudug is unable to resolve the longstanding differences, why it is still under development in spite of having opportunities which might not be available for other regional states in the country.
Window of opportunity
Unlike most of other regional states, Galmudug controls large swath of territories as whereas some other regional States administrate small areas because the terror group man part of those states. This state has links with Somali capital, Mogadishu in different ways. First one, majority of the federal leaders hail from this state, therefore it has strong relationship with the federal government.
Likewise, well known politicians, entrepreneurs in different parts of the country especially Mogadishu have their origin in this state. Despite having all these opportunities, the state is yet to stand on its own feet.
Sons of Galmudug spend time opposing federal gov’t
Majority of politicians from Galmudug spend their time to criticise the federal government rather than resolving the political crises in Galmudug State.
Actually, their move to oppose the government has no relation with development in their constituencies but they fight for their personal interests.
For instance, the main opposition of the newly elected president of Galmudug are the MPs and politicians who represent his state in the federal government. Instead of supporting him to resolve the crisis in the state, they chose to disintegrate his administration.
By comparing politicians from Puntland with the ones from Galmudug, one can realise where problem of Galmudug lies because it is very rare cases to see Puntland politicians working against development in Puntland state.
There is no doubt that there are some politicians who are not happy with how the current leaders of Puntland govern the state but they are united for the betterment of the public although some analysts argue that there are some individuals joined their hands to get more stake than they deserve.
Unity and transparency
To make use of these opportunities, elders and intellectuals should stand to iron out the differences and to restore peace in central Somalia.
Currently, there are ongoing efforts by locals in Dhusameeb town to support the newly elected president, Ahmed Abdi Kariye, a move which could restore hope in the state. The elders in the state welcomed the election of Mr. Kariye and pledged to help Kariye resolve the differences.
Galmudug State is yet to cover the needs of its public and provide social amenities, forcing some of its locals to move to Mogadishu, while others are suffering in the state. Despite all these challenges, there is third group including politicians who only visit the area for election or re-election but not to participate in the development projects.
However, Galmudug needs competent elders who are committed working on creating unity in the state as well as holding accountable their representatives in federal government.
The elders who are responsible for selecting both federal and regional lawmakers should realise and know how to exercise their powers as they are the final decision makers of the state. The elders should lead peace mission to convince the opposing sides and end conflict for good.
Political stability and free-conflict zone could lead the implementation of development projects. Therefore, it is clear that it is not good for the conflict raved Galmudug State to disagree with the federal government, so it upon the elders to encourage the public to unite and work for the betterment of the state and hold accountable the politicians spending their time in political crisis which has no benefit for Galmudug State.
Conflict resolution
Despite Galmudug having a recognised administration whose election was welcomed by international community, yet there are armed group opposing the administration. Large number of Galmudug residents still wish to see the prolonged conflict to resolved by external mediators whether Somali and foreign hands.
So, having the thought that crisis will be iron out by people from outside, Galmudug seems to be not matured for ending the problem.
Former President of Galmudug Ahmed Duale Gella and ex-chief minister, Sheikh Mohamed Shakir who is also the leader of Ahlu-Sunna have separately claimed to have formed their own administrations based in Galkayo and Dhusameeb respectively. So the stakeholders of Galmudug should give the first priority to means end the crisis in the state.
Hopefully, it is time for Galmudug people to fight against those individuals who hinder development and blocking their future.
On his part, Galmudug State should lead efforts to create public awareness aiming at ending the conflict.
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