The people of Somalia have spoken

The people of Somalia have spoken. Through the uniquely Somali democratic process, the people have decided to begin this era with new leadership to move our country forward. All Somalis should be proud of the fact that the nation after forty two years was capable of holding elections within the national borders of Somalia.

There will be many who will be disappointed and many who will rejoice. This is an inevitable consequence of Democracy. Democracy often results in change and all those who aspire to high office must accept change by displaying leadership and respect for the will of the people.

The election is over but the needs of the people continue. Those who have held high office need to suppress personal ambitions and show statesmanship by urging support for the new Somali administration. Upon the shoulders of this new leadership rest the hopes of all Somalis for peaceful transfer of power, improved security, and continued collaboration with the international community.

Let us all recognize that over the past years, progress in many areas has been made. Let us all commit to build on those foundations as well as embracing the new solutions that will be presented.

It is the hope that the new Administration will work to heal old wounds, espouse the virtues of transparency and accountability. It will also be constructive if the new administration is open to having transitional meetings with the previous one. This will assist the new administration in getting a jump start in dealing with the difficult issues that will confront any new administration.

Let us all for the sake of national unity congratulate the new President, the new Parliament as they take the reins of Government; let us also congratulate the people of Somalia for the peaceful and orderly transfer of power.

Lastly, if I were to take this opportunity to give some advice to the new President, it would be as follows:

“You will not have a second chance to make a first impression; political honeymoons are very short. You will be well advised to appoint capable technocrats to lead the critically important ministries. Putting square pegs in round holes will surely lead to disappointment and failure. Somalia cannot afford incompetence at this juncture of our history”.

By Mohamed Abdi Mohamed
Email: mmfaracadde2@gmail.com

The opinions contained in this article are solely those of the writer, and it does not represent the editorial opinions of kacadeey online