Somalia: The making or the breaking of Punt as a prototype for tomorrow’s Africa

May 6, 2009   ·   Comments (5)

By Warsan Cismaan
Email: warsan2001@hotmail.com

” Come, join hand in hand, brave Puntlanders all, and rouse your bold hearts at country’s call; No tyrannous acts shall suppress your just claim, or stain with dishonor Punt’s name. – In Freedom we’re born and in Freedom we’ll live. Steady, friends, steady; Not as slaves, but as Freemen- Our worthy forefathers, let’s give them a cheer. They lived to behold growing strong and revered; With transport they cried, so our wishes we gain, For our children shall gather the fruits of our pain. Then join hand in hand, brave Somalis all, By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall; In so righteous a cause let us hope to succeed, For heaven approves of each generous deed.”
Adopted from John Dickinson’s Liberty song 1768

Hearing from Dr Faroole in his 100 days in power was very much refreshing. A new history has begun, the price was indeed high and the injuries in our bodies and souls are testaments. We should appreciate the moment when our miniature hearts, of everyone in the million, became an army that defends our future. The peaceful transfer of power without a need for outside intervention or even facilitation, is a call for pride. The Land of Punt overcame and defied internal evil, greed and lust for gain. We have taken the challenge with renewed energy, commitment conveying the message that despite of the hardships in our way, we will always be together. This instant has crystallised the struggle of courage and heroism. Inspired by the desire for change, we were able to see that our revolt against poverty, and desire to overcome the intense economical, social chaos, and defeat the fragmentation of organised forces for social change, requires unity.

Before I go into the challenges that are facing us, I would like us to appreciate together what we have. I would call for every Puntlander to take a minute to stare at the infinity, and envisage the Land of Punt, the beaches, the deserts, the mountains, the sea, and imagine how much can be done. Remember that this land is not only one of the most strategic points in Somalia, Africa but also in the world. The maritime wealth only can feed us for centuries to come.

Dr Faroole’s report re instates his commitment to the people and accountability to us. There are old challenges and new once that, if not addressed, promises to roll back the advances of the recent past.

The latest security alerts around Punt based on external threat or intra clan conflicts sent shock waves to our bodies wherever we are. The cold blooded killings of our lead figures remind us that we are in the beginning of the road. The recent demonstration in Boosaaso also brings shame on us. The violence that have erupted because somehow a “wadaad – cleric” is seen as beyond reach and beyond the state is incomprehensible. Demonstrating to show dissent is something, but anarchy and the destruction of lives and property is another.

So far, the new administration has carried out remarkable reforms and showed leadership in every aspect of our lives. However we have inherited a culture of mistrust from our recent past. There is no doubt that a radical reconstruction of society is needed if poverty and injustices are to be overcome. Two issues arise from this, one is changing our realities and another is changing the wounded perceptions between the government and the governed. We will need for example to create a citizen who is in a social contract with his/her government; that is aware of his/ her rights and responsibilities; that strives for the betterment of his/her community through economic participation, volunteering and other efforts that improve life for all. Expecting citizens to meet these demands by themselves is not reasonable. Requirements of citizenship should come hand in hand with permission to participate in the political life. Building a multi party system and democratisations are key to progress. We must all learn that believes are a matter of probabilities, we all hold diverse believes and varying interests, these do not mean that we are traitors. However pursuit of beliefs and interests should never jeopardise the national security. The transition to citizenship will require eradication of the divisiveness of clan politics. Puntlanders should never be identified with their respective clans, we should all be Puntlanderds. Indeed, the creation of the Land of Punt is about a shared history that made us want to come together from the first place. We can defeat mistrust by actively promoting community cohesion. And the duty to do so should lie on our shoulders as citizens and that of the government alike.

The role of the youth and “Issimada” in over seeing the successful recent elections cannot be forgotten and their involvement in realising our political aspirations should be encouraged. “Issimada” must be utilised fully in our transitional period, giving them a lead role in for instance, disarmament. Through consultations with their communities, they can bridge the broken trust between government and communities and also between communities. I hope also that the young men who were part of the political process can, with the selflessness they have shown in the past, go back to be with their people in these difficult times. Their energy and fresh perspectives is very much needed, to act as role models for the young and to give them a sense of purpose.

In terms of security, the government took many steps forward. However, the reforms to the security apparatus must continue. Reforming the PIS is important to boost public confidence. Insurances that everyone is accountable to the law of the land must be given. It is important to remember that law and order puzzles even the most advanced nations hence there is no crime free society. The aim should be bringing them down to minimal level. People and government should work together to protect the common goal. Citizens must become the ears and the eyes of their country. The responsibility to defend it against all ill is the duty of every citizen.

There are forces that are prolonging our problems. Whoever they maybe, we must learn that our new path can form a threat to many, to the criminals in the dark as much as tyrants in far places, however our will would prevail through unity and through accepting our realities. Acceptance will enable us to think clearly, and help us to implement change in away that allow us to grow as people, government and as a nation. We must accept also that the world has changed and with it our needs changed. The world is a global village with continuum of ideas. We must find a way of embracing this change and adopt a middle universal politics that could bring the east and the west, north and the south together instead of the endless historical confrontations, our strategic position should allow us to play that role. Yes it maybe true that civilisations have begun south upwards, but the North has managed to take it further to a level that has never been known or seen previously. Extremists and separatists of any kind or form who want to inflict isolation and take us back to stone ages must be challenged and rejected.

According to Waldo in his commemoration of Punt’s 10th Anniversary, the foundations of Punt are built on democracy, ensuring the security and the unity of its people, and for Punt to play a role in national peace and institution building. These objectives should not be sequential; they should all go hand by hand. The people of the Land of Punt must realise that great nations were not found on the basis of individual or a group interest, but on the collective will of the their people and groups. Thus it is up to us to make tomorrow ours. The duty to overthrow evil once and for all is ours too. I believe as “Al Nahas” – the head of the Wafd Party in Egypt in the beginning of the century – has once told his followers, we must put an end to the politics of personal interest, politics of convenience, and above all the smothering politics of silence.

Europe was able to change an ice to a heaven; we must be able to change a dessert to paradise. Let us hold hands, young, old, men and women, every clan and every citizen. Let us work, walk, dream together; the guiding principal must be a threat to one is a threat to all. It is only then that Punt can safely cross over to the side of the winners. Punt administration must realise that we are them and they are us, we are all in this boat together. So let us together move forward and generously give to the Land.