Navigating a Way Forward: A Roadmap for Reinvigorating Somali Civil Society
By. Ibrahim Sultan
First
Published on Sept 12, 2023
The question for
Somalia is whether the civil society can be revived without the upheaval of a
revolution.
It’s a somber truth
to confront: Somali civil society has veered off course, abandoning its
foundational mission to enlighten and amplify the voices of its people. Now,
instead of being a bulwark against corruption and tribalism, it finds itself as
an accomplice—exploiting Somalia’s instability to pad its own bottom line
through international aid.
This complicity is highlighted in a
report by Vera
Devine, an anti-corruption consultant, which paints a damning picture of
multiple partners draining vital aid dollars from the Somalia Humanitarian
Fund, thereby eroding the faith of crucial donors.
“In 2012, fraud and
corruption was detected among multiple implementing partners, both national and
international, of the Somalia Humanitarian Fund,” which resulted in a loss of
money and shook donors’ confidence, leading some to withdraw from the Fund. The
Fund’s financial envelope shrank significantly between 2012 and 2016…This can
be attributed in large part to the discovery of corruption, although it also
reflected a decrease in humanitarian needs in Somalia during those years,” the
report notes.
While acknowledging
the complex factors that have led to
this point—from the absence of an effective governance structure to the initial
stumbling blocks of relief work—it’s imperative to recognize that the door for
course correction hasn’t merely opened; it’s been ajar for some time. At its
core, civil society ought to serve as the intermediary between the governed and
the governing, fostering civic participation, democracy, and welfare programs.
The question then
emerges: How can Somali civil society be revived without the upheaval of a
revolution? The answer lies in a balanced yet pragmatic ten-step approach.
The first step
calls for a reclamation of foundational principles. Civil society must prioritize
civic awareness, vigorously defend human rights, and contextualize these
universal ideals within the unique fabric of Somali society. Secondly, a
rethinking of volunteerism is overdue. In a world where resources are limited,
waiting is a luxury we can’t afford. Change isn’t engineered by mere employees
but propelled by individuals fired up with enthusiasm.
Steps three through
five deal with internal mechanics. Strengthening internal governance through
financial transparency, integrity, and accountability is non-negotiable. These
are critical for garnering both popular trust and external support, especially
in an increasingly informed society. Moreover, the specter of elitism needs to
be dismantled. Conducting business in upscale cafes, isolated from the everyday
lives of the people, counters the essence of civil society. Lastly, these
organizations need to adopt an empirical approach, underlining the importance
of rational planning, skillful execution, and rigorous evaluation for the
effectiveness of projects.
Turning our gaze
outward, steps six and seven emphasize the urgency of addressing pressing
humanitarian issues. The harrowing statistic—nearly 8.3 million
Somalis facing severe food insecurity between April and June—demands an immediate
focus on drought mitigation efforts. Simultaneously, there’s an imperative to strengthen the
public health infrastructure. Somalia’s pre-pandemic healthcare system was
already precarious, and civil organizations have a moral obligation to
contribute towards its betterment.
The final three
steps target the building blocks of a resilient society. Literacy and general
education cannot be sidelined if development is the end goal; after all, an
uninformed society is a society that stagnates. Additionally, with unemployment
rates soaring—nearly 70% among
young Somalis according to the Heritage Institute—it’s crucial that civil
organizations engage in skill-building initiatives.
Finally, the power
of new media offers an unparalleled opportunity for civil society to articulate
the concerns and aspirations of ordinary Somalis.
To rephrase an often-cited adage, this roadmap is less a set of suggestions and more a mandate for action. It is a strategic reorientation designed to help Somali civil society navigate the troubled waters it finds itself in, toward a stable and meaningful future.
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