In last three years, Somaliland’s annual budget rose by more than
350%
“The government of Somaliland has made tremendous
progress and the international comm unity is ready to help these
achievements through support to the country’s National Vision and
the National Development Plan” Mr. Erik Solheim, Chair of the OECD
Development Assista nce Committee (DAC), during his recent visit to
Somaliland
The Somaliland cabinet approved $212 million budget for 2014 which
is about 705 increase fr om last year’s $125 million without
international recognition and support. This is more than b udgets of
many African countries including Somalia. In 2010, Somaliland budget
was $47 milli on only.
Somaliland does not get international investment due to its
unrecognized diplomatic status, in addition, Somaliland does not
have access to the World Bank and IMF. Somaliland develops
infrastructure without outside support or aid, which is good example
to Africa. International Labor Organization (ILO) don’t support
Somaliland in fighting unemployment. This diplomatic embargo is
teaching Somaliland how to survive on its own income. It is the only
country that has no loan.
Former Minister of Finance Mr. Mohamed Hashi Elmi had major role in
reshaping Somaliland bu dget and tax collection system, where he
lifted the budget from $47 million to $150 million in one year. Elmi’s successor has followed the roadmap, which further lifted the
budget to a milestone of $212 million in less than three years.
In 26th June 1960, British ended their rule in Somaliland and new
nation was born that had elected Prime Minister and four cabinet
ministers. Thirty four countries recognized Somalila nd, world media
wrote about Somaliland and even Mr. Malcolm X, an African-American
Muslim minister and human rights activist, underscored the
importance of Somaliland’s independence in one of his famous
lectures.
However, the people of Somaliland enthusiastically united with
former Italian Somalia and formed new nation called “Somali
Republic” at 1st July 1960. This was an attempt to unite all
Somali-speaking ethnic group in the horn of Africa under the
irrational slogan of ‘SomaliWay n’. After one year from the unity,
Somalilanders organized military coup to withdraw from the unity but
the coup failed. Former officers of Somaliland Scouts led the coup.
In 18th May 1991 and after many years of dictatorship and melancholy
including 12 years of armed freedom struggle, Somaliland declared
unilateral independence from the rest of Soma lia.
The current government led by H.E. President Ahmed Siilaanyo has
accelerated tax collecti ons which contributed in the budget
increase. The government availed tax collection offices at every
corner in the country including public places and roadsides. During
my recent visit to Somaliland, I discovered that someone can pay tax
while in traffic jam, which is unique style to increase revenue.
At Egal Airport, an international airport located at Hargiesa, the
tax collection was on high-speed and even passenger can pay other
bills before departing the country. Although, the collection is
manual process but is very efficient and up to the target. The
custom officers at the airport are disciplined and aware of their
duties, in addition to excellent customer service skills. The
passenger can pay the tax using different currencies like USD and
Kuwaiti Dinars with help from the exchange companies like Dahabshiil.
The 2014 Budget includes $4 million for road maintenance and
constructions. The education sector is another major beneficiary of
the current budget. Somaliland has plans of drilling oil by 2014.
The salaries of the employees will be increased as promised by the
government during parliamentary debate.
Somaliland decorated its national security departments including
army forces, police and jails authority with ranks. Every officer
will get paid according per his/her security rank. The Arm ed Forces
has loin’s share in the budget due to volatility in the region.
Somaliland neighbors Somalia where Al-shabab terrorist organization
are battling the African forces.
Somaliland, heavily, invests in its security after three suicide
bombers targeted UNDP Office in Hargiesa, Presidential Palace and
the Ethiopian Embassy in Hargiesa.
The current Kulmiye led government lifted the fees on public
schools. Today, every child can attend 12 years of schooling for
free. This is very unique quality in Africa, and Somaliland
illi teracy rate will fall to zero in the coming five years. 90% of
the Somaliland children has acc ess to school including villagers.
The health sector in Somaliland is boosted by the private hospitals
that provides avoidable services to the citizen, alongside
free-of-cost public hospitals. In my recent visit to Hargiesa, I
discovered large number of patients are coming from Somalia,
Ethiopia and even from Djibo uti to receive the avoidable medical
services in Somaliland.
ADNA Maternity Hospital produces thousands of well-trained midwives
and nurses. This redu ced the childbirth deaths to its minimal, as
you can find skilled midwifes and nurses at every village across
Somaliland.
In other hand, Somaliland universities produces skilled medical
staff including doctors, lab tec hnicians, etc… I visited one of the
hospital in Hargiesa and discovered that all staff from cle aners to
the managers including doctors, nurses and therapists are graduates
of Somaliland medical schools.
Ten years ago and during my last visit, The UN staff were handling
the public hospitals due to lack of trained medical staff. This
illustrates that Somaliland achieved self-sufficiency in the medical
services. The government adds 92 million Somaliland Shilling in the
annual budget for every public university in the country. This is to
encourage the education development.
Conclusion:
International community is paying a lot of money to stabilize
Mogadishu, the capital of Soma lia. Thousands of African Union Forces
are fighting Al-Shabab in Mogadishu. This military pre sence costs
the world huge sum of money. The world sponsored many peace
conference for Somalians to settle down their differences, but all
ended up without positive outcome.
In order to achieve lasting peace in Somalia, the world must adopt
the plan of Somaliland to wards Somalia. The independence of
Somaliland must be accepted, in order to let Somaliland stabilize
the former sister. Somaliland has experience of stabilizing Somalia,
because Somalil and Scouts imposed curfew on Mogadishu in 1960 and
eliminated the robberies and armed bandits off Mogadishu streets.
By\ Abdulaziz Al-Mutairi
Email:
az.almutairi@yahoo.com
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