Since his appointment on 3rd June 2013, the British born Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia Mr Nicholas Kay has been performing like Governor General or Viceroy of Somalia. This is a clear departure from the manner of his predecessor, the Tanzanian born Augustine Mahiga, whose charming and witty character has succeeded to end long years of transition. Mr Kay adopted a completely new approach to manipulate Somalia's internal politics by arm-twisting Somali leaders and thus obstructing chances that home grown Somali solutions could emerge. Indeed, foreigners like Nick Kay flourish in the absence of visionary national leaders that can limit unwarranted foreign influence in the fragile politics of Somalia.

During his tenure in office, Mr Kay has been using two ambitious Somali politicians as technical advisors or interprets. Mr Abdurrahman Abdishakuur, the man who signed the scandalous MOU with Kenya over concessions regarding Somalia’s territorial waters in 7th April, 2009 and Mr Nuraddin Diriye, who failed in his bid to become Puntland President in 2014, were not limited to their tasks but went further in conducting excessive lobbying to push forward specific agendas that can create conflict of interest. 

A hired UN staff has no opinion in the internal politics of Somalia and should maintain neutrality in the accomplishments of his/her duties. The Somali government should take necessary steps to remind UNSOM that such harmful interferences would not be tolerated.  The UN should refrain from using failed tactics of employing Somali born staff for political meddling that infringes national sovereignty.

Somalia is an African success story since the country is coming together rather than falling apart. The last remaining entities in the state formation in the South such as Hiiraan/Lower Shebelle and the Status of Mogadishu are underway? Indeed, the road to recovery is difficult and sometimes creates conflict. However, Somalia needs not only state building but nation building and peace building. The latter requires to build peace and reconciliation within the society

Certainly, forcing to erect unsustainable model of self-governance in Somalia can re-ignite the embers of new conflict, lack of cohesion and political divisions. The so called international community is largely represented by low level diplomats based in Nairobi some of which have sinister motives use duplicity, double standard and dubious morality when dealing with Somalia.

"Throughout history, most efforts by foreign nations to intervene in Somalia have backfired" Mary Harper. In the modern history of Somalia, writers and thinkers around the world agree that there is no quick fix for the treacherous politics of Somalia. An imposed solution "haven’t worked, isn’t working and will never work in Somalia.” We must allow Somalia and its emerging institutions to resolve their own problems and shun any idea that suggests otherwise.

.Waagacusub Editorial