The Not-So-Good Ship Globalisation

It seems that there is a hole—somewhere in the hull of the not-so-good ship Globalisation—and we are all being threatened by a deluge, in the form of the toxic assets currently inundating the global economy. It seems to me that both the great and small economies of the world need to correct themselves, at this moment in time, by returning to economic practices that actually work. Surely, at this point in time, and eighteen months into the global financial crisis, most people have become aware of the fact that the so-called banking ''bail-outs'' do not actually work. Why else do the relevant authorities keep returning to this flawed policy?

No less than 14 financial institutions have failed, in the United States, during 2009 already, and it is probable that we shall hear of many more failures during the months to come. For some strange reason, the policy makers responsible for regulating the great economies of the world refuse to take the measures necessary for remedying the financial mess that we currently find ourselves in. Instead of allowing the so-called ''bad financial institutions'' to fail outright, the policy makers have unanimously decided to prolong this agony by lending financial assistance to severely compromised financial institutions.

Such policies, almost certainly, do not solve the basic problems that we currently face. Without doubt, the so-called toxic assets held by these financial institutions can never be adequately rehabilitated. It is simply illogical to think otherwise. Therefore, the only viable solution, to the enormous problems at hand, is to write off these crippling losses and to rebuild the global financial system on a sounder platform. For too many years, both individuals and corporations have been living beyond their means. The lifestyle, of the average Western individual has been subsidised by access to cheap credit, and the illusion of cheap goods and services.

Most of us are now being confronted by the fact that the world of finance shall never return to the illusory boom of the past 15 years. We are currently facing the kind of economic upheaval that shaped the world during the early part of the 20th century. Ironically, there is a degree of economic protectionism, by stealth, creeping into the Western corridors of power. This—in my opinion—shall lead to the reversal of the process of Globalisation if this economic protectionism is not curbed. Local subsidies shall, in my opinion, lead to the devastation of the Globalised economy as we have come to know it. We have already seen the picket lines being drawn, in Northern Europe, for the protection of the economic rights of native workers and in response to apparently cheaper imported foreign workers.

This behaviour, if repeated by all the nations of the world, clearly heralds the demise of the concept of free trade. Economic barriers are currently going up all over the world, and whether we like it or not. It is clear to me that any form of government ''bail-out'', for any branch of any particular domestic industry, is a clear form of economic protectionism. Such a ''bail-out'' will, quite inevitably, lead to retaliatory actions by the governments of rival transnational industries. This is a rather dangerous economic arms race, and it is best avoided. The potential consequences of such actions are very bad indeed. History teaches to avoid 'beggar-thy-neighbour' protectionist policies if we wish to avoid the spectre of armed conflict between neighbouring states.

In conclusion, it seems to me that the best option, for all concerned, is to rediscover the concept of economic emancipation. For the smaller economies, in particular, it is important to find a comfortable niche. By this I mean that it is foolish for a small economy to become overly dependent upon the economic fortunes of the so-called greater economies. In many ways, economic dependence is the death of a nation. The idea of economic emancipation is worth striving for, and at this moment in time, when the frailties of economic neo-liberalism are there for all to see, the concept of Globalisation—if it is to survive—must embrace the idea of economic emancipation for all in this world.

Somalia And The Corrupt 4.5 Formula

It is certainly the case that the Somali people urgently need an authority that adequately protects, and serves, the legitimate national interests of the Somali people. With this in mind, one must therefore reflect upon, what can best be described as, the acceptable nature of such an authority, should it become a reality. The TFG of Somalia surely aspires to be such an entity, however, it must first demonstrate that it is a legitimate aspirant. The TFG of Somalia must overcome all that is undoubtedly rotten within its political make-up; for it is well documented that the TFG of Somalia has been, in the past, an agent of foreign military occupation inside the Somali national territory.

Perhaps, at this moment in time, the newly constituted TFG of Somalia may choose to some honourable characteristics for the benefit of the people of Somalia. Perhaps, at this moment in time, the TFG of Somalia may learn to cast aside all that is base, including the ridiculous 4.5 formula of the TFG charter. The history of the TFG of Somalia is certainly shameful, and its nature is wholly dubious. However, it is still possible for this curious beast to reform its ways. It is possible for the TFG of Somalia to reverse the policies of the past, and to overcome all of the corrupt practices that had made it so weak in the past. The people of this political construct must look into this possibility urgently.

At this moment in time, Somalia is effectively stateless. The purpose of any state is to provide material benefits to the people living under its authority. The state, in order to exist as an independent entity, amongst other things, must possess the ability to enforce its right to security. Any entity that calls itself a government must demonstrate this ability before it can be considered as a legitimate entity. The monstrous TFG of Somalia cannot demonstrate, in any way, that it is the legitimate government of Somalia. Furthermore, the so-called Transitional Federal Charter is an abomination that is wholly inspired by non-Somali actors. The TFG of Somalia, as a concept, represents an affront to Somali culture, and it must never be respected by the people of Somalia.

The TFG of Somalia is a tool, manipulated by the shadowy enemies of the Somali people, for the social fragmentation of the Somali nation along clan lines. The diabolical Transitional Federal Charter states that all Somali political offices must be divided in accordance with the vile 4.5 formula. It is truly astonishing that grown men can seriously entertain the idea of executing state business on such a basis. The disgraceful 4.5 formula is nothing less than an assault upon the dignity of the Somali nation. This dishonourable concept only exists to serve the base interest of the many loathsome clan chauvinists of Somalia, and the Somali people must never succumb to such divisive schemes.

It is clear to me that the clan lineage of any Somali politician is simply irrelevant when one is asked to evaluate the political competence of the individual in question. The clan lineage of a particular Somali politician is about as important as that individual's height or weight with respect to the ability to perform a specific political duty. How has it come to pass that certain people, who claim to be serving the best interests of the Somali nation, can entertain the dreadful idea sharing political power in accordance with the 4.5 formula? The 4.5 formula—if adopted by the people of Somalia—shall surely lead to the dismemberment of the Somali nation.

The Somali nation, like any other nation, cannot afford to prostitute the nature of its national politics by indulging in the promotion of shameful pursuits like political fragmentation along clan lines. The folly of blindly following the wicked men who promote divisive agendas—such as the futile attempt to give legitimacy to the flawed TFG of Somalia by way of foreign military assistance—must be resisted by all Somali people. The TFG of Somalia represents, quite simply, a stain upon the honour of the Somali nation. Over 20,000 helpless Somali civilians have been killed as a result of the illegitimate claims of the TFG of Somalia. And, over 3 million Somali civilians have either been forcibly displaced, within the Somali national territory, or are in acute danger of starving to death as a direct result of the genocidal military aggression launched in the name of the TFG of Somalia.

We, of the honourable Somali nation, must never entertain the idea of supporting a criminal entity, such as the TFG of Somalia, in its quest for political legitimacy. How can the Somali people ever recognise the legitimacy of the TFG after a brutal Ethiopian military intervention has failed to win political legitimacy for the TFG of Somalia? The TFG of Somalia is unable enforce its declared claim to rule the people of Somalia, and everybody is aware of this fact. Therefore, this particularly dishonourable political aberration—the TFG of Somalia—must not be permitted sully the good name of the Somali nation any longer. In statecraft, there can never be such a thing as legitimacy without might, and the TFG of Somalia, at this moment in time, enjoys neither might nor political legitimacy.

The New TFG, Political Legitimacy, And Defeating Violent Extremism Inside Somalia

The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia must adapt or die. This is a statement of fact. Great change is afoot inside Somalia at the present time, and the new President, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, must demonstrate that he is capable of seizing the opportunity that has been presented to him. Somalia has been effectively stateless for eighteen
long years, and the people of this East African nation have suffered great many deprivations during this nightmarish period of time.

Whatever one may think about the strange process that somehow spawned the curious entity which
became the TFG of Somalia and, despite the fact that the TFG—at one point in time—had been something of a trojan horse that seemed to only serve the interests of the enemies of Somalia, this is certainly no longer the case. The Ethiopian armed forces have been withdrawn from the Somali national territory, and the Transitional Federal Parliament of Somalia has been expanded to accommodate members of the Islamic opposition.

These developments are clear evidence of the fact that the political situation, inside Somalia today is changing very rapidly. It is foolish to suggest that the Djibouti agreement, brokered by the United Nations, had no part to play in any of this. Clearly, President Sheikh Sharif represents a clean break with the policies of the recent past and, in light of the appalling abuses of his immediate predecessor, it can be argued that the new Somali President has achieved a great deal already.

There is certainly a long way to go before the new TFG of Somalia can claim to be a legitimate force for good. The most important task facing the new President is to build a broad-based Somali government of national unity. Only then can the new TFG of Somalia be considered as a legitimate authority by the Somali people. The new TFG of Somalia must attempt to win political legitimacy by demonstrating, without ambiguity, that it stands for all that is good within Somali culture and national heritage. Dialogue and political inclusion represent the very foundation of the ancient Xeer Soomaali—Somali Common Law—and President Sheikh Sharif must bear this fact in mind as he seeks to build a government of national unity.

There is no doubt that road ahead remains very treacherous, for the new TFG of Somalia, as it seeks to establish itself. However, the early signs seem encouraging. Only the hard hearted are able to deny the fact that the recent appointment—in Djibouti City—of the the son of the late Somali President Cabdirashid Cali Sharmake, as the new Somali Prime Minister, is an encouraging early sign. All Somalis are aware of the fact that the Somali nation is almost broken at this moment in time and, almost without exception, all Somali people wish to see an end to the cycle of violence that has brought the Somali nation to its knees. The men of violence have a lot to lose if the new TFG of Somalia successfully resolves the root causes of political conflict inside Somalia. Such men of violence can only be defeated if the new TFG of Somalia visibly demonstrates that it serves the legitimate interests of the Somali nation.

The legitimate interests of the Somali nation are served by political inclusion for all sections of the Somali community, and the promotion of universal justice in the form of Shar'ia Islam for all of the Somali people. If the new TFG of Somalia can be seen to reasonably satisfy these ends, it will be sending out a powerful signal to the men of violence and the enemies of peace inside Somalia. The new TFG of Somalia must seek to promote dialogue between rival Somali factions, and it must seek to encourage members of the armed opposition to renounce violence and to seek to further their aims through peaceful means.

The new TFG of Somalia must distinguish itself, from the TFG of the past, by respecting the sanctity of human life. The people of Somalia have suffered a great deal at the hands of narrowminded violent extremists of every persuasion during the past eighteen years. Somalia must never again become a land of government predation. An inclusive—and broad-based—government of national unity represents the only viable mechanism for defeating narrow-minded violent extremism inside Somalia. Now that the defeated Ethiopian armed forces have been withdrawn from the Somali national territory, the men of violence can no longer claim to be fighting in defence of legitimate Somali national interests. The Somali people legitimately need the full restoration of peace in Somalia, and the establishment of a fully functional central government. And, the new TFG of Somalia should be supported by all people as it seeks to secure these precious political objectives.