By Rasheed Hashi
In recent weeks, many Somalis have raised an important question: after nearly 60 years of independence, why need a “white” man – a muzungu or saan-cadde as they say – to play the baby? – Serve and lead the central bank, a sovereign Somali entity?
If the information is correct, a Briton should be appointed head of the country’s Central Bank. This creates a dangerous precedent. Why not let Europeans lead our ministries, our armed forces or even why not have a European head of state?
Somalis would not have the level
The insulting justification for such an approach is that it was impossible to find a qualified governor of Somali origin, which is not true. In fact, 146 people applied for the job, almost all of whom are Somali and Somali.
Among them were high caliber figures: former ministers, former officials of the Central Bank of Somalia and Somali experts from international financial institutions. The initial selection process was delegated to a British woman, Fiona Davies (World Bank delegate and member of the Financial Governance Committee) and her associate. After a few months, Fiona and her acolytes reduced the list to 16, including 11 Somali and other non-Somali candidates.
At the time, no one had paid much attention to the inclusion of foreigners, as Somalia’s Central Bank Law (Article 12) explicitly prohibited non-Somalis from holding the post. Interviews were held in mid-December and the committee further reduced the list to six or seven people.
On December 29, 2018, at a Cabinet meeting, Minister Beyle tabled an amendment to the Somalia Central Bank Act, including Article 12 which would open the post to a non-Somali. Most members of the government disapproved of the amendment, but the Prime Minister intervened and stressed the need to win the trust of the donor community and attract foreign investment. The leaders then decided to act quickly and have the amendment passed by Parliament.
A “white” at all costs!
Here we have an unprecedented case flouting legality and fairness. A recruitment procedure was conducted over several months. At the end, a law of the Federal Republic of Somalia is being amended to allow a result decided in advance. For a state that aspires to democracy, it is a worrying precedent. Existing laws can not be changed arbitrarily at the request of the executive. This desire expresses the determination of the government to entrust the Central Bank to a foreigner. He would prefer to amend a law involving Cabinet approval, then Parliament, and then the President, rather than appointing a Somali compatriot.
A mistaken belief is that in order to attract foreign direct investment or to gain the “trust” of donors, someone like them should be installed. While many foreigners do not trust Somalis to manage their own affairs, why does the government itself not trust Somalis to manage Somalia? Yet calls for national unity (Soomalinimo) were welcomed and led to regulations that make all official government communications in the Somali language mandatory. We were impressed by the recent statement by Somalia’s ambassador to the United Nations that Somalis are running Somali affairs. After these beautiful speeches, how to privilege a “white” man?
An incomprehensible choice
What can a British man do in Somalia that a Somali does not know how to do? According to rumors, the government desperately wants to appoint Nigel Roberts as governor (it is interesting to note that Nigel Roberts is a personal acquaintance of Fiona Davies). Let’s look at Mr. Roberts’ references. Does he have world-class experience in banking or international finance, like many Somali candidates? No, Mr. Roberts does not have this experience and is in fact an expert in conflict and security. He holds a Master’s degree in English Literature and another Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics. Apart from nationality, is it legitimate for the Somali people to question the qualification of this man for the job? Moreover, will he comply with the instruction of the Prime Minister who requires the use of the only Somali language in official letters and meetings? If rumors of corridors are true, it would be an unprecedented event for an independent sovereign country. Nations usually reserve posts as important and sensitive to their qualified compatriots. Many talents are available.
Every day, Somalis are making their mark in the world. They triumph in hostile foreign countries, as is the case of Ilhan Omar, US Congressman, and Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in Canada, and Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, President of the International Court of Justice (UN tribunal). Somalis are able to reach the summit from scratch. So why can not they have the same luck in their native Somalia?
This strange case raises many serious questions and concerns. While the government is struggling to change the law by Parliament and appoint his providential man, R. Nigel, legislators, representatives of the people, must put an end to this charade. Respect our laws, our institutions and, above all, respect the Somalis.
Rasheed Hashi, Analyst for African Executive
