In Somalia, the relationship between citizens and leaders has too often been defined by emotion rather than accountability. Presidents, ministers, and regional leaders are treated as heroic figures to be loved or feared instead of public servants who owe results. This emotional attachment has turned governance into a contest of loyalty rather than a system of responsibility.
When Institutions Lose Their Identity
At both federal and state levels, Somalia’s institutions are often overshadowed by the individuals who lead them. Ministries, parliaments, and agencies are identified by personalities, not by performance. Roads, hospitals, and schools are described as the achievements of specific leaders, as though funded from their pockets rather than public resources.
A responsible citizen does not love or hate institutions; they respect them, expect efficiency, and hold them to account. When officials fulfill their duties, they are simply doing their job. When they fail, they must be questioned — not applauded.
The Illusion of Gratitude
In Somalia, gratitude is often misplaced. Citizens thank officials for opening hospitals or launching roads that are funded by taxpayers and donors. This illusion of generosity blurs the boundary between service and favor, turning public duty into personal charity. Applauding a leader for performing official work is like thanking an ATM for dispensing your own money. Such behavior weakens civic awareness and strengthens corruption.
The Cost of Personal Politics
Somalia’s political instability is not only about security or resources; it is also about the dominance of personalities over systems. Loyalty shifts with individuals, not institutions. Policies change with relationships, not laws. The result is a fragile system where every new administration starts over, dismantling what came before instead of building continuity.
This personalism fuels mistrust between the federal government and the member states, between ministries and agencies, and even within political parties. It discourages criticism and weakens reform. A nation that depends on the will of individuals rather than the strength of laws will always struggle to find stability.
Building a Republic of Laws
Somalia’s future lies in strengthening institutions that outlive their leaders. Real reform requires a judiciary that protects citizens regardless of who governs, ministries that serve impartially, and a media that questions power instead of flattering it. The press must act as the fourth estate, not the fourth wife — independent, critical, and free.
True patriotism is not measured by love for rulers but by respect for the law. Somalia will only progress when citizens replace emotional loyalty with civic responsibility, when leaders understand that their power is temporary, and when institutions — not idols — define the nation’s destiny.
Ali Halane is a Somali journalist, researcher specializing in African and Middle Eastern affairs, and co-founder of the Somali Cultural Parliament.
The opinion expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Dawan Africa
