Tuesday June 24, 2025
By: Mohamed A. Carey
As Somaliland navigates the complexities of state-building and democratic consolidation, the experience of other Global South nations can offer timely and instructive insights. One such instructive case is Bangladesh, which has periodically employed interim governance frameworks to steward national transitions. In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus offered a compelling reflection on political reform, emphasizing the imperative of structural transformation over superficial elite replacement. His commentary underscores a broader lesson that Somaliland must internalize: real development is rooted in institutional reform, public trust, and grassroots empowerment—not in the recycling of political elites.
Structural Transformation: Beyond Political Rotation
Professor Yunus cautions against mistaking elite reshuffling for genuine political reform. Leadership transitions that fail to address the deeper systemic deficits often exacerbate public cynicism and institutional decay. In the case of Somaliland, while competitive elections and a relatively peaceful political culture are commendable, they risk stagnation without corresponding investment in robust public institutions, rule of law, and equitable governance mechanisms.
Reform must be conceptualized as a structural undertaking—recalibrating the machinery of governance to become more responsive, inclusive, and transparent. In this regard, Somaliland’s continued reliance on hybrid legal systems (combining Islamic, customary, and colonial legal traditions) needs systematic harmonization to foster judicial independence, legal clarity, and constitutional coherence.
The Role of an Interim Technocratic Administration
Yunus articulates the value of a neutral, technocratic interim government as a mechanism for restoring public confidence and preparing for credible elections. Somaliland, which is entering a critical electoral cycle, would benefit from an impartial caretaker body tasked solely with electoral oversight, civic dialogue facilitation, and ensuring equitable access to political participation.
Such a body should be insulated from partisan influence and rooted in meritocratic selection, comprising civil society leaders, academics, and seasoned administrators. Its mandate must be limited, clear, and time-bound—focused on enabling a democratic reset and fostering national consensus.
Prioritizing Human Capital and Economic Empowerment
Bangladesh’s experience under Professor Yunus is also defined by a bold commitment to economic inclusion. His microfinance revolution through the Grameen Bank illustrates the transformative potential of grassroots financial empowerment. Somaliland, with its predominantly informal economy and high rates of youth unemployment, stands to gain immensely from replicating such models.
A reformed governance agenda must foreground investment in vocational education, microenterprise financing, and inclusive labor market policies. Particular attention should be given to marginalized populations—including internally displaced persons (IDPs), pastoral communities, and women—whose participation in economic development is often curtailed.
Infrastructure, Service Delivery, and State Legitimacy
Somaliland’s legitimacy as a de facto state is intricately tied to its ability to deliver essential services. While notable progress has been made in peacebuilding and primary education, significant deficits remain in water access, healthcare, rural connectivity, and energy infrastructure. A credible interim authority could coordinate targeted public investments, with emphasis on transparency and community participation.
Additionally, digitization and e-governance offer avenues for enhancing state capacity and reducing corruption. The Ministry of Telecommunication and Technology, if adequately resourced, could spearhead the creation of a modern public administration system capable of efficient service delivery.
Diplomatic Strategy: Reform as Leverage
Finally, Yunus highlights how Bangladesh’s reformist trajectory enhanced its international reputation. Somaliland, which continues to seek formal recognition, can leverage democratic deepening and institutional reform as soft power instruments. Demonstrating commitment to inclusive governance, gender equity, and accountable institutions would bolster Somaliland’s normative legitimacy in regional and international arenas.
Conclusion: A Call for Strategic Reform
Somaliland must resist the temptation of political cosmeticism—changing leadership without transforming institutions. The path ahead requires a recalibrated developmental state that prioritizes structural reform, socioeconomic justice, and the empowerment of its citizenry.
As Professor Yunus aptly remarked, "Real change doesn’t happen when the chairs move. It happens when the ground underneath them is rebuilt." For Somaliland, the ground is ready. What remains is the will to rebuild it—decisively, inclusively, and systemically.
Mohamed A. Carey is a human resources and public policy consultant based in Hargeisa. He specializes in governance, institutional reform, and social justice in the Horn of Africa region. He can be reached at [email protected]