MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – In the aftermath of a devastating civil war, Somalia is undergoing a remarkable transformation. From the ashes of destruction, ordinary citizens are taking charge of rebuilding their nation—brick by brick, dream by dream. Across cities and rural areas alike, the spirit of recovery is alive. The people, not the state, are leading this rebirth. They have fought to reclaim their dignity, and with it, are constructing a future rooted in resilience, hope, and ambition.
For decades, Somalis have endured immense hardship: conflict, displacement, insecurity, and poverty. In those darkest times, the people longed for leadership—someone to help them lay the foundations of peace, justice, and progress. While the scars of the past remain, a new face of Somalia is emerging. The skyline of Mogadishu now features gleaming buildings, bustling restaurants, vibrant shopping centers, modern cafés, art galleries, and cultural retreats. Families are vacationing at breezy coastal resorts, once unimaginable luxuries in a war-torn nation.
These developments are more than economic signs of growth—they are symbolic. They represent Somalia’s deep desire to move beyond fear and desperation, toward calm, safety, dignity, and social cohesion. Exiled communities are returning, relationships torn apart by conflict are being restored, and the social fabric—once shredded by war—is being carefully stitched back together.
The rise in interest in beauty, art, and literature is not superficial. It reflects a deeper, cultural reawakening—a rediscovery of national identity and the joy of life after decades of anxiety, trauma, and despair. But even as the people build toward a better future, the absence of responsible governance threatens to undo all that progress.
There is a clear and urgent truth: the people have done their part. Now, the government must do its job. It is time for state institutions to rise to the occasion—implement fair laws, build critical infrastructure, support national development projects, and offer essential public services. Currently, nearly all services—from health to education to water supply—are provided by private entities. This is unsustainable.
While citizens struggle to rebuild their country, those in political leadership appear increasingly out of touch, entangled in greed, corruption, and power struggles. The very diseases that once destroyed Somalia’s past—favoritism, tribalism, exploitation, and political arrogance—are resurfacing within the structures of the current government. In particular, the administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has come under scrutiny for practices such as land grabbing, public asset auctions, and authoritarian governance. Such actions erode public trust, undermine national unity, and risk returning the country to the instability of the past.
The stakes are high. Whether Somalia continues on a path of recovery or backslides into civil strife depends on the political culture of its leaders—and on the courage of civil society to hold them accountable. We must ask: Do we have politicians who stand on principle? Businessmen who are vigilant and ethical? Journalists who dare to speak the truth? Writers and scholars who refuse to stay silent in the face of injustice? Civil society organizations that fight for the rights of the voiceless?
If these voices stand united, the worst can still be avoided. But if we remain silent in the face of oppression and wrongdoing, we will all suffer the consequences. As the Holy Qur’an teaches us, oppression is not limited to those who commit it—it is a calamity that ultimately affects the entire society. If we do not stop it, it will consume us all.
It is clear that the government’s failure to fulfill its role is driving away the very people who have invested so much in the country. Businesses are relocating. Capital is flowing out. Talented citizens are fleeing to neighboring nations, disillusioned by the lack of protection, justice, and opportunity. This hemorrhaging of hope is deeply visible in Somalia’s current socio-political landscape.
Yet despite these setbacks, the Somali people remain hopeful. They do not deserve a government that robs them of their future. They deserve a leadership that reflects their dreams, serves their needs, and protects the fruits of their labor. They deserve a state that uplifts—not exploits—them.
We are in a race against time. One segment of society alone cannot hold back the political elite who seek to monopolize power and wealth. Collective awareness and action are critical before more damage is done—before the nation slides back into disunity and conflict.
The message is simple but profound: For Somalia’s revival to be truly sustainable, the extraordinary individual efforts in economic and social recovery must be matched by equally strong efforts in governance reform. The Somali people have already proven their strength, perseverance, and ability to build from nothing. They deserve a government that protects that development—not one that squanders or destroys it.
Let us not lose what we have fought so hard to build. Let us not allow history to repeat itself. Let us demand accountability, transparency, and justice—for without them, no nation can stand.