Somalia's new cabinet poses after it was unveiled by the Prime Minister in Mogadishu, Aug. 2, 2022.
Somalia, a nation scarred by decades of instability, is on a long and challenging journey towards recovery. The enduring turmoil has not only resulted to the collapse of public institutions but has also led to the departure of capable and skilled government officials.
As the country painstakingly reconstructs itself after enduring years of state collapse, one of the most pressing challenges it faces today is the desperate need for competent and dedicated individuals within its public sector.
Upon closer examination of Somalia’s public and private sectors, a stark contrast emerges: the private sector is flourishing, while the public sector is plagued by issues of incompetence and corruption.
Unqualified graduates
The root of this disparity can be traced back to the education sector, where some educational institutions have turned into diploma mills, producing graduates who lack the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the competitive private sector.
These institutions prioritize profit over quality education, churning out subpar graduates ill-equipped for the demands of the job market. Unsurprisingly, these graduates struggle to find employment in the private sector, where competence is the currency of success.
Faced with limited opportunities in the private sector, many of these individuals set their sights on the public sector, where dream jobs can be secured through clan affiliations and sycophancy rather than through competence and qualifications.
Clan card
The use of clan cards plays a significant role in securing public sector positions. Individuals who have failed to secure private sector employment often turn to their clan elders and Members of Parliament (MPs), relentlessly seeking their assistance in job procurement.
They disregard their own qualifications and apply for positions, irrespective of their relevance to their education and skills.
In case they fail to secure a job, they are quick to blame it on clan-based discrimination or the alleged lack of political clout of their MP. In many cases, their persistence pays off, leading to job placements for which they may be unqualified.
Sycophancy
Sycophancy has become another gateway for incompetence to infiltrate the public sector. Inept individuals can easily ascend the ranks by lavishing praise upon existing politicians or the government, regardless of their actual competence. This flattery often leads to the employment of undeserving individuals to critical public sector positions.
Meanwhile, skilled and competent individuals often struggle to secure positions in the public sector due to the absence of a reliable recruitment process.
The public sector appears to cater to unskilled and incompetent individuals, emphasizing personal connections over qualifications and competence. In this environment, it’s not about what you know, but rather who you know, which raises serious concerns about the effectiveness and integrity of the public sector.
Normalizing incompetency
The consequences of such recruitment methods are dire, rendering the public sector synonymous with incompetence and corruption. Once in these positions, there is minimal effort to develop the skills of these employees, resulting in a wasteful expenditure of government resources.
Many individuals occupying these roles spend their time engaging in clan politics instead of diligently serving the public. Consequently, their impact on the nation remains limited.
Even those who manage to acquire skills and demonstrate competence often find themselves displaced when the political landscape changes.
Newly appointed politicians frequently bring their own associates into office, leaving the qualified professionals sidelined. These skilled individuals often seek opportunities in the private sector or international organizations, depriving the public sector of their valuable contributions. Top of FormBottom of Form
Lack of accountability
The lack of clear job descriptions and accountability mechanisms further hampers the public sector’s effectiveness. Employees often find themselves without a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities, making it difficult to gauge performance and efficiency.
Senior managers struggle to hold their subordinates accountable, as the absence of precise job descriptions and work plans leaves room for ambiguity.
Furthermore, since many employees secured their positions through personal connections, whether clan affiliations or sycophantic relationships, they often do not feel accountable to their superiors, believing their job security to be unassailable.
The Somali government is in urgent need of reforming its public sector recruitment process by implementing transparency, robust skill development initiatives, effective mechanisms for retaining qualified individuals, and establishing clear job descriptions and accountability measures.
The prevalent clan-based, sycophantic, nepotistic, and friendship-based recruitment practices pose a significant threat to the integrity and competence of the public services, perpetuating the underperformance of the public sector in comparison to the private sector.
In conclusion, Somalia stands at a critical juncture, facing the critical challenge of reforming its public sector. To realize its full potential and provide essential services to its citizens, the nation must address the systemic issues that have plagued its public service for far too long. By prioritizing competence, transparency, and accountability, Somalia can chart a path toward a brighter and more prosperous future.
* Omar Abdi Jimale is a Ph.D. student in Political Science and Public Administration student at Necmettin Erbakan University. He is also a commentator on Somalia’s political and security issues.
