2022: Somali Public Agenda’s Year in Review

2022 was a very productive year for Somali Public Agenda (SPA). We published 15 papers, held a record 19 forums (including 6 Gaxwo & Gorfeyn meetups), produced 22 podcast episodes, trained 30 bloggers, engaged and talked to local and international media, trained 4 interns, and started working with like-minded institutions.
A Frightening Series of Explosions That Disrupted our Efforts For Peace in Beledweyne

I was extremely excited to work on this because I have a deep connection to Beledweyne: it is
Maalidda dowladda Soomaaliya: siyaasadda isbeddel la’aanta

Hannaanka doorashada dadban oo suurtageliyay in siyaasiyiinta dhaqaalaha iyo awoodda leh ay xukunka yimaadaan (ama xoogaan), beesha caalamka oo lacag ku taageerta dowladda, iyo isla xisaabtan la’aan ayaa abuurtay dhaqan ay siyaasiyiintu ku maalaan dowladda oo ay ku hodmaan. Xaaladdan waxa ay Soomaaliya ka jirtay dhowr iyo labaatankii sano ee lasoo dhaafay ama wayba kasii horreysay, dhaqankanna wuu xididdeystay.
Milking the Somali government: the politics of the status quo

Flawed electoral processes that enable privileged politicians to come to power (or simply grab it), an international community that pours money into the government, and a lack of accountability have created a culture whereby politicians milk the government and enrich themselves. This has certainly been the pattern over the past decade or so, but the roots of the problem run deep.
Madaxweyne cusub, dhibaatooyin la yaqaan: Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud wax ma ku qaban doonaa fursaddiisa labaad?

Faalladan waxa ay qiimeynaysaa waxyaabaha sahlay in uu Xasan Sheekh guuleysto, iyo waxa laga filayo inuu ka qabto dhibaatooyin badan oo ka jira dalka, waxa uu qoraaga ku doodayaa in madaxweynaha cusub looga baahan yahay inuu arrimaha muhiimka ah wax ka qabto oo aanu ku mashquulin dib-u-doorashadiisa marxaladda doorasho ee xigta.
New president, familiar problems: Can Hassan Sheikh Mohamud get it right the second time?

This commentary assesses why Hassan Sheikh won, and what his prospects are for solving many persistent problems, and argues that the new president needs to focus on addressing these issues and not re-election over the next political cycle.