It is generally accepted that when faced with the choice people are inclined to do what is in their own best interest. Take Somali MPs for example, they get a regular income now from being MPs however in the event of a one man one vote system they run the risk of losing their current post and therefore losing this regular income. Why then should they make the process of reaching this target any smoother?
Again, when a president has all his children abroad, when they study abroad, live abroad, he buys houses abroad and there is little tying him to the country which he runs, where is the incentive to go beyond syphoning money to offshore accounts?
This isn't just about Somalia but African politics in general. However since we are Somalis this is what's relevant to us.
There is also the question of AMISOM and the UN who have very little incentive to see Somalia become independent of them as all it will do for them is dry up their revenue streams.
How then can Somalia ensure that its politicians are incentivised to work in the best interest of the country?
I think the first step lies in revoking dual citizenship of anyone who holds office starting with the president, ministers, federal presidents, MPs all the way to the police officers.Then there is the issue of MPs who should spend a minimum of 6 months (possibly more) in the region they have been elected from. If they build relationships with these communities there will be less fear of them not getting re-elected. Furthermore they should get a better idea of what their constituents need and fight for them in parliament. This will lead to people demanding more from their representatives and parliament should become a place of work where laws get passed and things get done.
