Over the past century, Somalia has been one of the main financial contributors to the world. With 30% of global energy passing through Somali territorial waters, the country is home to the second-largest fisheries and the second-largest livestock industry after Australia. Somalia’s natural wealth is undeniable.

Yet, I find myself deeply disappointed. Where has all the money gone? The Somali people deserve better, and it is high time we demand accountability. My call is clear: we need to provide immediate humanitarian support to the Somali people, guided by the principle of transparency and the rule of law.

Somalia is not lacking in resources – it is lacking in the proper leadership and a system that works for the people. We must come together and allocate all the financial and domestic resources needed to uplift Somalia and its population. However, this cannot be done with the current system of indirect voting, which has become nothing more than a breeding ground for corruption.

Currently, the price of becoming a member of the Somali parliament ranges from $150,000 to over $500,000. This means that those who pay such astronomical sums are not representing the best interests of Somalia. Instead, they elect corrupt leaders who are only concerned with recouping their investment. This is an outrageous and illegal practice that harms both the Somali people and international stakeholders. It undermines trust and perpetuates a cycle of corruption that leaves the country and its citizens behind.

That is why we must embrace the “One Man, One Vote” System. This is the only way to free Somalia from the grip of corruption, extremism, and ensure that the Somali people are given back their rightful voice. Only through this system can we ensure that every citizen has an equal say in the future of their country and that their votes truly matter.