بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

May peace and blessings of Allah be upon you all

My Dear fellow Somali citizens,

I am a candidate for the highest office of our nation because I want to restore the dignity and honor of our Somali people that has been tarnished and stained. The quality of great leadership is integrity, honesty and setting an excellent example for others to follow. I pledge to strive and exemplify these great leadership qualities if by the grace of Allah and with the support of the Somali people, my candidacy prevails.

I am a candidate for the highest of our nation because I want to return good governance to Somalia, characterized by transparency, accountability and financial integrity. As you all know, Somalia currently has the misfortune and shame of being known as the most corrupt country in the world. I pledge to the Somali people, if Allah deems so, and I have the honor to assume responsibility for the office of the President; fighting and preventing corruption will be one of my highest priorities.

As you all know, endemic corruption is a serious disease that cripples the growth of any economy and the fight against poverty. Corruption discourages and makes cynics out of friendly donor countries which are ready to provide critical financial and economic assistance to our Somali people. Last but not least, corruption seriously demoralizes patriotic and decent Somali citizens willing to pay their fair share of taxes by either evading and/or not paying taxes that would have been used to provide services to the Somali public.

My fellow citizens,

I am a candidate for the highest office of our nation because I want to rightfully return the management of our nation’s affairs into the hands of the Somali people. Allah willing, under my stewardship, I pledge that never again would the representatives of the Somali people be denied their solemn oath and duty to fully discharge their responsibilities in all types of decision-making and in managing the affairs of our nation. Furthermore, I also pledge that under my stewardship there won’t be squabbling and infighting that brings to a complete halt the solemn duty to serve the Somali people.

If Allah deems so and I prevail as a candidate for the highest office of our nation, I pledge for the Somali people that my energy and focus will be exclusively directed on furthering the affairs and interests of the Somali people and not that of other outside interests whether domestic or foreign and definitely not any personal interest of mine whatsoever.

My fellow citizens

Allow me to present my profile, vision and political platform that reflect the priorities, programs and issues for the government I will form, if Allah deems so and my candidacy prevails on August 20, 2012.

To our Somali youth,

My message for the youth of Somalia wherever they might be, whether inside or outside the country, whether in refugee camps or in the diaspora, the time has come for the young people of Somalia to reclaim their country and get involved in shaping its destiny. They can do so by returning and engaging in entrepreneurial activities, by joining or forming civil, social, and political organizations, or other avenues they deem appropriate and they can make a contribution.

In its long history, there is no other time your country has needed you the most. As a candidate for the highest office in our country, I am calling for the youth of Somalia to join our campaign or the campaigns of the other distinguished Somali candidates for the office of President of Somalia; and to be part of making history in rebuilding our country, restoring its dignity and honor once again, and be the great nation we know.

Final remarks,

My fellow Somalis,

I am confident, with Allah’s support, and with your engagement in this election, together we can rightfully return the management of our country’s affairs in the hands of the Somali people. I want to remind my fellow citizens that we are one nation, one people. And united we can overcome any challenge or problem we face. However; divided we will falter, fail and fall into the trap of those who do not wish us well.

I am confident that day will be very soon, in few short years, the day when instead of our country being known as a ‘failed state’; the world will be talking about the ‘Somali miracle’.

The vision I present in this document and the policies proposed are the result of extensive deliberations and detailed conversations with many thoughtful and distinguished Somalis inside and outside the country. I have taken a realistic approach that guard against fake promises.

The vision I present aspires for an era of honest, sincere, competent and of good governance. I am asking for your support and prayers to fulfil my commitments to the goals I set forth, during the next four years, Insha Allah.

Finally, this is the platform of a candidate for the highest office in our country who is determined and hopeful to enter office armed with a comprehensive outlook built on knowledge of the affairs of the state and the ability to govern. This is the platform of a candidate that takes into account the important legislative and oversight roles of parliament, and intends to cooperate with the parliament in order to reach national consensus on the challenges facing our nation, and to work jointly to confront and address them.

This is my pledge to Allah and to the great people of Somalia.

Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdi Hashi
Thursday June 28^th, 2012.