Somaliland: Are Our Leaders Serious About Democracy?
Once again, Somaliland's three political parties, Kulmiye,
Waddani and UCID have fallen into disagreement. This
time it is about the membership of the new Somaliland National Elections
Commission (NEC).
The Somaliland constitution clearly states
that the three political parties in the country may nominate to the NEC
members of the society "who are not official members of the party".
These new nominees can be supporters who share the same political
philosophy or eminent persons.
The President, Muse Bihi Abdi's nomination to the new NEC of a fully-fledged party member, does not seem valid.
However, the stance taken by the other
political parties doesn't help matters. We have come this far through,
dialogue, discussion and consensus. There has to be a "give and take" in
order for the nation to move forward.
It would seem that our current political
leadership has no desire to see any parliamentary or local council
elections to take place in the country.
So, this begs the question, why don't they want the vote to take place?
Our parliament's mandate has badly expired.
It has been sitting for 14 years! Ten of these years have been on
extensions. It is out of gas, out of ideas, out of everything. It has
become a place for members, when they even bother to show, just to draw
their monthly wages or fly on political junkets abroad!
It is not even clear which members belong to which party! Are they Kulmiye, Waddani, UCID or even UDUB?
The local councils have become a place for
graft and corruption on an unprecedented level. Local people"s taxes are
being used, allegedly, to buy land, businesses, villas and farms!
The House of Elders (Guurti) has become
senile. Our elders have taken to fighting each other in the chamber!
This is the supreme legislative body in the country! It has been sitting
for close to three decades. It is badly in need of reform. Yet, it is
now even unable to get involved in local disputes, such as Ceel-Afweyne,
Eastern Sanaag or other national crisis, because it is also out of gas,
ideas and purpose.
What keeps Somalilanders together is a sense
of shared beliefs, ties and outlook. If we cannot give our citizens the
franchise to elect new members of parliament and local councils and
reform our House of Elders, it will have a domino effect on all other
national institutions.
Enough with the delays, obfuscations and
political shenanigans. Come together for the sake of the country and
let's get ready for free and fair elections.
The people of Somaliland will not accept the current status-quo. We need to remain united and strong.
And we can only achieve that through democracy.
Wa Bilaahi Towfiiq
Ali Mohamed Abokor
AFEEF:
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