KULMIYE:
The Dilemma Of A Failed Leadership
As Somaliland heads towards the forthcoming Presidential elections,
the fragmentation of KULMIYE under its current leadership continues
unabated.
It is beginning to dawn on the current party senior members that the
status-quo cannot continue. As witnessed by the recent dispute
between the chair of KULMIYE, Ahmed Moh amed Mohamud
“Siilanyo” and his deputy, Muse Bihi, there is now a struggle for
the lead ership of the party.
As it stands right now, and if the election were to be held today,
it is clear that KULMIYE will more than likely finish third to
either UDUB or UCID, Somaliland two other political par ties. This
is inconceivable to the party members and supporters.
To this observer, the decline of KULMIYE is guaranteed under its
current failed leaders hip.
KULMIYE has become an exclusive club instead of a serious inclusive
political party. The party has become hostage to the “personality
cult” of its current leader.
There is no room for debate or vocal opposition within the party.
This once proud party, KULMIYE, has been reduced to a platform for a
singular ambition of its current leader and few acolytes who do not
share the belief of the majority of the party members, i.e. the
independence and sovereignty of Somaliland .
The main platform of KULMIYE in the forthcoming elections was one of
“Change”. However, the “Change” most party members and supporters
were espousing is one of “change” within Somaliland , not the
“change” or should I say “return” that the party chair and his
cohorts want.
The current party leaderships’ “change/return”, has nothing to do
with the “Change” the majority of party members and supporters want.
These folks want a “change” from the incumbent government, but, its
leader wants a “return” to the defunct entity of the “ Somali
Republic ”.
The current turmoil within KULMIYE is a political battle for the
soul of the party. It is a battle which has now come down to whether
the current party leader and his few close supporters actually
wanted to lead Somaliland, in the remote possibility of an election
success, or whether they are using the party as a tool to further
their agenda of a “federalist” plan. There is no doubt that the
current leader and his supporters are in the minority within the
party.
Once the Somaliland National Elections Commission certifies the
voter registration list and purifies the data, and subsequently sets
an election date, it is clear that UDUB and UCID will have a clear
head start, whilst KULMIYE continues to stutter under its current
leadership, and time is running out for KULMIYE to put its house in
order.
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