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.