Somaliland Election –
Africa´s 3rd Finest Democracy
In Somaliland, democracy means a
form of popular government in which the power is held directly or
indirectly by the citizens via a free election.
As first free and fair democracy in East Africa, Somaliland has a
tradition of promoting democracy, liberty, equality, freedom of
worship and expression. Somaliland held more than one election
starting with Referendum Election on the Constitution of Somaliland,
which defines the independence and integrity of Somaliland Republic
in its first paragraphs. Somaliland received financial support from
free world in the process of organizing the elections, including
European Union that sponsors the expenses of 29th March 2009
Presidential Election.
United States of America, EU, Great Britain, African Union…etc all
called for support to Somaliland democracy and Multiparty system,
which is rare in Africa. Democracy analyzers ranked Somaliland on
third place after South Africa and Ghana in free and fair democracy
in the black continent. In 2003, UDUB, the ruling party, won with 80
votes over strong Kulmiye party. The upcoming election may surprise
many people and change the leadership of the country.
UDUB Chairman and President of Somaliland Dahir Riyale Kahn know the
challenge waiting him and his party in next election. He promised to
lead the country for another five years, as the constitution of
Somaliland allows only two terms for each leader. The Kulmiye leader
Ahmed Siilanyo vowed his supporters win in next election.
In other hand, UCID party plays very vital role because its support
is necessary to both the strong contestants – UDUB and Kulmiye. UCID
formed opposition coalition with Kulmiye party in last parliament
election, which earned UCID the Parliament Speaker Seat. Also, both
bigger parties UDUB and Kulmiye need the support of UCID to cross
dividing line and form the next government. It is very much expected
that result will be tight.
Somaliland Election Commission is an independent, and constitution
gives full authority to carry out the election without need of any
political party. The commission executes all its operations without
referring the cabinet of ministers, and elects its administration
body and chairman between the board members of the commission.
What is highly new in Africa is the Biometric Voter Registration in
Somaliland, where fingerprints of all citizens are saved in
centralized database. This eliminated the duplication and identifies
Somalilanders from other regional population. Biometric Voter
Registration is first time in the history of Africa; even the rich
African countries like South Africa don´t have such splendid
technique to support democracy.
I republish an article about the development of democracy in this
mainly unknown country in East Africa: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/65273
DIPLOMATIC EMBARGO ALIENATES SOMALILAND FROM WORLD
Diplomatic impediment is hampering Self-sufficient Somaliland
efforts towards statehood. Somaliland needs to do business with
international community and play vital in peace and human rights
restoration in the world. If no diplomatic support, Somaliland
democracy will die between search of sovereignty and international
stubbornness on its cause.
When the regime of Siad Barre was ousted from power in Somaliland in
1991, the long waited dream of Somalilanders was finally realized
with the return of their lost integrity and prompt filling of the
power vacuum left by General Mohammed Siyad Barre – the regime that
destroyed the unity of the Great Somalia, which was a combination of
British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland after gaining independence
in 1960.
In British Somaliland, the colony meant a marginal importance to the
British Empire and was used merely as a logistical supply outpost
for British ships sailing to India or to the Gulf of Aden. The
British colonial praxis then could best be described as indirect
rule and, as a result of this soft approach to indigenous political
systems, the traditional order stayed largely intact.
The older and intelligent Somaliland generations signed an agreement
with British in Yemen refusing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding
– MoU with a foreign party on their own soil.
Following are the stipulations of the agreement:
1. Pregnant British women should not deliver their babies on
Somaliland Soil, as per the understanding that the child has the
right to hold the Somali nationality since he is born on Somaliland
territory.
2. No British or accompanying foreigners including Indians will be
allowed to bury their dead in Somaliland without obtaining a permit
from the local council.
3. British citizens should not socially interact with Somalilanders
including marriage.
4. British citizens should establish their own residential community
separate from Somalilanders.
5. British citizens should not interfere with Somaliland´s religion,
much so, propagate Christianity.
6. Educational institutions that will be established in Somaliland
by British parties should gain the support of the local council.
7. British citizens should be considered as guests, not as
colonizers.
8. British citizens should leave Somaliland anytime the people of
Somaliland ask them to go.
These are some of the terms and conditions specified in the
agreement signed between Somaliland elders and Her Excellency, the
Queen of England and Wales representatives in Aden – Yemen. The
agreement was written on animal skin, which still remains in the
hands of the Somaliland elders today.
Our Senior Citizens who signed such an agreement with the British
were either not educated or had no experience of signing high
profile MoUs. Somalilanders adopted the problem solving techniques
of the elders who resolved issues under the trees. The Somaliland
modern democracy is nothing but a product of these traditional
problem solving techniques.
After Somaliland was declared, clan leaders and elders in Somaliland
gathered in a traditional meeting and proclaimed Somaliland
independence in May 1991 at Burco City. Guurti (Upper House of
Parliament in Somaliland) is a traditional conflict solving body in
Somaliland, which has succeeded in bringing law and order in the
country.
International Recognition:
Since then, Somaliland can be regarded as a democratic and stable
region. With minimal foreign aid, it has managed significant
progress in its effort to consolidate statehood. In a nationwide
referendum held in 2001, the country introduced a new constitution
with overwhelming 97% of support. In April 2003, voters were again
called to the polling stations for the election of a new president.
The ballots in which Dahir Riyale Kahin was elected as president
were moderately free and fair. Opposition Parties Leaders Ahmed
Mohammed Siiraanyo of KULMIYE and Eng. Faisal Ali Waraabe of UCID
lost against Mr. Kahin in a historic, unique and democratic manner
and readily accepted the result of election.
The consolidation reached a climax at the end of September 2005 when
the country held parliamentary elections. International observers
from South Africa, UN, I.G.A.D and AU called the elections free and
fair. Furthermore, more voters turned out to elect candidates from
different clans, a clear signal that Somalilanders are beginning to
trust their political system. But the consolidation of statehood has
so far not been followed by international recognition from the
international community.
Meanwhile, the question of Somaliland’s independence has created a
row between the two former colonial powers of Somalia, Italy and
Great Britain. Italy has strongly emphasized the importance of
Somalia’s unity and is subsequently supporting the T.F.G. headed by
Abdullah Ahmed Yousif. Unfortunately, Britain´s support to its
former colony has dwindled and sometimes rejected Somaliland´s claim
of independence. Britain is the only country in the world, which is
fully aware of Somaliland´s history particularly after gaining
independence on the 26th of June 1960. Britain knows that over 34
countries have recognized Somaliland since its independence from the
UK in 1960.
International Diplomatic Embargo on Somaliland:
Although Somaliland managed stability and continuity through its
democratic policy, its foreign policy has been paralyzed by
diplomatic embargo against Somaliland, where the international
community realizes process, democracy and statehood in Somaliland
but still remains blind and even refuses to hear the Somaliland
voice of freedom. In 2007, Somaliland diplomacy started shinning
after Rwanda Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Charles MURIGANDE
highlighted Somaliland development followed by a lecture delivered
by Somaliland Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Mohammed Duaale
in the last AU Foreign Minister´s meeting.
I.G.A.D. is committed to Somalia’s unity fearing that a successful
secession of Somaliland could be misinterpreted as a precedent of
other secessionist movements in East Africa. Arab countries are
trying to balance Ethiopia’s influence in the Horn. Yemen, for
instance, supported Jama Ali Jama, a rival of Yusuf in Puntland, as
Yusuf is regarded by many Somalis and Arabs as too attached to Addis
Ababa. According to Arab theory, United Somalia is only a factor to
balance Ethiopian military presence in east Africa, which forces
them to throw the Somaliland case of independence in a dustbin.
Yemen serves as an important transport hub for small arms to TGS
ailing President Abdullah Yousuf Ahmed of Somalia despite a United
Nations arms embargo (before it was lifted).
Furthermore, Ethiopia builds muscles of TFG President Abdullah-yey
regime, with its subject of exercise being perceived as against
Somaliland. The mature politics of Ethiopia was instrumental in
maintaining good relations with Somaliland as well as with Yousif
and the T.F.G.
Ethiopia utilizes Somaliland Ports after Djibouti and Eritrea sliced
it off the coast of the red sea. Currently, Berbera Port is the only
sea access to Ethiopian business and government supplies, because
Somalia ports remain vicious and perilous for Ethiopian use.
Djibouti, on the contrary, feels uneasy to have modern and
democratic Somaliland in the region, and Djibouti doesn’t want to
promote a business competitor for its main source of revenues – port
revenue collections is the backbone of Djibouti economy. The
government of Djibouti enjoys a very peaceful border with
Somaliland.
US sources, in the Economist December 2005 issue, hinted that Italy
is funneling weapons to the provisional government despite a United
Nations arms embargo. Britain, as the former colonial power of
Somaliland, is said to develop a much more open approach to
Somaliland and has repeatedly encouraged Hargeisa’s process of
democratization.
The United States also pursues a more open approach. The U.S. State
Department announced that it “welcomes the September 29
parliamentary elections in Somaliland.” Furthermore, US based Center
for Strategic and International Studies issued a number of
recommendations to strengthen U.S.-African policy, describing
Somaliland’s capital Hargiesa as a strategic location in the global
war on terror and criticized the lack of a U.S. presence in the
area.
Conclusion: Although Somalilanders voted for their independence and
exhibited their right of self integrity, the latter is still a
victim of ongoing conflict on the international diplomatic embargo.
The International Community is deeply divided on the issue while
I.G.A.D is unable to endorse any solution. Somaliland´s future rests
to be seen besides Somalilanders commitment to continue with or
without support from the international community.
Author:-
Abdulazez Al-Motairi
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