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Chairman of UCID party has concern about living standards in Somaliland

May 23, 2011   ·   2246923 Commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2Fchairman-of-ucid-party-has-concern-about-living-standards-in-somaliland-22469Chairman+of+UCID+party+has+concern+about+living+standards+in+Somaliland2011-05-24+02%3A30%3A29Mo+Guledhttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2F%3Fp%3D22469

HARGEISA (SomalilandPress)–The chairman of UCID Party Eng Faisal Ali Warabe is concerned about the decline in the standard of living of the Somaliland people as he believes that for many Somalilanders conditions are worse now than they were in 1988. The chairman, who is in Finland declared that he and his associates will make changes in the constitution of the party and separate the chairman of the party and the candidate for the presidential elections. Faisal indicated that they are doing this to save the country from devastation and will be inviting people with political ambitions to the party.

In exploring issues related to development and stability Faisal has explored the situation in Somaliland since the 1950’s; “We have been marking 18th May with celebration, which is the day twenty years ago when Somaliland regained its independence and declared itself to be an autonomous region/state. I would like to look back where from where we are, what we have done for our country, where we are going and whether we can build a prosperous nation.

It is 30 years since the start of the armed struggle of SNM (1981), 20 years from the declaration of the republic of Somaliland. The mission and effort of Somalilanders is based on one thing-nationalism. It is obvious that the Somaliland people sacrificed everything they had to achieve common goals and sometimes they were subjected to massacre. Somaliland has also endured 20 years of lack of recognition, lack of financial support that has resulted in economic problems, unemployment and widespread famine, where 80% of the people are under the poverty line.

The problem of Somaliland people centers on the lack of effective politicians. From 1950, when politicians emerged as the new leaders of Somaliland people, there developed a belief that the politicians at the time failed to lead people and country as expected. In 1981-1991, our politicians failed to come up with a plan and a policy to lead the country after Siad Barre and this resulted in the outbreak of the civil wars of 1992, 1994-1996. It is unfortunate that lack of vision, strategies and clear policies brought about the civil war which led to the segregation of the Somaliland people and the lack of recognition.

Thus, where are we today? In 1996 and after the clannish meeting, Moh’ed Haji Ibrahim Igal was re-elected, the Somaliland people lived in a peace. The international community recognize that Somaliland is very peaceful compared to the rest of Somalia. From 2001, Somaliland became more democratic. There was the vote for the constitution in which 97% of the Somaliland people voted ‘yes’ and there was the subsequent formation of the multi-party political systems. There were elections of the institutions of the government. They were judged to be fair and free elections.

Although we have adopted democracy, there are other sides like economic development, basic community services, health and education systems, economic infrastructure including roads, airports and ports, employment and the establishment of governmental institutions that are lower in standard than they were in 1988. But, the worst thing is that people are losing the sense of patriotism. Tribalism, competition and division among Somaliland people seem to be growing. Anti-Somaliland people are also getting stronger and increasing in number.
On my side, for the last 18 years (since 1992), I have sacrificed my soul and property for Somaliland. I would advise for two things
1. Although I have not reached my goal to make Somaliland a recognized country where there is justice and unity, I am ready to make changes in the constitution of UCID Party. We are separating the chairman of the party from the candidate of for presidential elections; there will be a chairman of the party and at the same time somebody else will be the candidate for the presidential elections. We are also inviting ambitious people with a desire to serve to compete for positions.
2. I would advise the President of Somaliland Ahmed Moh’ed Moh’oud Siilaanyo to hold a quick national meeting to discuss ways to overcome the hard times and difficult tasks that lie ahead for the country”.

Reported by Fuad Abdi Aidid & Edited by Mark Jones
Hargeisa, Somaliland

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By Mo Guled

Tags: Faisel Ali Warabe, Somaliland, Somalilandpress, UCID