Editorial
Does Somaliland need more political parties?
October 16, 2011 · 40 Comments
Back in March of this year I wrote this editorial piece in SomalilandPress which I was against the formation of more political parties in Somaliland. In the last couple of months after president Ahmed Siilaanyo permitted more political parties to Somaliland there has been 6 new parties(UDHIS,WADANI,KAAH,DALSAN,DALJIR,RAYS) that I am aware of thus far and countless more in the formation stages. I said let us not open pandora’s box because that will create animosity between the people. Now that the box has been opened, how many political parties are enough for 3.5 million Somaliland citizens?
This week President Ahmed Silaanyo of Somaliland issued a press release in which he announced the formation of committee that will research into whether more political parties should be permitted in Somaliland politics. Even though, Somaliland is multi-party system country with viable democratic institutions, many groups including the young generation have been calling for more parties than the current three. Those that are advocating for more political parties feel it would increase diversity of viable voice in the political dialogue of the country. Some are even disputing that by consenting to more political parties Sool residents who currently feel reserve from the three political parties can create their own party whereby they can voice their grievances. Also pro-union Somalilanders can form their own political party whereby they can speak for those that feel Somaliweyn is the right bath forward.
On the other hand there are those that think the current three political parties United Peoples Democratic party (UDUB), Justice and Development party (UCID) and the ruling Peace, Unity and Development party (Kulmiye) are doing an adequate job and therefore there is no need for another party to join the group. Their concern is if Pandora’s Box is opened then each tribe or region will create their own political party thus dividing the cohesiveness that has made Somaliland democracy model in the region and Africa’s best kept secret.
It was in 2002, during the formation of Somaliland’s multi-party system that more than ten parties had registered. The legislation stated a party must receive at least 20 percent of the popular vote from four of Somaliland’s six regions in order to advance to the next stage. Six parties met these criteria and went into a battle to further minimize the number of parties in the country. A constitution was agreed on that only three parties with the most votes will be approved. The electoral commission announced the current three parties received the most votes and the other three parties had to merge with one of the three.
To come back on the previous question does Somaliland need more political parties, I say not at the moment. I feel that the current three political parties that we have are doing a sufficient job for a country of our size and population. I am aware of the discontent my generation has with the current political parties and the elderly bureaucrats that are still holding on to the post, however in time these old lions will have to retire. In the meantime the three parties need to reform where by the leadership position must have a term limit and not be a life time position thus giving young ambitious politicians an opportunity to guide.
God Bless Somaliland
________________________________________
Mohamed Ibrahim Haji Abdi is the founder of SomalilandPress and a consultant with ThomsonReuters.
Email this story
By Mo Guled
Tags: Kulmiye, Qaran, Somaliland Political Parties, Somalilandpress, UCID, UDUB
Readers Comments (40)
Somaliland
Somaliland gives 17 the death penalty, 5 jail terms
HARGEISA — A military tribunal in Hargeisa has sentenced more than 17 civilians to death by firing squad over the killing of three policemen. The ruling ...
SOMALILAND: 1100 teachers complete teacher training courses
HARGEISA – Vice-President Abdulrahman A. Ismail on Tuesday congratulated more than 1,100 teachers who concluded school-based teacher training courses in the capital. Teachers from universities, secondary ...
Somaliland: Africa’s unofficial country
HARGEISA — Most local banknotes in Somaliland are only worth pennies, so a brick of money is usually needed to buy a meal of camel ...
Somaliland:VP meets World Bank Officials
Somaliland Vice President Hon Abdirahman Abdillahi Ismael (saylici) has met with a delegation from the World Bank who are currently in the country ...
SOMALILAND: Land dispute leaves seven dead and scores wounded
- UPDATED HARGEISA — In a gory fallout of a dispute over land, at least four civilians were shot by armed security forces in the capital’s ...
Your Say
Dr Jowhar: We lost a friend, a Hero
Jama Musse Jama A tribute to a true patriot Abdishakur passed away on May 13, 2012 in a car accident at Tulli village, between Dilla and Borama ...
- Why Hiil Qaran Party Will Not Have a Significant Impact on the Politics of Somalia
- Sunday 20 May: Join in Commemorating late Dr Jowhar
- Qurbomeer State should stop smearing the reputation of Lula A Osman
- May 18: Somaliland Independence Day – Message from Islamabad
- When will Somaliland people know that their choices determine their destiny
- What does the Somaliland flag really represent?
- Somaliland: Istanbul is not the end of the world
- Do Muslims in the West need funeral covers?
- Are the Somali Unionists’ Predictions on Somaliland’s Collapse Crumbling under their Feet?
- Open letter to the People of Qatar & their Government
GEESI LOO HANWEYNAA – A tribute to my hero Dr. Jowhar
Hearing of the death of Dr. Abdishakur Sh. Ali Jowhar struck me as a thunderbolt out of the blue. At no time can one be ...
10 Years after Timor’s Independence, Where Is the Justice?
OPINION | May 16, 2012 John M. Miller The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) congratulated the people of Timor-Leste as they prepared to celebrate the ...
No we do not need them. Our last election went very well and the turn out was high. Those few attention seekers can die crying.
Somaliland is UDUB, UCID and Kulmiye. Dont like it, move out!
Silaanyo needs to be stronger than this, too many silly committees, we elected him to make DECISIONS not create million COMMITTEES.
He doesnt need to invite every farah to his job. His job is to make decision, clear cut. Not committee this committee that.
I wonder if he also has Jariid committee to make his cookies.
I voted Kulmiye in the last election but not on the basis to open more none-sense parties which will only mean more division among the people of this young democratic nation. Though, more parties will bring the END of UCID & UDUB I still don't agree and we need to find ways to convince Faysal Ali Waraabe & Daahir Riyaale Kaahin to hand-over their respective parties to new blood who can challenge KULMIYE in 5 years time.
The 2002 multi-parties legislation registrations which constituted the 3 top parties
as the only permitted by law shouldn't be allowed now to be exceeded as even MR. Abdi the founder
of Somalilandpress contends in this communique. However Kulmiye have already went through major
reforms whereas Udub Ucid are still staggering behind. The young ambitious politicians are urged
to join either one of the existing parties.
Cheers.
If the presiden cant make decisions instead of creating meaningless committees, he has to walk out. We need someone who takes non-sense. You dont need to throw them in jail just dont listen to their non-sense.
Right now the government is wasting precious time and money on an issue discussed 2002. Forget those sleeping people.
Its already too much for three parties, Faisal Ali Warabe screaming at us at one ear, Silaanyo and Riyale, imagine a fourth one.
Now that means when its campaign time, they going to occupay the whole week, each party one day, and their five supporters.
This lame and waste of time.
Should be discussing the droughts and the people with no food instead of giving time to some fools who woke up 9 years later. Go back to your bed guys. It will remain three parties, ama cabadaa ama indhaha dhiig ka kenaa.
BTW President Silaanyo is no longer the Kulmiye party leader. Also the President Silaanyo's new
strategy for the first time since he took office to set up special committees to study any given
problem(s) whether National or International levels before the Govt/Madaxtooyadu takes the final
decision(s) is ideally blessing ways of ensuring good governance. President Silaanyo is always
absolutely positive thinker to set up the right committees for any such affairs and has the final says
in all the recommendations of whatever.
Cheers.
kayse u are an hY and u people want somaliwayne soo your words have no marrit when it come to Somaliland
Somaliland doesn't need more than three parties. We all know the thinking behind this discussion, more parties for every beel or community, businessman, etc. This is exactly what happened in the 1960's in the defunct Somali Republic. Every man had his own party. it dilutes democracy and makes a mockery of the system. There are three parties in Somaliland, centre-left UDUB, centre-right KULMIYE and social left UCID, pick one that represents your position and support that party.
I agree that three political parties at one time is sufficient, however the door should not be shut to the creation of new parties especially if they bring new impetus and new ideas to the political arena. What I feel should happens is that a similar arrangement adopted back in the last local elections in 2002 should be reached. New parties should be allowed to register prior to the next local elections scheduled in the fourth quarter 2011 and again only the top three parties that gain 20% of the vote in each region should go through as the formal political parties and only those parties can compete in parliamentary and presidential election. The parties that do not make the mark should merge with the top three or their members should stay as independents.
This solution will over time give the electorate the opportunity to get rid of some parties by allowing them to vote in new ones, whilst not creating too many political voices during the each parliamentary and presidential session.
At this critical junction of Somaliland so much busy with other more importantly priorities
issues the question of opening pandora box for additional party(ies) should be denied and
bringing up this subject ignored. Instead all responsible institutions must concentrate on other
more important issues needing real solutions.
Cheers.
You have a point that the current situation in the country may warrant a decison to defer the opening up of political parties to compete in the upcoming local elections. However it should not be used as an excuse to affirm the decsion to stop any new party(ies) at all. New competion will keep the exsiting three parties in check.
More political parties just meaning to encourage more of tribal enclaves in Somaliland. I do not approve more of such parties. Why we should not join the current ones. We need to organize what we have now and made them represent the Somaliland people. Parties from Salal all the way to Lasanod must be part of each party and a mechanism to gain this should be put to test by legislative degree.
We must not allow many parties that represent Reer Hebel.
I voted Kulmiye in the last election but not on the basis to open more none-sense parties which will only mean more division among the people of this young democratic nation. Though, more parties will bring the END of UCID & UDUB I still don't agree that we allow more than three at this moment so we need to find ways to convince Faysal Ali Waraabe & Daahir Riyaale Kaahin to hand-over their respective parties to new blood who can challenge KULMIYE in 5 years time.
asc all dadkani waabay dawakhsanyiin
een sidaad ula socotaan waxa baratamay ilaa 7 xisbi ay ka mid ahaayeen
hormood….asad…..ilays….qaran…
ucid…..kuliye..udub
markaa 3 uun baa soo baxaya
aakhrka
ta labaad dastuurkeenaa qeexaya in ururo la furi karo waayo ururo iyo xisbi waa kala laba kala saara inaar
xisbiyada waa la furayaa waanay tartamayaan 3 xisbi baana aakhirka soo baxaya
siday usoo bexeen udub…ucid..kulmiye
ee loo reebay sida xisbigii hormood uu watay cumar carte qaalib
sida asad saleebaan nuur watay
iyo qaar kaloo badan markaa aakhirka
3 baa soo baxaya kumiye waa xisbi xaakimkii markaa wadanka sl xaq buu u leeyey in la furo xisbiyada waayo dadku
ucid iyo faysal wey ka daaleen 2 times isasoo sharaxay weli ku taagan iyo
udub oo dadku kaba niyad jabeen
iyo axmed yusuf yasinkan weli ku dhegan xisbigii
markaa sl waa u guuuuul in ururada la furo
Somaliland needs more political parties so that the they can break the monopoly of the existing 3 parties. Each time after the local government elections, the three biggest parties will remain as stated in the constitution. This is going to allow young and dynamic politicians to play a role in rebuilding the NATIoN. It is going to be the easiest way to get rid of the dino’s!!!
@ Dr. Bashe – Brother I though UCID was the party for the young what happened there? And don't forget that we already had more than three parties during our first Local Elections and that was cut down to three we've today which got the most votes in that election.
Simply said the young and dynamic politicians (God knows who they are) could learn much from
Dr. Gaboose,MUJ ENG.Hashi,MUJ Caydiid who are now top Cabinet Ministers running the shows of
3 highly regarded Ministries. Let them join either of the existing parties and prove themselves
like these ex Qaran top sunshiners.
Cheers.
well Said
As a young man who is very interested in SL politcs I deeply against this idea of creating a new polical parties. For gods sake this is a small country of only 3.5 million people with 3 established politics parties enough is enough . We dont not need more politcal parties. However what we need is a good civil service, and honest privat economy and most of all a system wherby the most bright and hardworking can come up and lead their nation. My advice to Pres. Ahmed Silaanyo is please dont open pandorax box on this nation. To create any kind of long term succes we need a good political class to lead this nation for the next century . No the creation of fake parties. Look at the succesfull ASIAN nation like Malaysia and Japan they had two parties changed hands for the last 50 year. Kulmiye Needs to create factories,Local Goverment , Small business jobs . We need less Journalism, and less MP.
JSL Above all.
Adan Farah.
Journalism and all constituencies are equally important institutions as well. The presidency is
the top office but what about all the other diverse public/private sectors.
Cheers.
i realy dont know exactly what to expect, but i have one argument for and one against. the argument for is that this actully might creat more parties who will compete one another to form a great leaders who will move this country forward. the argument against is this could turn into a tribe business which will destroy the country.
the conclusion is that no three is enough for now, maybe in the far future when this country moves away from tribe and becomes one of the developed countries then we could handle more parties. three is fine for noe
Their concern is if Pandora’s Box is opened then each tribe or region will create their own political party. In my opinion, it makes no different to keep current three parties or create new parties. Creating new parties will be obstacle for those who what to rebuild Somalia, we don't want to loose these supports. The arguments based on more new parties will open tribal box is actually misleading since the Udub, Ucid and Kulmiye are already tribal base parties from the start. The only positive thing i see for creating new parties maybe establishments of regional based parties with different objectives. If the situation was different the the one you are in, people like me would have no problems to support more parties. Nevertheless, people are moving on get their peaceful regional adminstrations that are free from Hargisa at the same time puting Somali Federal Justice System for all. What about if they open new parties and later on those parties with similar idea can united to get more supports. These three parties made of many smaller parties in past.
I do not agree in an increase of say half a dozen more political parties. However, including a maximum of two more political parties with alternative views for the greater development of Somaliland.
These include pro federalist unity party. Come on bros and sis, I know many S/Land people that seeks peaceful federal union with south Somalia, but will respect the decisions and political aspiration of the people of S/Land.
Somaliland's population has plenty of Talent and shoving only those three candidates (Silanyo, Rayale and Feisal) down our throats is unacceptable.
There should be a mechanism to force those three and their parties out of power, we need a trully democratic system where people have choices rather than asking us "which one of these three cookie cutters do you fit in?" I fit in neither one of them.
For Mohamed, the days of "ignoring" the wishes of the people has long gone with tyrants that we kicked out and thank God Silaanyo is more of a democrat than you sound. Even the sleeping Arabs are waking up these days.
The question is not the party leadership or personalities. Note please President Silanyo is not the head of the KULMIYE party anymore, former President Riyale relinquished the presidency after the election and will more than likely leave the UDUB chair after its next conference(whenever that is?), but Faisal Ali promised to leave his post if his party lost in the last election (as did all three)..That is not the main point. The issue is that three current party all have their own agendas and programs..they all have their on view point politically, left, right or centre, each Somalilander will find a place in each party as they currently do, but if you create more parties it will lead to chaos. It will make a mockery of our nascent democratic system, parliament will become ineffective, every Abdi and Ali will have his own party. Three is enough. Perhaps when our people become more politically savvy, we could things like the Islamic, Greens,etc.
Somaliland needs so badly more than ever, three political parties in its first round of election at the municipal race. And then only three will emerge from this competition. So what is the fuss! We will have only three parties to participate for presidential race, plus we always would have a whip to beat any misbehaving parties that don't display genuine democracy in its midst. Moreover this is the only way to have a new blood into the pipeline of Somaliland's political dynamics in short term. Look the guy who loss two times and still against opening multiparty and looking to run again and by the way where is Udub?…ridiculous isn't it??
Yes I do agree to the fact that Somaliland not only needs but must have more Political Parties. Its states in the constitution of Somaliland that everybody has the right to vote and to be voted for, adding to it the right of having political organizations, and many more which will be long to list, Politicians whether young or old are limited to the Tri-party Ideology, which doesn't give them the freedom to exercise their constitutional rights at all.
"arrinka kale ee jiraana waxa weeyaan Xisbiyadii rag bay u xidh xidhanyihiin oo aan ogoleyn inay cid kusoo biirto, taasinay waxay inaga xadideysaa dadkii wejiyada cusbaa ee firfircoonaa inay saaxadda siyaasadda soo galaan, markaa aad baan u taageersanahay in axsaabta la badiyo"
i donot agree to open the multi parties b/c we dont have ability above this three parties
also its shamfull to be candidate those fial last election i sagets to change the two failed persones but not the polotical parties
We Don't Need.!
I want to make the case we don't need another new political party in Somaliland. We
have enough parties anyone can join and work from within to bring about whatever changes or reforms they have in mind. I also make the case I don't buy the propaganda that existing parties and current leaders are incapable of bringing about the reforms and progress we need and must have. I the raise a number of questions and issues this new party must answer, if it has to convince us its objectives and goals are, indeed, different and that same cannot be obtained from within existing party system.
Ainashe
NO MORE POLITICAL PARTIES! Anyone who advocates to them is basically a Somaliwayne in disguise! Period! Our fragile democracy needs to be nurtured!
If the young want CHANGE then join any of the three parties and inact the change you want to see! Creating more parties only makes people confused about what the message is exactly and opens the door for clan bullshyt!
Look at Silaanyo he already gave up his seat to the next man! Where is Ucid and Udub in offering seats to the other men to make room for the new.
I dont like Qaran either the guy heading if left an important post just to suit his fancy. Why not serve your country well when given the position by the leader that was elected in a popular vote, but the man isnt satisfied and decided he wants it all. I smell another siyad, I could be wrong, I could be right!
Let us model ourselves up to what actually works, malaysia and japan have been mentioned. Too many parties means too many voices and confusion and if it goes that way we might just end up with the American DO NOTHING CONGRESS aka teagop.
God I hope not
Problems with SL politics
1. The current parties campaign by appealing to tribal sentiments. i.e. My tribe should support me!
2. The tribal minded people (a large chunk of the pop.) vote based on who their tribe is supporting or based on tribal ambitions.
3. The young educated section of your population vote for the most progressive. i.e. job creation, political inclusion, new ideas etc The majority feel alienated and dream of leaving the country.
4. Many would-be politicians behind these new parties are only there for their own gain – monetary or fame (my son is the president of this or that etc).
5. The smaller tribes regardless of politics will always feel marginalized and so running to Mogadishu or shouting UNITY with the south has become popular form of evening the odds. Listen to me or I will ruin it for everyone mentality.
6. It would have been easier to bring the harti into the political fold had the current parties leaders been less fascist in their ideologies (tribal). For example, Faisal would never have a support base in Sool, because his stupid tribal nature. And the harti aren't any better. why? Because they refuse to deal with anything touched by an Isaaq. That is why UDUB or Rayle was viewed as the non-Isaaq alternative. Childish really!
Somaliland does not need more political (or maybe 2 at the most no more). What we DO need desperately ,however, are progressive leaders who strongly believe in brotherhood, bridge building and consensus. Sadly, our leaders are lacking in all departments. Only now does Silanyo visit Las Anod. How Sad!
NO! We don't need any more. The thought of Gaboose having one just made me cringe. Opportunistic bastard.
TOP 3 PARTIES THAT WILL REACH THE NATIONAL STAGE
1.KULMIYE
2. WADANI
3. RAYS
WAA BILLAHI TOWFIQ
AXMED SAEED HASSAN
MILTON KEYNES, UK
I might be wrong, but my understanding was, after all these new parties were declared, there will be a party election. Whereby. the three most vote getter will remain as a national parties and the rest will be dissolved, just like the previous parties who were dissolved or joined the remaining three parties after failing to garner the needed vote..I hope this is still the case, otherwise, if every parties continue existing for long this Country itself will dissolve.
Your understanding is my assumption too. From day one I was deadly against opening a new Pandora.
Now that the Govt. of Kulmiye opened new Pandora borders the people wants to have correct
answers how the new Pandora parties will fit into the already old Pandora Kulmiye,Ucid,Udub???
Cheers.
I thought there were to be polical organisations such as the labour movement, teacher's organisation,ururka hoyooyinka etc…… which would join and/or support one of the three parties like in USA, UK, Canada. to their advantage. The constitustions says Somaliland can have only three parties.
If the USA with a population of +600 million can have 2 parties only why should have ten when are only 3 million? I fear and Alaah forbid we do not have to go Qabyaalad the worst deseas ever……
Imagine the BOOQQQQQ that wil occur come election day !
yacen hassan
No, I don't think we need more new parties. Three we have are already a headache, what you think about more? The President is only allowing them to open because it was one of his election promises that he is willing honour. But I don't think it is a good idea at all.
Yes we need more polical parties as long as the top three are to selected to run for parliment and presidential race. There is no other viable way to get rid the new dictators.
*No more political parties
*Just Improve the Current.Existing Parties by democrizing them futher and making them inclusive like the Kulmiye party has done
* UCID should listen those that wanted to reform the party to make it inclusive, because of their backwardness and tribalistic mind set, they have lost those most able to lead the party in the right directions like those who want to creat Wadani
*UDUB needs to reform as well by bringing in a more democratic leaders/members that can institute democratic reform and make tangible move towards democratization process as well as promote equity and fairness.
*Kulmiye which is the most democratic and functional party in Somaliland needs to continue to wean it self off of the forms of tribal politics that had shadowed Somaliland politics in the era of nation building and continue it democratic reforms. And as a governing party close off all the existing loopholes in our Legal and Legislative Systems that people like Rayaale and his adminstrations had exploited in the past to promote undemocratic activities.
*The public need to be educations about the dangers of tribal politics in a multitribal/multicultral country like ours, therefore we dont need more parties but better reforms, better inclusivity and totally indipentent & better justice system
Allaahu Akbar.
Yes indeed. Moreover the Multiparties processing exercises are conducted once in a lifetime and
this process was regulated once and for all in the past which brought about 3 solid parties;
Kulmiye Ucid Ududb. Opening new Pandora box will only add to polarizing the already depolarized
existed parties aforesaid. Therefore any new party successfully meeting all the required procedures should be conditionally allowed to affiliate with and become a partner party to any of the already existed parties
by choices etc….In exactly the same way the Qaran party headed by DR. Gaboose devolved itself into the Kulmiye's big wings.
Cheers.
i don,t beleive to win some prty because the somaliland has no enough economic to cover in election sothat i would like to close all new party thaks
by hadaari