Opinions
From Sool to Salal – The Somaliland Democracy Prevails Again
June 28, 2010 · 23 Comments
Somaliland’s election was peaceful, without major incident and generally met international standards. More than a million Somalilanders turned out to vote in their fourth consecutive election. The delayed international response to Somaliland’s case of independence did not stop Somalilanders from building nascent and decent democracy. The international community should credit democracy progress in Somaliland with diplomatic recognition because they deserve it.
The 21 days heated presidential election campaign between the three candidates: Dahir Riyale, Faisal Warabe and Mohamed Silanyo. UDUB is ruling party, where Kulmiye of Silanyo and UCID of Warabe are strong and promising parties, ended on last Saturday (Voting Day). One can see voters in long queues waiting to practice their democratic rights. Men and Women voted equally; even some voters slept overnight at the polling stations to avoid further delays. Aisha Mohamed Abdi, 54 years old and mother of five from Sanaag Region, told Al-Jazeera English that she walked 24 hours to reach the polling station. Another voter, Abdi Omer – 62 years old and father of two – said that he slept the doorsteps of the polling station to be the first to practice his rights. Somalilanders are very serious to maintain sustainable and free democracy.
Somaliland’s National Election Commission (NEC) did a remarkable job by realizing the dream of the people of Somaliland: Free, Fair and true democracy, which is rare in Africa. Many African countries are witnessing violent election including Guinea where many people were killed and properties destroyed. In Somaliland, the voting process was very civilized with international quality. Hundreds of election observers including Former US Ambassador to UN and Presidential Envoy to Sudan Richard Williamson declared the election free and fair, except minor disturbances in the eastern parts of the country by terrorist militia linked to Al-Shabab Group (Terrorist group linked to Al-Qaeda).
Majority of the East Africans welcomed the democracy process in Somaliland including the Somalis in Mogadishu, who are under terrorist attacks. The President of Somalia, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed welcomed the election and described it as a milestone; the President Sharif appealed the home-grown Somaliland democracy to be transferred and implemented in southern Somalia. Somaliland people successfully established uncorrupted and modern state without international support.
International community spend millions of dollars in stabilizing vicious places in Africa, yet, murder and mayhem continue in many parts of the continent. In contrast, Somaliland through its tried and test formula of dialogue, discussion and consensus held number of free and fair elections including parliamentary, presidential and municipal, with a budget less than 10 million dollars. The world should support the people who improve themselves instead of pouring millions of dollars into the hands of the corrupted leaders and warlords.
The international media coverage on the historic and democratic event in Somaliland was massive including the leading USA printed, televised and online media who carried Somaliland elections reports on its headlines. New York Times, CNN and other major focused on democratic progress made in Somaliland, in other side, BBC and Arab World media like Al-Jazeera News Channel covered the election process.
The vote counting process is underway and candidates are sleepless with their fingers crossed over possible surprise result. NEC used high-tech biometric voter system to ensure One-Man-One-Vote and to avoid possibility of double voting and misuse. The people of Somaliland need to honor the NEC staff for their brave step of organizing neutral election between the parties and politicians; even the ruling party could not put its hand in NEC defense line, which is very remarkable behavior that endures in the developed world like USA and parts of Europe.
African Union (AU), European Union (EU), United Nations (UN), UK (United Kingdom – The Great Britain) and United States of America (USA) should take the first initiative of recognizing Somaliland and saving such splendid and unique democracy in Africa. The international community should, also, support Somaliland diplomatically because Somaliland is not demanding loans and donations but to do business with the rest of the world. Somaliland is under endless embargo which alienated it from the rest of the world. Today the people of Somaliland should look for another passport because they can’t travel with their own one; Somaliland students can’t join international universities; Somaliland tourists can’t travel freely; International companies can’t do business in Somaliland and even the Somalilanders can’t get jobs in international markets. All these are happening to the hardworking people of Somaliland because of their country is not recognized internationally. My question is, how long will international community hold Somaliland hostage for endless conflict in Somalia? We all know that Somaliland deserves recognition but why the world is hesitant from taking brave step to liberate and free the people of Somaliland from such unjustified and unfair treatment!
By Abdulaziz Al-Mutairi under OPINIONS
Email; az.almutairi@yahoo.com
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By Mo Guled
Tags: Abdullaziz Al-Mutairi, Kulmiye, Somaliland, UCID, UDUB
Readers Comments (23)
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I got a question for the world,, Do we ask recognition for Africa or Africa needs a recognition from us!!!
I THINK , REALLY AFRICA NEEDS RECOGNITION FROM US AS WELL AS DEMOCRACY SPREADING SYSTEM LED BY SOMALILAND IN THE AFRICAN CONTINENT
THE GREAT SOMALILAND
Welcome back Al-Mutairi! Indeed, it is a remarkable and a job well done. They showed bravery and a sheer determination to make it happen. We hope that the International Community will take notice and reward Somaliland for their hardwork and a job well done.
Thanks for your insights and a great topic.
Welcome back indeed our Arab friend, Muslim brother.
No recognition talk. What we need is to strengthen our democracy by working closely with concerned bodies and nations and seek military aid to protect our democracy and spread it to Somalia.
The new government should tell the donors we want to build our foundations and get the current irregularities right with their help and assistance.
We should be given special status not recognition, I am afraid if we get recognition we just gonna be like Somalia. We need something that pushes us and keeps us improving – that goal!
However we should be able to get military assistance including training of our forces including our coastguards to fight Somalia's pirates.
The new government should invite Somali regional governments such as Galmudug state and the Banadir government to Hargeisa.
We should also set up a reconciliation conference in Hargeisa for Hawiye tribes while also accepting the current displaced Hawiyes in Somaliland as Somalilanders. If they wish to return they could, however I believe the displaced people from Mogadishu should get more assistance from Somaliland and all agencies and should be resettled along with Somalilanders displaced by droughts.
We can not stay in that Madaxooyada (presidential palace) compound and close the gate on other issues. If we want to be a nation we have to act like one and resolving issues on our door step is what a responsible nation does. Rayale failed this.
It's important to reach out to the Hawiye community who are the powerhouse of the South, developing close ties with them is our interest.
I hope that is the first thing Mr Siranyo does when he is sworn in.
1) Tell NGO's help with the displaced or get out. We do not need you.
2) All displaced people from Mogadishu should be resettled and should have the right to vote in the next elections, if we isolate them they will sympathize with radicals and say they were right.
3) Develop good ties with Hawiye elders and help them find a peace in the South.
I believe this because, I know a lot of the displaced people from Mogadishu have both good and needy people as well as creative and people that could be great for Somaliland. The only way to find out is by opening up this barrier that the current government created. Accepting them as one of our own will empower them which will only produce fruits for Somaliland.
By accepting them we are also unlocking one chain from the clan domination. Our democracy will improve by allowing all clans and all communities to vote.
Those displaced people also have huge communities and relatives in the Diaspora, giving them home, will win new hearts of Somaliland.
It will create a cohesion Somaliland that is viable, diverse and empowering.
I strongly believe this.
Kayse,
Somaliland has its own problems. oodaha sidday ukala horrayyaan lookala
gurraa. bal marka horre aan ka baxnno doorashadda, hadday guusho
raacddo xisbiyyaasha mu'caardka, middu yahayba, markaa kadib yay
haboon tahay waxaan aad ka hadlaysid iyo wax kaleba. dhibka jira
haddi udub guushu raacdo somaliland wax la yirrahdo ka quuso.
waxay uun ahaan meel u dabran somalia oo iyana aan rejo ka muuqan.
bal u fiirso irin lucbaday ciyarayso iyo sidda somaliland loola fas ciyaaraayoh.
balse aan sugno natijadda aanigo sass ka qabba innay dacddo khiyanaddi
doorashaddi madaxtooyaddi tan ka horrayysay oo kale.
allah mahad leh.
THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SOMALILAND DEMOCRACY AND THE U.S DEMOCRACY OR THE SOMALILAND DEMOCRACY IS MORE TRANSPARENT THAN THE US DEMOCRACY……..
SOMALILAND IS THE BEST
In general terms, there several options open for Somaliland after these
elections.
1) As charity begins at home, first & foremost, must set up its own base
and decide the direction it will take in its foreign policy.
2) Upto now the direction was hostage for Somalia.
3) What can happen possibly, maybe Somaliland Somalia 2
States Sovereign Govts, or if there can be a reunion of some
sort of Centralized Govt, that too can be worked out for the govts
to function in the North instead of the South, in my judgement, any
notion to consider another reunion can only be guaranteed by
both the north & south becoming a member of the British
Commonwealth. Anything else is difficult and uncompromisable.
No I do not support any sort of union and don't need my Hargeisa to be the capital infact I'm against Hargeisa being the capital of Somaliland.
The capital of Somaliland should be Sheekh, but thats another topic and debate.
Anyways its big NO to union. They will ruin and derail our democracy again and they cant be trusted.
However we need to get those displaced people a solution, we need to get them to vote, to attend schools and be normal Somalilanders. So far the current administration has isolated and alienated them. They didnt choose to flee from their homes, we fled to so we need to consider them. They left the south the same reason we left their government and union.
Hope the new government treats them equal to everyone otherwise the dream Somaliland for many is still missing. Equal and democratic, free and fair.
Hawiyes are good people raised with bad Italian culture.
They should have a seat in Somaliland parliament, remember there are over 80, 000 of them in Somaliland and in the last election (95), the winning party won by only 88 votes. So its time the 80,000 strong hawiye joined a party.
I am just flabbergasted and dumbfounded to what you have to say! Kayse, you are either high on chewing kat or out of your mind. None of what you have to say here makes any sense at all. “No recognition talk, .. we should be given special status not recognition.”
No recognition means you want to remain part of Somalia. If you say: big NO to union, then you should say: big YES to recognition. It is either or and there is nothing in between.
The southern Somalis have assimilated deeply into the Italian culture and adopted the Mafioso style from the Italy. I believe you don’t know them well. I saw what they are capable of. They are very deceitful. Among other things, their crimes extends from staging accidents to claim insurance money and such as human trafficking, piracy, to stealing babies and youngsters to sale their body parts to foreign. They would laterally do anything for money. They don’t have any morale of decency.
Besides, Hawie hates Somalilanders and never want them to stand as a sovereign Nation. No, no, no, and a big NO to what you are suggesting.
No. I don't want them in my backyard never mind making them part of Somaliland.
No I dont chew grass that's for cows :)
You have long way to go in politics, what you giving me are emotions not rational and political maturity.
Everyone hates everyone in your emotional world, there are even isaaqs that hate Somaliland for your information, good example, Ahmed Godane, Buuba, Kalun, etc.
This is political manauvour not emotional ship.
In politics there is no "we dont need" nor there is "oh he/she hates us" — its about convincing others about your case and having a strong foreign policy. Hawiye nation is the powerhouse of the south, we cant have a weak government like Rayale that ignores them. If it was me I would have solved this issues long time ago. Install a man in Mogadishu. Even Ethiopia's 80+ million people need a man in Mogadishu to survive and breath easy (Sufi group, sheikh sharif, etc)….so dont see why 3 million Somalilanders dont think having hawiye on their side is their best interest.
Some people just cant differentiate emotions from politics. heart and mind.
Its possible to have Somaliland functioning 100% independently without recognition and also that is involved with the south.
Right now the Somaliland we have is Somaliland it imposed self sanction on it self because of its dumb foreign policy, it has only one —> keep repeating 1960 bla bla to every white man in black suit.
Time to focus on our backyards.
Kaysow, I think I said it before and will say it again: Illaahay meel aad madax ka tahay ima toso. You are flib-flopper and very unpredictable that changes from moment to moment like a chameleon.
Thousands of Somalilanders died to regain our sovereignty and for you to easily dismiss it like nothing happened and to invite back Walweyn is really outrageous.
Although, you are entitled to your opinion, I am happy that you are Habashi rather than Somalilander because what you are suggesting wouldn't have much effect on us.
Welcome back Mr. Al-Mutairi!
Mr. Kayse, that is a noble idea.
Somalilanders are finally harvesting the fruits of their limit-less sacrifices and Allah willing will continue to exercise Allah given rights. We also thank everyone who contributed to this historical moment.
For in-coming administration, please remember Allah is watching you, please respect yourself, please respect the constitutions, which gave you the chance to represent 3.5 Million people so that Somalilanders will be obliged to respect you and love you.
This is also the time were peace loving and self respecting nations acknowledge the achievements of Somaliland and reciprocate it with un-conditional recognition.
welcome back brother, i see that all of you clearly understoooood what we want from the world and what the world wants from us there fore i my self have a question about this and it’s do we somalilanders wait a sleep till the recognition is comming or do we work together to build the infrastructions of the society including buildings,hospitals,education fields,and any thing that help us our existane i am waiting your answers brother and sory if there are any mistakes in my english but i hope you will get what i mean,
(wait and sleep). that is one mistake i did and thanks for your coming answers.
its funny at times to hear people go sentimental and all one of the guy up there in the comments said we should help hawiye ..keyse brotha u got some serious issue's i guess u still did not get the point of why somaliland was made in the first place …somaliland belong to isaaq and isaaq only ther's u go am makin this official N ther 's no f way we are gonna help anyone that includes even the present Somalia ..some fools even still dream of makin hygeysa the capital of somalia n i even heard they said we should act responsible and act wise n lead the somali nation from hygeysa since ..mudisho On fire ..this is to all those fools with extra idea of helpin people who got us to this position in the first place should change ther mind ..if someone really deserves help its our people ..we need all the help we can get and ther no way a smart isaaq president would force n N.G.O to get out of his country just coz keyse thinks they should be helping the displaced people ..ni99a atleat we gave em a place to stay coz as i remember wen we were bombarded we had to ask Ethiopia to spare us some land …so now u know somaliland has done enough to show we an,t like somalia N there's no way of unity coz the islam we follow doe's not allow us to kill our muslim brother's N keyse the one they pratice doe's
recornition is this year people i can smell it coming …haterz will be proved wrong
You have long way to go, please keep playing your Playstation :)
Kayse,
You urguement is really valid, yet You siad “…there are even isaaqs that hate Somaliland for your information, good example, Ahmed Godane, Buuba, Kalun, etc.”
Is somali land only belong to to Isaaq?
I love unity and I think I have the right to do that!
On the other hand emotion and poletics are two different things. I think somaliland could safeguards its interest only when emtions are stoped and political games are begun from its back yard. Because this will an effective and less costy than visiting Europe and America to seek recognition
Look at puntland which maintain Somaalinimo for manaafaqnimo and they call us the anti-somali adminstration. Really they are the biggest Munaafaq that deeply hate somalis, history recorded that they had started firing thier guns on all somalis from the back. Yet for the sake of their forign policty the prented. We don’t need pretentions as our nation is built on more solid foundation than they do.We need to strengthen our security to maintain peace and assist the intenational community to bring peace in the south.
This can be done by new generation of poletian who are well educated innovatime and creative go as far us bring NGO and and emabacies in Nirobi so that they operate from Hargiesa etc.
No more closed doors!
Kayse, every day you are showing us that you are immature person. and as usual make an abrupt reversal over and over to your ideas, but keep on talking in the end you might say something worthwhile.