Opinions

Somaliland:President Ahmed Silaanyo: A Leader with a Mission and Mandate who gives a Voice to a Voiceless Nation [PART-1]

October 15, 2012   ·   3611231 Commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2Fsomalilandpresident-ahmed-silaanyo-a-leader-with-a-mission-and-mandate-who-gives-a-voice-to-a-voiceless-nation-part-1-36112Somaliland%3APresident+Ahmed+Silaanyo%3A++A+Leader+with+a+Mission+and+Mandate+who+gives+a+Voice+to+a+Voiceless+Nation+%5BPART-1%5D2012-10-15+19%3A22%3A43SomalilandPresshttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2F%3Fp%3D36112

After nearly 8 years of confusion, corruption, mismanagement, and deliberately thwarting the rule of law and the national constitution, on June 26 2010, the Somaliland electorate have spoken and decided on their country’s future. At the right time, when the need for change was highly inevitable, Mr. Ahmed Silaanyo was elected as the President of Somaliland Republic. He was elected at a time when Somaliland was heading into the wrong direction and seemed that the people of Somaliland were leaving behind a period full of hope and expectations and entering an environment of fear and uncertainty.

The winning of the presidential elections by President Ahmed Silaanyo and his political party (Kulmiye) was a win for democratic values, nation spirit and solidarity. It was a win for strength of character, ability to take moral responsibility, resilience and re-emergence of hope. In fact, it was a great win for all peace & development loving Somalilanders.

The people of Somaliland had given the President the political capital, the legislative means and a full mandate to serve the nation and the national interest in the first place, to do things better and to act and operate according to the rule of law and country’s constitution.

However, when President Ahmed Silaanyo took the office he inherited one of the most unfavourable socio-economical and political situations in our country. The State Treasury and the Bank were entirely looted by corrupt officials and senior figures of the former government. The scale of the mistakes and negligence of the former government was all too apparent. The former administration left behind a bankrupt country and a nation in limbo. The economy and public sector was about to fall apart, no government department was functioning as it should’ve been. The public morale was very low and the confidence in government was at its lowest point ever.

Re-gaining Public Confidence and Rebuilding the Country:

Immediately after President Ahmed Silaanyo came to power, he understood clearly unless he makes the necessary changes in the many areas where the Somaliland’s citizens were dissatisfied, it would be very difficult to regain the public confidence. One of the key priorities of the newly elected President was to win back the people’s confidence, trust and belief in the political system, in government as well as in the democratic system and social justice. He put together a Cabinet of all talents and exceptional abilities with strategic visions and a clear policy agenda. He came up with new policy initiatives, a new government with new priorities based upon an effective, responsive and transparent Cabinet.

He started to combat and reverse the corruption and mismanagement that set in during Rayal’s administration. He created a sort of contract between State & Citizens, based upon responsibilities as well as rights. He introduced many innovative ways of getting involving the mainstream of the society into development, politics and achieving of social objectives.

Looking back on the past two years that this government was in power, it is so far so good.  The way in which President Ahmed Silaanyo’s government has inspired the hope, expectations and life prospects of Somaliland people is undeniably a flash of the kind of cunning, quality and brilliance of leadership and statesmanship that we are unaccustomed to witnessing from any of Somaliland’s previous Presidents. The current government is only for 27 months in power, however, in different areas there are quite tangible and visible changes and improvements occurring; for example education, foreign policy, healthcare, agriculture, defence, transport and water supply. We are witnessing that every government department is developing and progressing at an amazingly fast pace.

The truth has to be told, the current Somaliland government has exceeded and outshined against all expectations. In a relatively short time, what the government of President Ahmed Silaanyo has achieved is very impressive and in reality far more than the entire period of President Riyale’s reigns. A sense of morality, ethicality, decency and simply fulfilling their national obligations and social responsibilities are the foundation and driving forces that makes this government so successful. The government of Somaliland Republic believes fully in exploring of all options (socio-economic and diplomatic advancement) to achieve its goals which best meets the needs and challenges facing the Somaliland people today.

Conclusion:

President Ahmed Silaanyo has both the motive and opportunity to look back with satisfaction into the performance and the results realized by his government during past two years. Somaliland citizens should understand the unfavourable circumstance in which this government started when they took the office, where they have come from and where they are now. We need also to see and recognize the undeniable progress in different fields and the substantial achievement this government has made in a relatively short time.

Without a doubt, President Ahmed Silaanyo is a visionary leader with comprehensive understanding of world politics, an inspirational leader who is a credible role model to emulate within the Horn of African region and beyond. With grace and impeccable judgment he leads our country into the right direction. He is a veteran politician hardened by experience, a national hero who never recoils from the enemies when the name and honour of his country and people are at stake. He is driven by patriotism, devotion to duty and sense of social responsibility. He is a leader with a Mission and Mandate who gives a Voice to a Voiceless Nation.

 

(The 2^nd Part of this Article is coming soon; INSHA ALLAH)

 

By: Architectural-Eng. Hussein Adan Igeh (Hussein Deyr)[UK]

 

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Tags: President Silanyo, Somaliland