Who is in charge of Somaliland?

[Liqaye]

I ask the somalilanders not to get offended as these are pertinent questions facing all somalis

 

Abstract

The author visits the recent Somaliland events and points out the failures of the current government. He gives few examples and portrays the evidences with pictures. The heart of the discussion are few key members of this government who lost the main picture by getting very busy with trying to discredit high profile members of Somaliland public. The author encourages the public to keep and strengthen the law and order, and not to look back to the events of 1990s which are being encouraged by. Indication is also given to the opposition parties that they should stand for constructive opposition rather than destructive. The article finally gives recommendations of how to restore public confidence if this leadership is to finish its five year term.

 

Overview

The recent Somaliland election had left scar and deep rooted suspicions among Somalilanders. There is no doubt in my mind that the current problems have at least to do with them up to some extent. Feeling is that the country had been held for ransom and entire security had been compromised. What astonishes me is the philosophy of some people who, because of their insecurity and lack of positive track record in their background, are busy with baseless arguments, negative attitudes, and hypocritical judgments. Is this cynical attempt to divert attention of the public from the failures and secrecy of this administration? The minister recently went to Djibouti on supposedly an official visit; can he say what the aims and objectives of this visit were? Let everyone be informed that civil-war is over for good and the dark days will never came back to Somaliland. We wan to move forward and have every right to share peace and prosperity among our world citizens today.

 

The current government is unfit to govern and it does not have mandate anyway. Number of its ministers failed to find ratification through the parliament. To everyone’s amazement, these ministers are still in office. Others are busy with cheap insults on high profile members of the public. Some lost any sense of direction in the midst of chaos administration. Some will get furious if the words “CV, Background or crime” are mentioned. Some got there because they hate others. All that cost dear to the nationhood of Somaliland and the very survival of the public. Unless complete political restructure including effective reshuffle, scrutiny and reformation of judicial bodies and house of elders (Guurti) take place immediately, and some of the notorious figures are pushed aside to take the back seats, public confidence to politics will continue to decline, those who do not understand how we came about to this stage will continue to disappoint us. And Somaliland dreams will be in jeopardy.

 

Introduction.

Somaliland will be 13 years old within months. Without any doubt, it passed through lots of hurdles and difficulties. Although, in principle, I have always been passionate about the self-determination of Somaliland and its wonderful people to stand as a separate entity and claim whatever they deserve including full recognition, I never stop wondering whether Somaliland leaders really practice what they preach. Recent events in Somaliland play into the hands of those who oppose Somaliland and they encourage internal political dogfight. Lat me share few thoughts of mine with an evidences that will stare in the face of the current incompetent and insecure Somaliland administration.

 

It is certainly easier to be in any position than to fulfil what that very position is all about. In other words, it is simple to be a minister in any authority not least the one led by Mr Riyaale. What is challenging however is to recognise and fully implement your key responsibilities. There is no moral power in the camp of the current Somaliland government. You can not rule when the distinct moral authority is missing and the combination of guilty feelings, suspicions and lack of visions are dangling overhead. They are all over the place and everyone is saying whatever they want whenever they want to. The fear is that law and order collapses any time. There are more fully armed pick-up trucks to simply secure their security than serving the safety of the general public in Hargeysa and other towns. Are we not copying the style of that dictator who ruled Somalia for over two decades? Who are they afraid of? Why can’t we repair Hargeysa roads for funds that go untraced or indeed traced unjustifiably? I can continue questions to multiply, but who do I expect answers from? They are very busy on looking back their shoulders. They feel they have to first discredit those who are respected more, who can identify their weaknesses and challenge them. As a result, their tasks and responsibilities are forgotten and the public is bewildered.

 

The following is supposed to be Sheikh Bashir secondary school science Lab.

 

 

Burao is the second capital city of Somaliland and its education or public services, in general deserves better than this. The capital is also not doing any much better any way. Health, education, security and public roads, wherever you look, you would be disappointed.

 

The clean, big villas and mansions you see today in the towns of Somaliland are owned privately. These buildings and nice cars will not do a thing for the orphan children in the streets of Hargeisa, Burao or Borama. They need basic education and welfare. With the current Somaliland income, if spent honestly and wisely.

 

That is affordable.

 

Security situation worsening by the day.

The recent killing of foreigners who came to help us in the areas we are in need most, like health and education is just a tip of an iceberg. Why don’t you share the following pictures with me? I am sure they will ring a bell if you are follower of the recent Somaliland events.

 

 

This woman has been assassinated while serving and actively helping children in Borama, Somaliland. She was respected figure in the area she was assassinated simply because of her continued humanitarian work. It is still not clear to the reason behind this brutal killing and nobody is charged for it as yet.

 

 

Mr Eyeington was also shot in his home in Sheikh Somaliland. Until his killing, he served as the head of Sheikh secondary school. Again nobody is charged for this killing.

 

 

 

Mr Jaamac was senior officer of one of the government institutions and he was

 

Also only recently shot in front of his house in Hargeisa in a bright daylight. Nobody is detained for this crime and still not clear if the reason for this killing is known or indeed if anyone will ever be charged. It is worth mentioning that relatives of Mr. JAMA refused to for lack of speedy progress on the investigation of the case. Is it coincidence that all these prominent figures come to politically sensitive and tragic end of their lives in such a short period after the elections with the unpopular result? Of course, they died on their days and nobody could delay or extend their lives, but we are talking about the sense of insecurity and chaos situation we suddenly plunged into. Innocent women and children are thrown out because they don’t belong to Somaliland and that will improve Somaliland security. That’s not the right way to do it. We are being hysterical. We are breaking both international and Somali codes of practices here. Others were detained because they belong to ONLF. They are Somali people and if we do not want them in Somaliland, and there is no crime they committed inside our country, then they should be free to go wherever they want to. If their basic human rights are violated, then that is not in my name! Let’s respect the values of our grandfathers. Our grandfathers respected their guests. Values and heritage should not be thrown away for small and invisible interests. We can always improve our relationship with Ethiopia with bilateral respect and common interest. Our relationship with Ethiopia must be based in mutual contacts that serve both nations for the positive.

 

We are not born yesterday.

The recent Somaliland election had left scar and deep rooted suspicions among Somalilanders. There is no doubt in my mind that the current problems have at least to do with them up to some extent. The reader is also invited to read the report by the African rights about the result of this referendum. You can always check the discussions of those who used to be in the camp of this administration but left them after their intelligence and moralities were insulted. The feeling is that the country had been held for ransom and entire security had been compromised. The public deserves better as they had done more than their fair share. They lost a huge amount of their wealth and lives to come this far. In other words, they struggled with the former regime, brought it down and freed their country with their hands without any external support. The current administration is not up for the challenges. What we are witnessing today in the ground is the process of trying to remove history from the land, so that no traces of what happened are to be found. Some of the recent events of Somaliland are really testing our patience. Examples are the treatment of the most respected people in the hands of those who would get nowhere until they discredit others. Raqiya Oomaar does not need publicity to inform others who she is and where she came from or what she does. Her CV which is readily available not least from international organizations says all. Or we all know who she is anyway. She is well known human rights campaigner who loves her country. It has been reported that the minister who called her a dropouts acknowledged and apologized to her. But the government did not take any action against him. You would not be surprised then, if the public assume that this is the official line of this administration. Or you can rightly ask yourself if they have an official line of leadership at all. Is this genuine apology anyway? Genuine apology must be followed by correction of oneself, because one recognizes his/her mistake then they should never be in a similar situation again. Let’s wait and see. Another plunder is the recent attack by the minister of finance to the well respected figure. He claimed Abdikadir Koosaar and Adan shiine were assassinated by Siilaanyo and he said this without any proof. We recognize he is a citizen of Somaliland and he is entitled to his opinions. What he is not entitled to, as a Somaliland minister, is to say whatever he wants whenever he wants. He is ought to be corrected that he is making serious allegations against the leader of Somaliland opposition party, who almost become our president in the last election. To the minds of a lot of the majority of the public, he is a man of principles and integrity. in the past and present, one of the key engineers of Somaliland. Everybody’s record is there and we are not born yesterday. It has been reported that other members of this government were appalled with these accusations and they said that is his personal opinion. Again, if there is no public apology to this, then that is the voice of this administration. Somaliland minister for finance! Where was he when these things happened? And what evidences has he got to substantiate his allegations? Hang on; does he understand or care that he has to substantiate his allegations? May be the answer lies where the minister was and what he did at the time. There are others who had same mission for hatred, but were not as lucky as him for they did not get this ministerial position and as a result went back to where they came from empty-handed. It looks like they will be traveling from UK and be pushing to take wasted opportunity this time. The minister recently went to Djibouti on supposedly an official visit; can he say what the purpose of the visit was? Can he at least say the agenda for the visit? Would the reader consider this question answer that was interchanged by the president of Djibouti and IRIN?

 

IRIN: What about your relations with Somaliland which is your immediate neighbor?

President Geele of Djibouti: It (Somaliland) is going the same way as the south – there are now fundamentalists who want to destabilize the situation. Unless the south is stable, Somaliland cannot be stable, contrary to what they think… And of course we support a united Somalia. We cannot allow ourselves to advocate secession. Would the reader now ask; is this view shared by this Somaliland administration? If they don’t, one would expect their response. It is ironic that we await solutions from those who opposed the interests of this nation one or two decades ago. Please don’t jump to a conclusion that I mean president Riyaale.

 

What astonishes me however is the philosophy of some people who, because of their insecurity and lack of positive track record in their background, are busy with baseless arguments, negative attitudes, and hypocritical judgments. Sometimes it is very disturbing indeed. Of course, for the short term. Those who come to Somaliland politics lately and hope they can repeat events of early 1990s for their own benefit are making grave mistakes by not only wasting their time but indeed risking their names ending up in dark chapters of history. Let everyone be informed that civil-war is over for good and the dark days will never came back to Somaliland. We wan to move forward and have every right to share peace and prosperity among our world citizens today. All Somaliland must unite under one honest and capable leadership. And that leadership, with regard to the evidence in front of our eyes and to my personal assessment is not the current system. The current government is unfit to govern and it does not have mandate anyway. A number of its ministers failed to find ratifications through the parliament. To everyone’s amazement, they are still in office. Others are busy with cheap insults of high profile members of the public. Some lost any sense of direction in the midst of chaos administration. Some will get furious if the words “CV, Background or suspicion for a crime” are mentioned. Some got there because they hate others. All that cost dear to the nationhood of Somaliland and the very survival of the public. This is not to say there is no one single decent man or woman within the current Somaliland administration.

 

Conclusions and Recommendations.

The honeymoon period for this government is over. As far as the internal security problems are concerned, urgent actions are needed to remedy the situation. The answer may not be more armed people in the streets of major towns or indeed the presidential place, but rather identifying the sources of situations that stimulate lack of confidence and as a result lack of respect for the whole system. We need transparency and accountability in the public sector. We need to further investigate and at least know about the alleged of crimes of the past and the present. Politicians who can not be an example for the public should not be appointed for high profile posts. Representation is also crucial so Somaliland parliamentary elections must be held without any delay. Opposition parties must realize they stand for constructive opposition but not pointing out every weakness of the government to a political goal score. This should not be a game of cat and mouse. If there is to be any chance for this government to finish its five year term, then this leadership must rethink and reverse its recent performances and presentations. They must act quicker to respond and face to its responsibilities. President Riyaale must speak to the public more for the direction of his leadership or if he can not face the public and present himself, he should at least inform his ministers not to step the mark. I would be the first to support and acknowledge any positive contribution to this nation. Unless complete political restructure including effective scrutiny, reformation of judicial bodies and house of elders (Guurti) take place immediately and some of the notorious figures take the back seats, public confidence to politics will continue to decline. Those who do not understand how we came about to this stage will continue to disappoint us. And Somaliland dreams will be in jeopardy, and it won’t be long when we ask ourselves: Who is in charge of Somaliland?

 

 

[AYOUB]

I ask the somalilanders not to get offended as these are pertinent questions facing all somalis

No offense taken, that was a very honest piece of writing. Somalilanders should take time to reflect on some of those points.

 

Couple of things I might add is - although I don't see it in this article - most political pieces written by Somaliladers can be classified into what 'political party' they seem to support, and the ruling party is very uncomfortable with the tag 'Siad's boys and girls'.

[General Duke]

Who's in charge of Somaliland? Simple Ismael Cumar Ghele is.

[Gabbal]

Who's in charge of Puntland?

 

Could it be Meles Zenawi? :rolleyes:

[General Duke]

Horn, dear brother, it seems you mistake Puntland for Xeerare or Xeerale, we have a strategic alliance with Ethiopia shame about your strategy, Abdiqasin is finished and so is the come back of Afweyne's family

[LANDER]

What about your relations with Somaliland which is your immediate neighbor?

President Geele of Djibouti: It (Somaliland) is going the same way as the south – there are now fundamentalists who want to destabilize the situation. Unless the south is stable, Somaliland cannot be stable, contrary to what they think… And of course we support a united Somalia. We cannot allow ourselves to advocate secession.

We should definitely keep Djibouti at arms lenght, they are no different from our foes in their governments stance towards Somaliland. Riiyaale should explain the goals behind his visits to Djibouti.

[Libaax-Sankataabte]

Riiyaale should explain the goals behind his visits to Djibouti.

Lander, saxib Riyaale's midnight trips across the border are a mystery to many. You are not alone.

[AYOUB]

The secrecy by Somaliland and Djibouti officials is creating a lot suspicion. Maybe its just they don't want Ethios to know how 'close' their relation is, but they still need to answer the opposition's allegations and rumours growing about Riyaale's investments in Djibouti. At the same time Somalilanders must remember Geelle allowed a lot of our livestock to exported to Saudis from Djibouti and maybe the secrecy is in our interest. Even if we give Riyaale's officials the benefit of the doubt the 'no comment' policy on this issue is not working and their attempt to gag 'the press' while the attention is on Las Canood should be stopped.

 

Here is what I agree with most from the article:

 

The clean, big villas and mansions you see today in the towns of Somaliland are owned privately. These buildings and nice cars will not do a thing for the orphan children in the streets of Hargeisa, Burao or Borama. They need basic education and welfare. With the current Somaliland income, if spent honestly and wisely That is affordable.

 

We need transparency and accountability in the public sector. We need to further investigate and at least know about the alleged of crimes of the past and the present. Politicians who can not be an example for the public should not be appointed for high profile posts. Representation is also crucial so Somaliland parliamentary elections must be held without any delay. Opposition parties must realize they stand for constructive opposition but not pointing out every weakness of the government to a political goal score. This should not be a game of cat and mouse. If there is to be any chance for this government to finish its five year term, then this leadership must rethink and reverse its recent performances and presentations. They must act quicker to respond and face to its responsibilities. President Riyaale must speak to the public more for the direction of his leadership or if he can not face the public and present himself, he should at least inform his ministers not to step the mark. I would be the first to support and acknowledge any positive contribution to this nation. Unless complete political restructure including effective scrutiny, reformation of judicial bodies and house of elders (Guurti) take place immediately and some of the notorious figures take the back seats, public confidence to politics will continue to decline.

[Gabbal]

SmithNwestern

 

we have a strategic alliance with Ethiopia shame about your strategy

Yet you were so keen to establish yourself as a supporter of the liberation of Somali territories, starting with Somali Galbeed which is stepped upon by Beer-Laawe's savior Meles Zenawi. What is shame is your strategy.

 

and so is the come back of Afweyne's family

Ilahay ha kuu naxariisto. Nac nac habar baa loodaayay. Beer-laawe is a lone duck sitting between hungry hounds. Chances are no chances for what you pray to God for everyday No chance of ever going down the southern belt too bro

 

On another note, if Afweyne's family ever had niyad for a political slice, their leaders would not be sitting where they are.