We Need to Think Democratically to Believe in its Values

[Jacaylbaro]

It has taken democratic societies in the west centuries of struggle to accept, and perhaps to “internalize,” to some extent, certain democratic values. For example, since the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215, when a group of Barons forced King John of England to agree a charter of liberties, Britain went through historical events to reach its current democracy.

 

In fact, it has taken the “Britons” two civil wars, a beheading of one king and dethroning of another during the seventeenth century. In our Somaliland, “democratic values” do not seem to have reached that level of historical developments in which most ordinary members of any typical Somaliland society can consider as their guiding moral principles in their daily life. Although, freedom of expression, human rights seem to have internalized in Somaliland.

 

“Anaguna – politicians – waanu yaw yaw tanaa, idina – the public – nama dhaantaan oo waa na kala raacdaan” UCID Chairman Faisal Ali Waraabe said in 2005.

 

This is true, always the politicians fight over very simple political issue, which does not need such attention. For example, we are government of constitution and electoral system, but we always see the political parties fighting over Voter Registration. It is like mistrusting the system of our governance.

 

Societies and communities should trust their system, and in case of faults there should be discussions in the parliament to amend the faults. The parliament should not allow anybody to overstep and overlook the law and order in the country including the ruling party UDUB. Parliament is legislation authority and it’s main job is to monitor the executive authority “the government”.

 

The opposition parties got majority in the house of the parliament, which means they can control or monitor the government better. The parliament should play better role in the country and support democracy and freedom of expression. Today, the MPs should support the election commission to carry out election duties in the 12 regions, because they have easy access, as they are elected from these regions.

 

The parliament let the nation down, they don’t grill the government over its bad performance and even the parliament is unable to stop the government from committing violations against the constitution. It’s unfortunate to see the Parliament Speaker and a group of our MPs, visiting around the world, taking the role of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

In other hand, recently, brain washed citizens or tribes to reject the outcome of the election and disturb the security, if they don’t get the president post next election. They believe that president post is periodic between Somaliland tribes, and every tribe should wait its turn. This shows the prematurity of democracy in our country.

 

I understand the democracy is fresh and new to us, but if we don’t believe its values than democracy will not build up by its own. However, it is unfortunate to see our main political parties particularly KULMIYE and UDUB looking for support by the name of tribe. Last week, self appointed members joined KULMIYE, claiming they represent Subeer Awal tribe. They promised to bring the support of Subeer Awal to Kulmiye.

 

These members neither represent Subeer Awal nor have political weight in the tribe, and cannot win votes for KULMIYE. Instead, it humiliates our young democracy between international communities, who will take bad picture from Somaliland democracy as premature and need improvement.

 

 

About Election:

 

National Election Commission (NEC) failed to call the election on scheduled time, due to many reasons. First, NEC is not equipped well to carry out its duty; they don’t have regular offices in the regions and districts. Second, NEC failed in delimitation and demarcation process. Third, NEC estimation of 45 days to complete the voter registration is wrong and unrealistic.

 

Fourth, NEC suffered from pressure of opposition parties and interference of the government, which disabled NEC. As analyzer, I believe, the Former Chairman of NEC resigned due to these pressure and interferences. 45 days, is not enough to register 2.5 million people in an estimated area of 1500 kilometers square. We know, majority of the citizens in rural areas are nomads and cross in to Ethiopia, in search of rain and greenery. NEC should know that 70% of the voter registration process will take place in remote areas. So, the commission should be well prepared with pickup cars that can reach the mountainous regions in the east and other remote areas.

 

This election is very crucial, International Communities including African Union, UN, U.S. and Great Britain are all focusing on the election process and results. This election may decide the destiny of our country. At this point, we should not look into party and personal interest. We should all work towards holding the election as scheduled, because Assistant Secretary of U.S State Department for African Affairs, clearly highlighted that result of the next election will be important for U.S. decision on Somaliland.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Let us all work towards achieving our objectives in next three elections and show that world that we are enough to organize free and fair election in a democratic manner.

 

Allah bless Somaliland………….we all stand united

 

 

By Abdirahman Ahmed Ali

[Paragon]

Dimoqaraasi waa bool-shidh. Take it from me adeer .

[Jacaylbaro]

Waa la wada og yahay ,,