Experiences of a free and fair election in Somaliland

[Jacaylbaro]

One Saturday evening in May, I was in Shepherd Bush, West London, with a friend who is also the secretary of the Peace, Unity and Development Party (“Kulmiye Nabad, Midnimo iyo horumar”), Mr Ahmed Adare. He asked me if I wanted to do some work for the party, that they needed some videos produced to spread the word about their new policies - the message of change that was needed in Somaliland, he said.

 

My first instinct was not to answer right away, but to think about it and get back to him. While I was returning home that evening in a hot and packed Underground train, thoughts of my motherland came to me: of beautiful scenery, and delicious food. As soon as I was out of the Underground I texted Mr Adare to accept his offer, and to travel to Somaliland.

 

On 14 July I was on a flight from Heathrow airport to Dubai, and the next day flew from Dubai to Egal International Harges. My older brother came to pick me up at the airport, and said that it had been a major campaigning day. When we reached the town centre I saw big posters from all parties on the campaign trail, with messages like

 

“Xisbiga UDUB waa horseedka mustaqbalka dhalinyaradda”

 

with the Kulmiye one stating

 

“UDUB waa tagatsaaye ha tahriibin walaale.”

 

There was a party atmosphere in the town, cars were full of people, and loud music was everywhere.

 

I arrived at the Grand Crown Hotel and met its owner, Abdillahi Muse, who ordered a dish of camel which he said was as soft as a lamb. When I heard those words I suddenly remembered how hungry I was.

 

Next day I met up with Ahmed Adare at 5.30am. He told me that we were going to Tog Wajaale (also known as Wajaale) in the West of Somaliland, to start campaigning for Mr Mohmed Abdilahi, who was in charge of foreign affairs for the party. On the way we passed a beautiful farm amid the rolling countryside. Our first stop was Arabsiyo, which is known as a major farming area. It is also a resort town popular for special occasions such as weddings and Eid celebrations.

 

There was a big gathering and a warm welcome waiting for us, with people lined up on the street. You could see from their faces and hear from what they were saying that they wanted change. Our second stop was Tog Wajaale, a major hub city situated on the border between Ethiopia and Somaliland. It is now the busiest city linking the two countries. All cargo destined for Ethiopia from the port of Berbera goes through this strategic border city.

 

Ms Marayan Mohmed, a local resident who attended the election campaign rally, told me that she waited for more than six hours for the delegation to arrive. Then a flock dance began.

 

Next on the itinerary was Erigavo or Erigabo (Somali: Ceerigaabo), a long journey to a high mountainous area which the local road conditions made a nightmare. We crossed many towns and cities before reaching the Daallo and Surad mountains.

 

Both are popular as tourist destinations, offering scenic views, as does Mount Shimbiris, the highest peak in Somalia at 2,450 meters above sea level, and part of the Surud mountain range. A frequently quoted height of 2,416m is wrong – and it offers one of the greatest views you can ever witness.

 

At Erigavo the roads were full of people waiting for our delegation to arrive. And I had thought Somaliland was a small country!

 

The day after, on 26 June, we arrived at Somaliland’s second city, Burco, where we were offered fresh camel milk. Burco is famous for its animal market, which exports to the Middle East.

 

On the day of the election people started queuing outside polling stations from 7 am. I asked a young man who was waiting why he had to come so early. He said that it was a day he had been waiting eight years for, to see change, and that he wanted to express his wishes through voting.

 

I went in to almost all of the local polling stations, and saw long queues, with most of the people there being women who had even left their children at home to be able to come and cast their vote.

 

Most of the polling stations were opened on time. People in the queues discussed any and all topics under the sun - apart from who they were going to vote for, of course.

 

The day after the election day I left Burco for Hargeisa, passing through Berbera on the way for a few hours to enjoy the splendid beach, seeing as the temperature was 35 degrees.

 

In Hargeisa, the capital city, everyone was talking about who was going to win the election. The counting had started, but we would have to wait two weeks to know the final result. It was the longest fortnight I can remember.

 

Four days after the election I received an email stating that international observers had declared the elections in Somaliland to be free and fair and congratulated voters and election organisers in the autonomous state, which split from mainland Somalia in 1991. Progressio, a UK-based organisation with experience in international observer missions, said in a statement: "The elections seem to have met conditions for a free and fair expression of the popular will of the people of Somaliland.”

 

Voters also went to the polls to elect a new president, with incumbent Dahir Rayale running against three other candidates. That the vote count and tally would satisfy all the political parties involved was a key concern for the international observers.

 

The big day was on 1 July. It was 7.30pm and everybody in Somaliland was awaiting the results.

 

The Electoral Commission prepared to make the announcement. The main hall of the Monsur Hotel was full. The head of the Electoral Commission, Cise Yusuf “Xamari”, announced that the winner of 2010 presidential election in Somaliland was Mr Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, of the “Kulmiya” political party. His supporters erupted in celebration.

 

Few states on the African mainland – Benin, Senegal and Zambia – have seen incumbent presidents stand down after being defeated in elections. Unrecognised internationally as a separate state, Somaliland has developed its own democratic traditions without outside pressure.

 

The next morning, Somaliland woke up to a new government and a new leading political party. Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo had been a long-serving leader of the former Somali National Movement, and an active opposition leader in Somaliland for the last eight years. His journey to the presidency is considered to be a new path to freedom.

 

 

 

 

 

By Adam Dirir

Editor Somali eye Magazine London UK