International Republican Institute (IRI) Opens Office In Hargeisa

[Suldaanka]

Hargeysa, Somaliland, June 21, 2008 (SL Times) – The International Republican Institute (IRI) officially opened on Thursday a new office in Hargeysa, the capital of Somaliland.

 

The International Republican Institute is a non-profit, non partisan organization dedicated to advancing freedom and democracy worldwide by helping to support civic institutions, open elections and good governance.

 

At a reception held at the Mansoor Hotel in Hargeysa attended by senior members of the Somaliland government, members of the Somaliland parliament, party officials, social activists, members of the press and other guests, the Speaker of the Somaliland parliament, Mr Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi welcomed the opening of the new IRI office in Somaliland.

 

In a his brief remarks at the ceremony, Speaker Abdirahman Mohamed stated that IRI has always played a significant role in the democratic development of Somaliland and by opening an office in the country has shown its support of the country's democratic credentials.

 

Speaker Abdirahman Mohamed concluded his remarks by pledging the support of the people of Somaliland towards IRI's efforts in the country, and encouraged the people of Somaliland to safeguard and maintain the stability which has made Somaliland a beacon of hope in a volatile region.

 

The IRI director for East Africa, Mr. Ted Levassiur also spoke at the ceremony to mark the opening of the new IRI office in Hargeysa. Mr.Levassiur outlined recent co-operation between Somaliland and IRI including the historic presidential and parliamentary lections in 2003 and 2005 respectively.

 

The opening of the IRI office in Hargeysa is seen by many as sign of further engagement between Somaliland and other international institutions.

 

The IRI’s office is located at the Maansoor Hotel.

 

Source: Qarannews

[STOIC]

Though I’m not a fan of a Republican party (and I dislike Mcain which by the way he is the chairman of this organization) I still think this is a great step towards fostering a democratic state; one that may help its citizen’s leaders to develop an informed consensus for law and policies. To govern a state requires much more than a superficial understanding of how democracy works. The citizen of the country needs to understand the civic education of their system. One of the democratic goals is to search for ways by which citizens can acquire the competence they need in understanding how their democracy works.

 

As a peripheral supporter of Somaliland state I can understand the hunger for understanding the rules that your government obliges you to obey. Somaliland today does have a conflicting sub-culture that may undermine democracy. It is the duty of its citizens to establish and maintain control over the power of their elected officials by the ballot box. There is a bigger opportunity here for Somaliland to have a great democracy as anything small is beautiful. Somaliland citizens will have the opportunity of understanding how to navigate the shoals by attaining a very high level of participation.

[Suldaanka]

^ very much right.

 

There is a long way to go in as far as democracy in SL is concerned. In particular the education of the leaders as well as the common person about how democracy works and should work. It is understandable though, knowing the fact that these people the only type of governance they experienced was either the dictatorship of Siyad Barre or a subsequent flavour of that regime's way of leadership.

 

It will take a long time till the leaders understand that they are accountable to the people and that the governance is not a private enterprise but a public institutions that belong to the people.

 

But as the Chinese say, a journey of thousand miles begins with a single step. Hopefully, SL will one day get to a stage where both the leaders and the people understand their obligations and work for the betterment of the country and the people.

[Peacenow]

The IRI has nothing to do with the US Republican party. It's a non-partisan organization. That's at least how it describes itself.

 

This is just the kind of development that should really be applauded. The concept of open society is integral to a successful switched on member of this globalized world.

 

Openness, transparency encourages citizen participation, makes for a more peaceful state and encourages outside foreign investment.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Republican_Institute

[Suldaanka]

In SOmaliland, Kulmiye Party is perhaps the most democratic and open and inclusive of them all parties. At least, that is what we have seen of them so far.

 

If they win the next elections and bring those values to the governance structures of the country, it will have a huge impact in the day to day lives of all the people.

 

Imagine, a government that is open about its accounts, is inclusive in its thinking process and policy making. A government which encourages freedom of the press and reacts to the concerns of the general public. That is a dream government that Somaliland is yearning for.

 

UDUB's shrewd and close-knit politics is not going to advance SOmaliland into what it really wishes to become in 20 or 30 years from now.

[AfricaOwn]

Originally posted by Suldaanka:

In SOmaliland, Kulmiye Party is perhaps the most democratic and open and inclusive of them all parties. At least, that is what we have seen of them so far.

 

If they win the next elections and bring those values to the governance structures of the country, it will have a huge impact in the day to day lives of all the people.

 

Imagine, a government that is open about its accounts, is inclusive in its thinking process and policy making. A government which encourages freedom of the press and reacts to the concerns of the general public. That is a dream government that Somaliland is yearning for.

 

UDUB's shrewd and close-knit politics is not going to advance SOmaliland into what it really wishes to become in 20 or 30 years from now.

You're putting too much trust on Kulimiye...I really hope they do win so we can see these "changes" happen.

[Member-sol-]

Illaahayo gaalada lugteey qaadan ba dhulka lagoo, dadkaas meeshas kulunsana xaqqa tus.

 

Allahum ameen.