Somalia going to polls after years of anarchy

[Gabbal]

As Somalis prepare for their first democratic elections since the fall of Siad Barre regime in 1991, many issues are occupying the minds of the protagonists for the presidency.

 

The Horn of Africa nation has had one of the worst intra-clan tensions in its chequered history since independence from Italy in 1960.

 

One of the candidates for the presidency, Mr Farah Addow, is conscious of the clan issue.

 

“For peace to permanently prevail in Somalia, all clans must be treated equally. If I win, all clans will designate their own members for appointment to government and the Cabinet,” he says.

 

After years in international sports leadership, Addow claims to have acquired requisite diplomacy that can propel Somalia to political and economic stability.

 

Unlike Kenya where the President appoints the Cabinet from Members of Parliament, in Somalia ministers are named from outside.

 

“I want to create justice and equality among all the clans because some clans have not been treated unfairly in the past. This has to stop because we all belong to one Somalia,” Addow, African Football Confederation (CAF) vice-presi- dent, says.

 

He says that for a Government to remain stable, all clans must not only be treated equally, but must be seen to be treated as such.

 

“Leaders must learn to fulfil promises they give the electorate. Leaders must be principled.”

 

He says that before taking up the presidency, his property will be audited. The audit will be conducted again at the end of his tenure to ensure he did not enrich himself at the expense of poverty-stricken Somalis.

 

Addow comes from the majority ****** clan, which has five sub-clans - Murnsade, Gaajel, Gugumdhabo, Mudulood and Habarbidir.

 

Another clan is Darood, with Marehaan, Harti and Ogadeen sub-clans. Other clans are Digilmirifle, Dir, Jareerweyne and Hamar.

 

Among the seven candidates for the presidency, Addow and Mohamed Omar Habab are from the Mudulood sub-clan.

 

Abdilkassim Salad Hassan, Abdulahi Ahmed Adow and Hussein Mohamed Aideed are also ******s, but from Habargidi sub-clan.

 

Abdirahman Jama Bare is a Darot Marehaan and Col Abdulahi Yusuf Ahmed a Darot ********* .

 

Addow is probably the most visible personality among the candidates, thanks to his involvement in sports administration in Somalia, East and Central Africa and Africa.

 

Besides being the president of Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa ) which he quit on May 18, and CAF vice-president, he is also the out-going president of Somali Football Association and Somalia National Olympic Committee.

 

Addow has broached the possibility of forming an alliance like the National Rainbow Coalition which handed Kanu its first electoral defeat since Kenya’s independence in 1963.

 

“We are still talking, and I better not go into details. But we are thinking along those lines.”

 

He thinks his United Somali Congress faction can forge links with other factions of like mind for purpose of winning the election.

 

Another sticking issue in his hands is the question of British Somalia, popularly known as Somaliland.

 

Somaliland obtained independence from Britain on June 26, 1960. However, they were united immediately Somalia got independence from Italy, the following month. At some stage, they seceded and formed what is today known as Somaliland.

 

Addow, however, wants them under one roof. “We have a common heritage. Our people are related by blood. We need integration.”

 

 

Source: East African Standard, May 28, 03