Puntland: Smooth transfer of power

[Nationalist]

Puntland: Smooth transfer of power

- Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 16:40

 

Garowe, 11.01.05 – In one of the most remarkable transfer of power, former President of Puntland State of Somalia Mohamed Abdi Hashi handed over the presidency to his successor Mohamud Muse Hirsi (Gen. Adde), President-Elect of Puntland State. Gen. Adde won the presidency here in Garowe on Saturday in one of the closest elections in Puntland winning 35 of the total aggregate votes cast.

 

 

So close it caught most people by surprise including the Gen. Adde himself as the election results had been announced by the Chairman of the Parliament. Moreover, the hopes of many of Hashi supporters were dashed at the realisation of Hashi failing to carry his own constituency.

 

When one examines as to how the votes were cast in the final leg of the election, a reading of a different kind transpires. What no one so far is able to explain is how 10 of the 14 MPs representing Sool went to Gen. Adde contrary to early projections that Hashi would carry his own constituency, if not other regions. Equally unexplainable is how 8 of the 11 MPs of Sanag also went to the General with Hashi only doing with 3 (diagram #2 shows how the votes were cast between the candidates).

 

 

Here, Sool and Sanag turned out to be the swing regions contrary to popular wisdom that Bari and Mudug traditionally perceived as the swing regions remained loyal to the last rounds. With 16 and 7 votes respectively going to Hashi, the forecast was that Hashi was to have had an away win, but unfortunately the golden striker sat on the terrace on this occasion.. Not surprising though was how all 9 votes from Nugal that earlier went to Abdirahman M Farole switched to Gen. Adde in the final leg as predicted. Statistically therefore, Gen. Adde secured 54% of the total votes cast whereas Hashi got a sizeable 46%.

 

 

Contrary to the rumours that Hashi never stood a chance to win, as circulated in some circles, the election results do not support that hypothesis: one that was conceived in a rather minuscule incubator. 46% of the aggregates votes cast as statistics would indicate is not a number to mock.

 

Hashi seen in Puntland and elsewhere as a man of vast wisdom and equally admirable leadership traits was tipped as the legitimate Head of State. Having served as the Vice President for the earlier 6 years, Hashi earned the trust of the people like no other leader in the past including Puntland’s first President, Abdillahi Yusuf. And as the President for the past three months, he solidified his position as a unifier and proved that he had what it took to lead and govern at the same time: a quality that not many in the political sphere are endowed upon.

 

His supporters still believe that Hashi was the right man for the Office, and Puntland will pay a hefty price in the long run for releasing him of his duties as the Head of State. Credibility and honesty are qualities attributed to him. A strong advocate of effective administration where institutions guide government policies, and government officials are held accountable, Hashi would have breathed life into Puntland having sustained its fair share of negligence and mismanagement of authority. Follows the law to the letter, Hashi is known as an ardent fighter against corruption and favouritism.

 

His critics however argue that Hashi was a man with narrow vision whose focus never wandered beyond his office. And while he fully appreciates the plight of the people and cognisant of turbulent times abound, he would prefer to retreat to a corner where he would have eventually been trapped ceasing to exist. A man of principles, ideals and great deal of skill in governance, but Hashi they argue is neither a visionary nor a hard-nosed politician. He would been the ideal man for a nation in merry times, it is said. But not for one in turbulent waters.

 

Hashi, one of the handful former leaders who can wander the streets of any major city in Puntland and elsewhere in Somalia, he may spend a few months in the political wilderness, but he is bound to rejoice his retirement should he choose to do so. Already displaying signs of political sensibility and popularity, he vowed to work with the new administration and serve the State in any way possible.

 

In his inauguration speech, President-Elect thanked his predecessor for his long service, unmatched leadership and most of all for his gamesmanship to the last minutes. Hashi on his turn reiterated his message: uphold the law and abide by its articles and resolutions.

 

Nonetheless, as Gen. Adde ascends to the reigns of leadership in Puntland, a task of great magnitude is at hand. While times are not as stern with the formation of Somali transitional federal government of which priority is to take charge in Southern regions of Somalia, his strategy to settle the border conflict in Sool will be his first litmus test. So far, he had shown good judgement in his first order of business: signalling a peaceful resolution to the conflict while also ordering the Treasury to see to the needs of the frontline troops.

 

As the years go by, let us hope by this time in three years time that the average person will have gone to the ballot box to cast his/her vote to elect the next Head of State. Let us also hope that Gen. Adde remains true to his campaign promises to strengthen State institutions, fight corruption, give priority to the upkeep of the State personnel and establishments, troops in particular, and most of all look closer at the concerns of the general public, social or otherwise.

 

 

 

Mohamed Aden Ali

 

gorayocawl@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

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To all the dimwits who will spread the bullshit that only a certain clan can rule Pland might better shut up before they disgrace themselves, such as garbage newspapers Jamhuriya and Ayamaha that are used on the floor to eat on.

Bari and Mudug, clearly not his constituencies voted massively for the former president Muhammad Abdi Hashi and Sool, Sanaag and Nugaal were overtly for the new president Gen Mahamud Muse Hirsi. Inshalah our new president Gen Adde Muse will fulfil his promises to the people of Pland.

[MR ORGILAQE]

Now that was informative without any rhetoric analysis good one nationalist

[General Duke]

The graphs were a nice touch.

[wind.talker]

My previous analysis was right on point: M.A. Hashi's loss was Nugaal (0 out of 9) and Sanaag (3 out of 11). Not surprising since he took their votes for granted, instead opting to campaign heavily in Bari (16 out of 21) and Mudug (7 out of 10) - both of which paid off in favor of him. Gen Adde Muuse got votes in EVERY region - something M.A. Hashi - with all his political wisdom and expertise - couldn't come up with.

 

The graphs are good though.

[Nationalist]

Do you lads think that Farole had planned this all along to pawn his Nugaal constituency into voting for him and if he doesn't make it, to vote for Gen Adde Muse. It's common knowledge that he hates Hashi with a passion, since Hashi tried to snatch the finance ministry from Farole as acting president. Farole made a comeback by a decree from Nairobi by then president Abdullahi Yusuf to undo the decision. So this must be his revenge.

[Som@li]

 

Nice graphs,Adde did better campaigning in most regions.

since Hashi tried to snatch the finance ministry from Farole as acting president. Farole made a comeback by a decree from Nairobi by then president Abdullahi Yusuf to undo the decision. So this must be his revenge.

Say sweet revenge,

[wind.talker]

NATIONALIST -

 

Nugaal wasn't going to vote for M.A. Hashi anyways. It was either abstain from the vote or vote for Gen Adde Muuse. The way I see it, M.A. Hashi took Nugaal votes for granted. President-elect Adde Muuse had an excellent campaign strategy - depicted by how he received votes in every region!