UN: On Puntland elections a rarety in Africa

[General Duke]

　United Nations Political Office for Somalia.

 

Jan. 9, 2009

 

Puntland, an autonomous region of Somalia, has just wound up its presidential election. Abdirahman Mohamed “Farole” won the presidential seat. Abdisamad Ali Shire became the Vice President. What is striking about this election is not the leaders elected. It is rare procedure and fairness this election took place in a country emasculated by decades of bloodshed and chaotic clan-based power struggle.

 

The election which was a rarity in character in Africa, let alone Somalia, has set an example of how democracy is at work in pockets of Somalia. It was peaceful. The nine contestants were satisfied with the result. The winners were heartily congratulated by the losers. The Puntlanders, who were relieved on the serenity of the election, welcomed the result.

 

Puntland is an autonomous region which accounts for one third of the Somali territory. After Somalia slipped into bloody civil war, the community leaders and the politicians of Puntland decided to cordon off the State from the deepening mayhem a decade and a half ago and called it Federal State of Puntland. It acquired its democratically elected local government and had three had three Presidents democratically elected since then. A lesson beneficial lessons needs to be learned from this by not only Somalia but the whole continent up by civil wars.