Election mood in Somaliland

[Jacaylbaro]

The ruling party in Somaliland, UDUB and the two opposition parties—Kulmiye and UCID—are preparing for local elections slated to take place in April. Each party is using a campaigning strategy that is unique. Angry about UDUB’s claim that Somaliland forces' capture of Las Anod, capital of Sool region, is down to the leadership of president Dahir Rayale Kahin, UCID chairman Faisal Ali Warabe said that Sool people had made their choice without UDUB. “President Rayale has nothing to do this the choice of Sool people, “he told his supporters recently.

 

Kulmiye, a party led by the former Somali National Movement chairman, Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, has begun to campaign in Hargaisa, UDUB’s powerbase. Last week about 600 ‘pro-change’ members of Habar Awal sub clan convened at a Hargaisa hotel to pledge their allegiance to Kulmiye leader, Ahmed Silanyo. It was the first meeting of its kind held in Hargaisa since political parties were established to buttress Somaliland’s image as a country that managed the transition from shir beeleed (clan conferences) to a multiparty system.

 

Five years ago, Kulmiye party leader distanced himself from a group of traditional leaders who'd called for a clan meeting in Hargaisa. Ahmed Silanyo made a brief speech at the ‘pro-change’ meeting in which he reassured supporters about his party’s policy of working on the unity of people in Somaliland.

 

UDUB party leaders have always criticised Kulmiye party for failing to rise above clan politics. Before last week’s meeting the UDUB criticisms about Kulmiye party were regarded as an exercise in political mudslinging. The ruling party’s sales emphasises inter-clan solidarity as a basis for Somaliland multi-party system whereas Kulmiye’s sales pitch stresses the need for a change. Appealing to clan sentiments to broaden its powerbase raises many questions about the forthcoming Somaliland local elections.

 

 

© 2008 Somali Press Review