Somaliland: Is This Democracy or Demo-clanism?

[Jacaylbaro]

Recent surge of clan based meetings in Somaliland territories have alarmed many peace loving citizens of this region. As many understand the yet to be recognized fragile democratic nation is soon to face a critical election season. Somaliland as an evolving nation went through a grand political transitional process.

 

The transition of moving away from traditionally governed nation to a formal democracy is one of the greatest political achievements in Somaliland. The transition which was originally initiated by the previous administration followed the set procedures and thanks god major elections were conducted and the people had a chance to participate in the historic political process that attracted the attention of the international community, thus the famous phrase “Somaliland Africa’s best kept secret”.

 

As I mentioned before these democratic institutions are still at their infancy stage and needs more of baby seating rather than demands for perfection. There are lots loopholes in the constitution which entails dialogue and compromise between the current administration, the elite individuals and political figures of this nation. The current administration maybe incompetent and have squandered many opportunities and mismanaged the meager national treasuries but all in all they managed to maintain law and order and kept all the government institutions running.

 

Coming back to my point of democracy requirements, I believe that we need to come out clear on what we really desire for this infant and fragile nation. Some would genuinely tell you that we need a change of the administration. Well that might be a great idea however the change need to come from the people and through the ballot box and never again through clandestine clan based meetings. It’s the people who voted for the referendum and overwhelmingly accepted the set democratic system the day they voted for the constitution. It’s not therefore fair and appropriate for power hungry politicians to brew a hybrid politics of“democlanism”.

 

It’s also unfortunate that the elite individuals are tolerating this type of confusion that could derail the stability and democratic maturity of this lucky region. It’s clear that Somaliland is at a crossroad, and there is a crucial need for national dialogue and not clan based meetings and counter meetings. It’s high time that the nations politicians, traditional leaders, and elite groups within and overseas to come up with a marshal plan which will solve current political and trade impasses with most important being ways to ensure and guide a free and fair upcoming elections.

 

Clan based politics empowers aristocracy and dictatorship. This is clear from a recent clan based meeting somewhere in the eastern part of Somaliland where some of the clan members were restrained from participating and when they organized their own they were labeled as clan traitors. This is where one wonders if really Somaliland is to be stable prosperous whom do the citizen pledge their loyalty to. Is it the clan or the nation?

 

This region being just like any other Somali inhabited regions consists of diverse Somali clans therefore it’s difficult and risky to have both, and still co-exist as united Somaliland. At the same time it was unfortunate that the mentioned meeting was attended by some prominent ambitious politicians who understand the nation’s constitution in its defense for freedom of speech, association and gathering. None of them mentioned that everyone has the right of speech and gathering just like the one they were enjoying at that particular clan meeting..!

 

My question is, how could we then trust such figures to uphold and abide by the constitution if they are elected to highest office of this nation?

 

 

By:

Abdirahman (Dhunjoog)

[AfricaOwn]

That meeting was wrong in so many levels. I don't know what they were thinking. SL doesn't belong to them alone.

[Jacaylbaro]

What do you mean it was wrong ? and what is it different from the other meetings held early this year ??

[AfricaOwn]

They had a clan based convention this is wrong no matter how you slice it, and I don't know about the other meetings...

[Jacaylbaro]

Well, then you should know about the other meetings before you judge this.

 

For me all is wrong but this was expected to have more impact than the others. Thank God it ended with a final declaration contains some good points.

[AfricaOwn]

I don't follow the happenings of these meetings like some..This meeting in particular was just in the news lately that's why I know about it. Meetings like these shouldn't be happening at all. This is a set up for all of us.

 

Tell us about the other meeting you were talking about.

[Jacaylbaro]

Similar meetings held elsewhere in the country. They were on the news too but not more than the recent one. The difference is so obvious though.

 

But they usually end up with almost the same declaration ......

[Saqajaan]

"Somaliland" politics is clan politics masquerading as democracy. You lot are not fooling anyone. Each of the three 'parties' are are nothing more than clan parties supported by the clans they represent. Silaanyo by reer burco, udub by reer hargeisa etc.

[AfricaOwn]

Originally posted by Saqajaan:

"Somaliland" politics is clan politics masquerading as democracy. You lot are not fooling anyone. Each of the three 'parties' are are nothing more than clan parties supported by the clans they represent. Silaanyo by reer burco, udub by reer hargeisa etc.

You named only two...what about Ucid? Who are they supposed to represent?

[Saqajaan]

Ucid represents the *******. Just look at the leaders of each group, or in udub's case those behind the scenes.

 

[ August 17, 2008, 02:48 PM: Message edited by: Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar ]

[Jacaylbaro]

and who are reer Burco and reer Hargeisa ???

[AfricaOwn]

Originally posted by Saqajaan:

Ucid represents the garxajis. Just look at the leaders of each group, or in udub's case those behind the scenes.

Who's behind Kulmiye's scenes? Do you know them? Are they all "Reer Burco"?

[AfricaOwn]

Originally posted by J.a.c.a.y.l.b.a.r.o:

and who are reer Burco and reer Hargeisa ???

His silly...by his logic I am a supporter of Faisals party.

[Jacaylbaro]

loooooooooool

 

Ignorance 100%

[Saqajaan]

The truth is difficult to handle. You can deny deny deny as clinton said, but it's still the truth.