Arrest of violaters of the Constitution late but right action to safeguard the law

[Jacaylbaro]

Arrest of violaters of the Constitution late but right action to safeguard the law and national constitution

 

The news of the arrest of the chairman and vice-chairman of Qaran is not a surprise

to us. In fact we see the Somaliland authorities were too late to take action as

Qaran embarked in an action that is a gross violation and disregard for the law of

the country which will not allow more than the three existing parties.

 

What differentiates people and countries one from another is how they value their

laws uphold them. Without laws nothing can work in the world and for the laws to

work, they must be followed.

 

The leaders of Qaran did not show any objection to the constitution when they

participated in the competition to qualify for a place in the national political

scene. They got the opportunity but the law allows only three parties and the three

parties that got the most votes win the three positions allowed by the constitution.

But excuse me, what has changed now? The constitution is the same and it has to be

respected and followed. No problem to ask explanation or a legal opinion from the

constitution court or seek amendment of the constitution through the proper route

but no one has the right and allowed to violate the constitution or behave like it

does not exist. Violating the constitution is a crime that is punishable by law. Let

me just say that we were watching what the authority will do about this test (fitnah

or mihnah), because it is in fact a fitnah, and the fitnah is worse than anything

else. That is why Allah (s.w.t) said in the holy Qruan

‘The fitnah is more destructive than killing’. It is the fitnah and the disregard

for law and order that broke up the great Somali Republic that Somaliland was a

part of, which was a power to be reckoned in the region.

 

For those who may defend the action of these men, whether they are from the public

or from the political parties, they have to know that they have to understand the

matter is not personal or factional for that matter. But respect for the law and the

order and the national constitution of the country, are something that need to be

safeguarded. Allowing disregarding the constitution means breaking up the system,

and if the system breaks nothing will work. Just look at your neighbor, to take a

lesson!

 

Was the arrest against law?

 

According to what we know, the leaders of Qaran were issued a warrant to close their

offices as the constitution will not allow a fourth political party and stop the

political campaign they were engaged. That warrant was ignored and therefore the

arrest and closure of offices are legal. So for those who say this action is not

constitutional, they should tell us how it is not? Do they have a version of the

constitution that we do not have? Why people are not truthful or support what is

right? Those of us who were saying few months ago, the law has to be followed when

asked about the question of Qaran opening offices, and are now saying something

totally different that is what damages ones credibility. We must not be looking at

people for who they are but at what they do. We must judge at the action and our

position and opinion about matters must be based on principle and following the

process. The question you have to ask yourself is: Will the

constitution allow for the establishment of a fourth (national) political party?

Does the constitution of the country allow, the establishment of political parties

without license? Did Qaran apply for a license to open offices in cities in

Somaliland and did it get one? The answer to these questions, I believe, is no. So

where the misunderstanding is coming from? We must stand up for the safeguarding of

the constitution, because that is where the interest of the country rests. If you

do not respect the law of the country, you will end up without one! Do not play

with fire.

 

For those who may denounce this action:

 

Let us be rational. Yes, Mr. Gabose and Mr. Hashi had the right to seek office, but

they must follow the law. As I mentioned earlier they must come in to the house from

the front door. Every people make laws for themselves to organize their affairs. In

my country, Canada, which is a democratic country, I cannot just go and open a

political party without a lisence. Forget about a political party, I cannot even do

business if I have no license. There is a system that must be followed.

 

Qaran needed a license first. That was the first thing to get before starting

opening offices. Of course we know that they cannot get a license because the

constitution of the country will not allow more than three parties and there are

already three parties in existence. So there is one of the following options in

front of them:

 

Join one of the three parties like the other parties that did not qualify did

Seek an amendment of the constitution to allow more than three parties, following

the proper route.

Understand that you had your chance and tried but you were not successful and

therefore you must accept that fact.

If the law will not allow you to have a political party, that does not mean, you

have to say hell with the law. I don’t care about the law that does not give me what

I like. I need to have a political party and I am going to have one regardless what!

That is not how things work. There was a (valid) reason to limit the number of

political parties. But regardless, there is nothing wrong to try and seek an

amendment for the constitution, just do not defy it. Because if you defy it you

break it and if you break it, you will have nothing to run for!

 

It’s the laws and how it respects and abides by these laws that measure the level of

advancement of a society and place of men in their society.

 

We fully support the action the authority had taken, even though we believe this

matter must have been dealt with months ago. But lastly the authority had acted and

taken an action and that is what matters right now. No one is above the law. That is

something everyone must know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mohieddin Issa

Toronto, Ontario, Canada