Policy failures in Somalia conflict + Somaliland's Recognition is Top Priority

[Jacaylbaro]

Somalia has been in a state of hopeless conflict for many years (Somali refugees speak of horrific war crimes, May 7). The current US-led war on terror approach is creating a space in which extremist groups such as al-Shabab have become legitimate political actors, while policy failures have enabled the local insurgency to find support and develop recruitment bases. These include aerial bombings, support for the Ethiopian troop presence, and the badly timed terrorist designation of al-Shabab.

 

The international community must work with the prime minister, Nur Hassan Hussein, and the UN representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, both of whom have made singular efforts at genuine peace and stability amid high levels of corruption and self-interest. As the president cannot claim a similar contribution, his intransigence must be neutralised and his replacement supported internationally.

 

A top priority is recognition for Somaliland. The semi-autonomous region is a shining example of the Somali potential for stability. International actors need to recognise its achievements as an independent administration and reward them accordingly.

 

Its success should be promoted as a model for peace for Somalia's future.

 

 

Paul Burton

Director of policy analysis, Senlis Council

 

 

Source: The Guardian

[Thankful]

Somaliland.org

Is there a problem between Opposition Parties and Dahir Riyale or has the President Changed Coats from a Democratically Elected President to a Deaf Dictator?

 

 

Every time a glimmer of hope shines and all agree on conflict resolution, it is Riyale who turns around and says no to it. So let the chips fall where they may. Let’s call a spade a spade. There is no problem in Somaliland except one: Riyale who refused to leave office at the end of his term. Who else accept him is the problem? Opposition parties and the society do not want him to stay after May 15th simply because his term of office ends. This president is proving to be difficult for a) ignoring the constitution b) disregarding any form of conflict resolution and c) turning the blame elsewhere. Today he is bringing to court the driver of the young girl his police killed without cause. This tactic of beating the innocent is his way of diverting attention and blame.

 

 

 

Now the Peace Academy took over the conflict resolution that everyone else failed to achieve. How is the Peace Academy different from the patent Mr. Abdulrahman Cirro? Perhaps, he feels the Peace Academy will fulfil his wish. Trust me as soon as they try to resolve the problem, he will say no. We have seen many conflicts created by his deafness that even the best of the Somali scholars got involved and failed. Does he listen to anyone? Today Awil ran in every direction like a headless chicken yet he refused to negotiate. So did he call the opposition to dictate his terms to them if he was not going to listen to equal partner negotiation. His only tactic is to pass the deadline. Please do not listen to him and do no meet him again. Start wokring to oust him out of office.

 

To keep this president even for a day after his term is over is very dangerous and detrimental to the country.

 

 

 

If through negotiation, we allow him to remain for another year we are taking the path of destruction. Igal has set precedence for Riiyale and this is the footpath Riiyale is threading on even thought that was before the Constitution. Now with a Constitution, how can we put informal negotiations over constitutional right? If we allow this president who does not have any reason to remain in office to have his way then we shouldn’t have constitution at all. We should get ready that come April 2009, we will be in the same situation if Somaliland exists that long. Riyale listens to no body, so what guarantees do we have he will leave peacefully after a year. Those who believe so should think again that by then there may not be Somaliland presidency to fight over or constitutional articles to worry about.

 

 

 

Don’t give him the long robe to strangle Somaliland. He has already strangled the constitution of the country which is the path to our free nation. Do not give him the opportunity to remain in office and suffocate us? Is Dahir Riyale a man to be trusted? Somali Landers do not know what he has done for the country. Nothing about his actions is transparent. He has proven to be ruthless with the citizens. He gives deaf ears to the road to conflict resolution which is the one think that many Somali Landers boast has saved our country. So if he broke the constitution that has become our road to democracy, if he has given deaf ear to the conflict resolution that has brought us out of darkness and is busy only on his vision of remaining in office and dealing with the public brutally, then what evidence does anyone has that he will be loyal to our country and he will leave the office peacefully after a year. Nothing he shows us point to a merit of a man who honours his word. Somali Landers is warned. Fight him to leave office. Forget peaceful means. Arrini madax la qabtay leedahay ee mijo la qabto ma laha. Bite the bullet and take the bull by the horns. Oust him by force.

 

 

 

It he succeeds in the office after May 15th. Let everyone know that he holds the office by dictatorship and there is no democracy in Somaliland. Anyone who believes otherwise is deluding himself. That will be Goodbye Democracy, Welcome Dictatorship!

 

 

 

Rhoda A. Rageh

[Lois Lane]

Jacaylbaro,

 

Since Riyaale's term is over, what is next? When will elections happen if any

 

(asking you...since you seem to be the press rep. for that part of the country )

[Jacaylbaro]

It will happen soon IA ,,,,, it is nothing more than a lil bit political rag tag ,,,,,

 

I might win some positions at the time ,

[Thankful]

Extending your term by one year for no reason, refusing to honor your democracy is just a "lil political rag tag". You tell the international community that, to the world hearing the word democracy is what they love most. I guess that's how's it's done in tribal enclaves through.

[AfricaOwn]

Originally posted by somalipride:

Extending your term by one year for no reason, refusing to honor your democracy is just a "lil political rag tag".

He didn't extend his own term. The House of Guurti of Somaliland have done it. And there is reason why they decided on that...coming from where you from has a little to do with it. Get a clue now

[Jacaylbaro]

loooool ,,, i think you've the answer now ,,

[Thankful]

He didn't extend his own term. The House of Guurti of Somaliland have done it

The House of Guurti is UNELECTED and have very close relations with Riyaale. I'm just saying this is not some small little issue, I guess you have no clue the repercussions internationally you'll have by extending a term by 1 year for no reason.

 

Is There A Similarity Between Dahir Riyale and Mugabe?

 

 

Nearly all African societies suffer from not only ineffective governments but Presidents who refuse to leave office who throw their countries into civil war and almost always destroy their societies. Somaliland stood out as a society that has deviated from the known path until now. Somaliland is not Zimbabwe and the two societies are profoundly different in their ethnic composition.

 

However, recently Somali and Zimbabwe seem to have found convergent similarities. Mugabe refused to leave office after a highly publicized election and after a solemn promise to accept the outcome without a fight, but he emerged four days after the election and said ‘no’ to every road to peaceful exit. In Somaliland Dahir Riyale was busy for the past few years stalling every move to register voters. He did not want the country to vote and not trusting the people did not want them to vote him out of office.

 

As the days leading to his exit approached, he asked the NEC to write a letter postponing the timeline of the elections which would give the Guurti (House of Elders) the weapon to fight for him. NEC refused to break the law but Riyale’s Guurti extended the term of office for him and broke the laws that keeps all of them in place. Likewise, Mugabe, after he lost the election, scolded his entourage for not watching the vote carefully and compelled them to agree with him. Riyale and Mugabe’s similarities end here.

 

Mugabe is an old man. He spent more than 10 years in the wilderness fighting the white occupation. In short he found Zimbabwe. When he recently said in an interview ‘Mugabe is Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe is Mugabe.’ It might be true that sadly in his old age, he seriously believes he found Zimbabwe and he has to remain in office until he dies. He might be confused into believing that Zimbabwe is his estate and he the owner of that estate. Therefore, since he fought for it he should always keep his treasure. He might not have envisioned for himself any other post except the President of Zimbabwe. But one wonders what does Dahir Riyale think when he refuses to leave office.

 

Somaliland was neither found nor saved by Dahir Riyale. If Mugabe was the one who saved Zimbabwe, Dahir Riyale is the one Somaliland was saved from. He was among the dark forces of Siad Bare who tortured innocent citizens for not adhering to the rules of his master. He was lucky to have been forgiven for his crimes and luckier even more for inheriting the highest office of the land. No one in the society rejected this lucky inheritance.

 

On the contrary, the people of Somaliland welcomed him and ignored all that could deny him office. Then, he tells us that he was chosen by the people and luckier still, they have chosen him over KULMIYE, the party that had all the war veterans in it. People then were a bit surprised of the outcome of a vote. They expected otherwise but being inherently democratic, they let him stay in office. Now the same people want to hold an election and vote for their candidate.

 

He is a candidate (the only one from his party) but he does not trust the people. Why not? They voted for him once – overwhelmingly, he tells us- why can’t he trust them again. It can only be that he does not have the confidence of being elected and he is afraid that the comrades who have rigged the votes for him last time have given up the job. Unless he lacks confidence to be chosen again by the public, he could not have gone too far transgressing the laws of the land, intimidating the same people who have voted for him. He needs to study his history and his legacy that will offer him nothing but shame. He cannot control people with intimidation. He and his comrades cannot suppress the will of the people. He should allow elections to take place and the people to choose their leader.

 

I think the people of Somaliland, opposition parties, National Election Commission and the international community should work together as soon as possible to register voters. That should be the focus of the land. Our beloved country should stay peaceful. Let the people work hard on saving their votes for the right leader in October. Now is the time to register voters and that should be the single vision.

 

Long live Somaliland. PEACE InshaAllah

[Jacaylbaro]

I'm glad this is coming from you ,,, comparing Rayaale to Mugabe ,, two presidents in AFrica ,,, i lil recognition innit ?? , finally ,,,,

[Thankful]

AfricaOwn said "He didn't extend his own term. The House of Guurti of Somaliland have done it"

 

So focus on the highlighted area on the article. The House of Guurti is not a neutral decision maker and has no authority (according to the article). But then again, I never expect you to debate.

 

If it comes between war and Riyaale, the choice is obvious keep him in power. That's the benefit of have a state dominated by one clan, you can always find a peaceful resolution.

[LANDER]

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

It will happen soon IA ,,,,, it is nothing more than a lil bit political rag tag ,,,,,

 

I might win some positions at the time ,

you call this unconstitutional move 'political rag-tag' ? The situation is far more serious than you think as a blind supporter of Riyaale. Notice how the country gave him the benefit of doubt when he took office, he's wore out the nations patience with his blunders. He needs to step down asap.

[AfricaOwn]

Originally posted by LANDER:

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

It will happen soon IA ,,,,, it is nothing more than a lil bit political rag tag ,,,,,

 

I might win some positions at the time ,

you call this unconstitutional move 'political rag-tag' ? The situation is far more serious than you think as a blind supporter of Riyaale. Notice how the country gave him the benefit of doubt when he took office, he's wore out the nations patience with his blunders. He needs to step down asap.

What do you mean unconstitutional? The Upper House of Parliament can extend the President term....They have the biggest power in SL Government honestly.

[Koora-Tuunshe]

I wonder why the president of Somalia who in principle believes in the unity of Somalia and the resuscitation of our state attracts so much wrath from some folks whereas a whole tribe advances a deeper division and the forceful partition of Somalia by commissioning think tanks in service of imperial agenda, to write and speak for this cause and portray Somalia in light of the ideological conflict in the some parts of the south. The Northwestern region is no a monolithic entity but a contested entity and it is party to our protracted disputes and crisis, so the one who excludes it from the fratricide/tribal conflict that seem to have defined Somalia's greatest catastrophe is either novice in hindsight or sees benefit in the balkanization of Somalia into a multiple regions. Therefore SL is not politically and economically viable to be or become an independent state even if all the democratic and legal deficits are staggeringly disregarded by the international community.

 

 

The good news is that the Security Council has just unanimously approved the deployment of International Peace keeping troops of 27000 and some 12,000 police officers to pave the way the withdrawal of AU troops including Ethiopia. The key word to remember is the replacement of AU troops with International troops in light of the growing radicalization of Somalia and the prevailing perception that the world is not lifting one finger to help us out of this misery.

As we all know the current president of South Africa once expressed a similar notion that pits Somalia against its African brothers because of our affiliation with the ungrateful Arab League. Somalia is the least recipient of deserving international assistance and attention.

[Koora-Tuunshe]

Originally posted by somalipride:

If it comes between war and Riyaale, the choice is obvious keep him in power. That's the benefit of have a state dominated by one clan, you can always find a peaceful resolution.

Somalipride, use region instead of state. Be careful of the terms you use.

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

I wonder why the president of Somalia who in principle believes in the unity of Somalia and the resuscitation of our state...

The octogenarian so-called "president" had no problem when those separatists tried to attend the last African Union conference in Ghana. It was Masar, not this infirm madaxweyne ku sheeg, who blocked their attempt of seeking an official entry.