Aaba Siyaad ( Siilaanyo), do not leave us.

[galbeedi]

 

 

 

The latest surprise in Somaliland is President Siilaanyo was issued an identity card that was different from the original one that was issued in 2010. The Original card read. Ahmed Siilaanyo, Born in Yelay,, Sool, in 1936. According to that card , he is 78 years old. If an election is held in 2015, he will 79 years old, and he will be in eighties. If , he is elected, other than Robert Mogabe of Zimbanawe , he is going to be one of the oldest leaders in the African continent.

 

 

Nothing is wrong for being old and scenior, but, when you combine that with chronic health issues with old age, it is a recipe for disaster. During an election year, it is difficult to campaign on that can kind of image. If this election is about reform, change and better life for people, you can't reciycle an old story. If your candidate is an eithy years old man whose better days are gone, deffently you are doomed. Now, rather than tell the truth when it comes to national ID, the crooks at the palace and others had invented a new trick to mislead the gullible public. They decided to change both his age and birth place. Being incompetent, they thought no one will notice these small discrepancies.

 

His newly minted card read. Ahmed Siilaanyo born in 1942, in Burco. Even those issuing this card had his original information and his old card. Welcome to the family business. By making his birth date 1942, they are automatically making him six years younger than his old age. Now he is 73 years old and ready to campaign for another term.

 

 

So, what Siilaanyo himself thinks about these moves by his handlers. I did talk to someone who runs a local NGO, which have a good access to the palace. He said , that biggest problem of all is Siilaanyo never wanted to run another term. As soon as the election was concluded, he thought to finish his term , and then concentrate to his well being having suffered a mild strong in July, 2010. . Suddenly when he saw, peole like Muuse ( Suudi) Biixi, gearing for power, he was scared that things may be turn in the wrong direction. Some of my sources told me theat he even told the goofy Prof. Samatar that, he want to retire as soon as possible, but can't leave the country to these unsavory characters who could put Somaliland in a dangerous situation. This could be a propaganda ploy from the Palace.

 

 

 

These were his comrades that he assembled to defeat Rayaale. In United States, when the tea party campaigned against Obama care and his Presidency, so many unruly characters showed up. some wanted small governments, others were die hard conservatives who were angry, but, theses movement also, attracted Neo Nazis, red necks and out right racists who couldn't stand Obama. In order to defeat Rayaale, Siilaanyo also assembled, criminals, SNM members , extremists, tribal chauvinists , and enemies of Rayaale. As shrewed as Silaanyo has alwys been, he knew he could not ride the bus with these characters. After he was elected, he disbanded that evil alliance and started governing. He never wanted to share the stage with former Jabhads. They maybe odious , but at least they are honest men who know war and peace. Men like Gaboose, Xasan C. Jaamac, Dhagaweyne and others formed their own political parties to enter the politics. Unfortunately , they were defeated in the political arena. Others, decided to quit and formed pressure groups ( Golaha Badbaadinta Qaranka), to stay in the lime lights, while some like Biixi, INa Kahin and others laid law and waited for Siilaanyo to quit. Siilaanyo knows better that these characters will never win elections or govern

 

 

 

Almost everyone who knows any thing about politics knows Siilaanyo is ready to retire. The problem is loosers who could not win an election by themselves, want to ride him one more time. Now who are these groups that want to finish his term after he wins for them one more time. At the same time there are others who do not care that much.

 

 

 

1- The East Burco Community: this community is hard working and were in the business side long before Siilaanyo showed up. they are good in running big and small business. Their businesses could be found from Lowyacado, dila, Wajaale, Berbera, Hargeisa, Burco and beyond. Despite what Somaliland media says , they do not benefit that much from the government. Of course they have corrupt and incompetent ministers in the government like the Aviation minister, Hirsi Gaab and others, but traditionally, They do not rely on the Government ( Dawlad ku Nool Ma Ahan ).

 

, their elders are reserved and out of the lime light. Having said that those close family members who are residing at the palace will do what ever vit takes to keep Siilaanyo another term.

 

 

2- SNM. When Siilaanyo was asked , " which one is difficult , taking up arms or governing the land?". He said, " not even close , running a government was the most difficult job". Well, if a man who were in politics for fifty years had difficulty ruling hungry tribes, what do you expect from warlords like Muuse ( Suudi) Biixi. For them ridding this Siilaanyo horse is their last chance for political future. to be fair most of these guys, especially, Ina Xaashi, Xasan Guure, Cayddid and Boobe are honest people. The way things are shaping in the future, Siilaanyo could be one of the last member of the SNM to rule Somaliland.

 

 

 

3- Hargeisa Oligarchs. These groups already created in Hargeisa and inside the government a HAG style corruption and nepotism never seen any where in the Somali speaking world. They are the big elephant in the room that no one is talking about. These are the people who are shaking Siilaanyo for their interest. Few weeks ago you heard about the Awdal elders demanding fair representation in government and the bureaucracy. On that note I could add that, in terms of ministers , The President gives the important portfolios the people who are close to him politically or those he fears the most for political revenges. In this case the Hargeisa group. At the same time, he has every right to name his cabinet as he wishes. If he doesn't respect your interest, then throw him out of the office.

 

 

 

Having said that, on the issue of bureaucracy and regional representation, that is totally another issue. The Awdal people should never accept to have 90% of the government employees in Awdal and Selel to be outsiders who hail from different parts of Somaliland, nor should they ever allow a system that doesn't have fair ways of hiring people. I will write extensively on that issue on the coming days. The most crucial issue raised by the elders is related to this #3, in this writing.

 

 

 

These Hargeisa oligarchs do not answer to the average citizen or anyone else. Minister Smaale in his budget statement of 2013/14, he allocated $2.8 millions for the hiring of almost 1468 employees. Among those, six were from Awdal, 20 were from East Burco, 3 from Djibouti community and 1189, or 81% of them from his sub clan. This was the most important document the elders gave to Siilaanyo when they were complaining. They are using the government ministries they run as tribal cash cow and employment agencies. Here in north America they say, " hey willy, why you only rob banks ?, he says, " That is where the money is". They got five ministers , including finance, foreign, industry, education and planning. This finance minister is called Sheekh Samaale. Some of his elder supporters say, " waar ninku madaxweyne ayuu rabaa in uu noqdee, haduu dad meesha geystay miyaad iska daysaan". Dadkani dad s=xishoonaya ma ahan. I will answer to Samaale soon.

 

 

 

As they say " the buck stops at the feet of the leader". Samaale and many others are acting these way because of weak leader like Siilaanyo. No one is talking about these group who like HAG in Muqdisho , run every thing.

 

 

 

Few weeks ago I met in one of those Somali restaurants two guys. One was from Hargeisa ( the Hargeisa of Samaale), the other one from west Burco. The Hargeisa guy said " waar Wadani baanu galaynaa oo Odaygan Qabyaalistaha ah waan ka soo Baxaynaa". The west Burco guy said " why would you like to join Wadani?, do you like their platform ?". He said " waar reer baa waxiiba wada Qaatay".

 

The Burco guy, said ' Shantii Wasaaradood ee uGu weynaa wadanka ( Finance, foreign, Industry Education and Planning), ayaad haystaan iyo madaxii militariga, iyo waxii agaasime ahaa", " habar iyo odaybana waa qaylinaysaan, waxa aad u Taageeraysaan Wadani ma aha in aad ajendahooda ka heshaye, sida Siilaanyo in aad intaa iyo wax ka badan ka heshaan ayaad rabtaan".

 

 

 

The Hargeisa guy, didn't say much after that. This Samaale guy put hundreds of these tribally hired cronies points between Lawyacado to Burco. Samaale is not fool. He knows the Family at the palace is stealing money, especially the money that comes from donors, so " waa qaataye Qaado".

 

 

 

I conclude by saying these group from Hargeisa are the ones trying to ride another term of Siialnnyo in order to steal more

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is time for the opposition to act and finish of these dinosaurs . Otherwise , soon you will see Siilaanyo look alike person waving for the public when he no longer able to speak .

[Tallaabo]

Despite your obvious anti-SNM views your analysis of the political situation in Somaliland is correct. The clan of the serving president usually gets a lot of critism and suspicion from everyone else even though the president's clan rarely derives any benefit from his presidency. I can remember everyone outside of Awdal saying "the streets of Boorama are paved with gold" when Riyaale was running the country :-D

I believe the Hargeisa oligarch community are the political Jews of Somaliland. Like their American cousins, they never go for the top job but instead strike a deal with whichever neive clan is putting all its eggs in one basket (the villa). In return for votes and campaign money they demand a lion's share of the government formed if victory is achieved. From their on they hold the strings of power and enrich themselves even more. These oligarchs should be stopped before they ruin our politics for good.

I don't know if your claim is true, but if it is and civil service jobs in Awdal and Salel are filled by the oligarchs and other outsiders to the region, then their should be a public inquiry and a forceful eviction of everyone of them. We don't want a replication of the Kacaan in Somaliland.