Somaliland’s Quest for Democratic Governance

[Deeq A.]

It is dawn prayer time and heavy dark night is leaving to shiny day and November unleashes its harsh winter cold. It’s not a time Ayan, 22, prefers to go outside but today she has bigger task; to choose her next president- would be. She passes through dark alleys and has to negotiate stones and unclean roads she wouldn’t pass through otherwise. Finally, she approaches the polling station she was going to vote, but to her astonishment, finds that along queue has already been established. She sighed with exhaustive smile and stood her position in the queue.

Ayan’s story is metaphor to Somaliland itself; young, defiant, Somaliland is a country which survived pitfalls but has long way to go. Today Somaliland chose its fifth president since early 1990’s. Though wasn’t without problems always, Somaliland has shown a commitment to democracy and a rule of law. Somaliland repeatedly succeeds in fostering peace and stability in a region known for its violent turbulence. Having laid down system of governance that stretches in all almost all corners of the country, Somaliland has made a significant stride towards electoral democracy and secured all requirements of statehood.

That being said that, as a new president-elect is making his way to office, Somaliland is at tipping point. More than twenty years and still no official international recognition, Somaliland is deprived of the luxury of having international investment and engaging with international bodies such as the U.N and regional ones such as the African Union (AU) and Regional Economic Communities ( RECs). Positioned in the turbulent region of Horn of Africa, it’s important more than ever to engage Somaliland in the efforts of fighting terrorism, piracy and recurring droughts. Helping Somaliland to confront such challenges is needed as this unrecognized nation of four million can’t afford to handle such problems alone.

Making sure the democratic journey of Somaliland to be continued and sustained is one of the issues waiting for Kulmiye Administration for the next five years. That constitutes overseeing and holding parliamentary elections which last time took place 12-years ago and this parliament is marked by their incompetence and inefficiency. House of Elders’ fate is also highly on the issues expected from the next administration. Praised for their role Somaliland peace building process and subsequently the consolidation of the Somaliland’s statehood, now it’s time to replace them even though they obstructed the law stipulating their election process in 2007. Now, over 80% of its initial members are gone, instead it became heredity form in which the deceased member’s sons or other relative may assume the position. International Security Studies’ description was rather telling in pointing to ‘’institutional decay” in Somaliland state meaning the Elders and Parliament performance.

The importance of the institutions in fostering genuine democracy cannot be understated. A country like Somaliland, where personalities prevail over institutions, it’s imperative that the next government pays more attention in enhancing state institutions and restore the legitimacy they gravely need from the spectating public. This is antidote to widespread influence of non-state actors that may not necessarily be force for good. Consider these facts; A majority of African citizens trust religious leaders, the army and their traditional leaders more than their elected representatives. These bitter facts highlight the importance of legitimacy in governance and that’s far-fetched unless resilient and competent institutions are encouraged.

The president-elect has vowed to tackle corruption and government malpractice. This is important because during Kulmiye’s seven years in office, Somaliland has exposed to widespread corruption and clientelism that shook public trust towards government itself. What are the ways he will pursue to achieve this is unclear but time will show whether this promises are genuinely true or it’s just campaign rhetoric. Will there be any scrutiny under his watch to previous corruption and embezzlement or how to deal party co-members who were heavily involved in corruption. More than 70% of Somalilanders, according to one survey, perceive widespread corruption in government institutions especially ministers while another 80% of population cited that they were asked bribe in police stations to get basic security service. This practices erodes public trust in the government and in return paves the ground for other’s to deliver the vey basic finical that the government is supposed the perform.

Put it simply, when the government neglects delivering service or showing semblance of presence and caring, the logic goes, then the people is filled with resentment and may turn violent ways to demand for change.

Africa is continent of the young people, and Somaliland is no exception. While this seen as asset for potential contributors in the development by employing their skills and energy, they can be also source of serious instability if the current status quo didn’t change for the better. Remember, after all, what prompted Mohammed Bouazizi that in setting himself fire  and sparked Arab Uprisings was public frustration of his government coupled by power abuse by government officcer. That doesn’t mean however, Youth is sandwiched in dichotomy of good-guy with university degree and bad-guy with scars and degree in troublemaking, no one desires to be looser but the circumstances imposes them to be. Mo Ibrahim Foundation which promotes good governance in Africa, reveals that by 2050, half of Africa’s population will be below 25 years old. The irony is that in that same continent (Africa), Less than a quarter of Africa’s youth is “very interested in public affairs”. This means public frustration of youth in their countries especially broken promises of politician, joblessness and other grievances. Dismal as it may sound; the unprecedented number of jobless youth can instigate violence in many cards; petty crimes to serious extremist ones. The candidates were vague in their promises to youth albeit differently but their also wide and increasingly activism in youth which demand more just and worthy endeavors. Platforms like Inspire Group by organizing presidential debate has shown the ability of youth to demonstrate their voice and held politicians accountable and answerable to the public.

I doesn’t make sense to make promises and pay lip service to the youth’s cause by appointing one young man/woman to vice-ministerial post and then brag about it while entire generation ravages in teashops and streets. However it’s more of visionary act and envisioning the future of this young men/ women in their society. Make no mistake, the argument is not that appointing youth to political office is insignificant nor it’s undermining symbolic and exemplary it means but the point is not to reduce the entire cause to tokenistic and marketing instrument for government bereft from any real plans for youth.
The Mussa Bihi administration also faces significant geopolitical developments. Somaliland is no longer spectator in waiting, the recent engagement with the Gulf Crisis and U.A.E relations demonstrate the willingness of outside countries to engage with Somaliland in matter relating to their interests, but also shows how controversial some stances may prove. The management of military base approval by the parliament was dubious and problematic. Such deals necessities outmost transparency to make enduring legitimacy and sustainability. The next Somaliland government must identify and articulate what constitutes the best for Somaliland interests and navigate how to pursue in world that is not friendly to un-orthodox state formation. Somaliland foreign minister once suggested the ‘’Africanisation of Somaliland Foreign Policy’’ presumably realizing that Siilaanyo administration neglected African states in Somaliland quest for recognition and engagement, but that didn’t materialize reflecting institutional gaps alluded earlier. Somalia question is at the end the inevitable one. As talk collapsed, the president-elect was during televised presidential debate un clarifying when reflecting on the causes of the failure of the talks, scapegoating opposition officials on the failure which initially was part and parcel of his party. Other candidate weren’t clear either on their plans in dealing with Somalia. Flip flops and sudden uneven changes is fact known in Somaliland foreign policy. This is apparently due to lack of institutionalized way of dealing with the issues.

Somaliland is at tipping point. Whether the next administration innovates change or end up as Old Wine in New Glass, it’s undoubtable that the new government faces tremendous challenges; economic recovery, job creation, safe guarding environment and maintaining governance. Also important is the eastern regions and recent success in ceasing hostility with fronts operation there, this must be capitalized and the president-elect hinted at that. But there’s also promising and refreshing things that fills you with optimism. Public consensus about issues deemed important; peace, democracy, education and brilliance is something to cherish and celebrate. Young men/ women fighting for good and decent lives  expressing their endeavors in art, music , stories and increasingly yes, photography, is strong reminder that Ayan’s Somaliland is struggling but promising one.

Moustafa Ahmad @Mustafe_Ahmed

mustafeahmed123@gmail.com