The Ten Most Important Things Somaliland Should Do To Strengthen Democracy And Gain International Recognition
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By Faysal Diriye, Ottawa, Canada
First at all, I will like to concur with all the recent articles congratulating the Somaliland people. Victory has always a million fathers, but only our people that chose to resolve their divergent opinions through the ballot box should be commanded for the historic election. Meanwhile if the election was history, it is also already history and we all need to look forward to the necessary steps ahead. For this purpose, here are my two cents worth opinions. It should be noted however that I am not attempting to draw a paternalist comprehensive agenda for Somaliland but merely inviting contributions on what should be done next:
1-Creation by the newly elected members of parliament (MP) of parliamentarian commissions in order to monitor government activities.
The controversies about the never ending trips abroad of the Finance minister or the alleged secret deals with Djibouti and talks with PM Gedi, are deeply disturbing for the common Somalilander who is unable to go to the bottom of these issues. Since our system does not allow individual to question ministers, such commission could help alleviate concerns about inappropriate and shadowy ministerial activities.
2- Nomination of an ethics commissioner in charge of preventing conflict of interest. Such institution, reporting to the Parliament, would have the means and the moral authority to clear the air on for example the first lady and the President brother in law commercial dealings.
3- Creation of a monitoring and policing institution to oversee the activities of the media. The saga surrounding the birth of radio Horyal and the government subsequent paranoia made a laughingstock of Somaliland high quality news organization.
4- Creation of clear guidelines for the executive when it comes to the relation with Somalia leaders. With the backdrop of the 2001 referendum, only practical matters such as the allocation of Somalia foreign debt and assets worldwide should be discussed with democratically elected Somalia leaders provided that these leaders do not claim any jurisdiction on part or all Somaliland.
5- Creation of clear guidelines for the executive in his dealings with Somaliland natives that chose to be part of Somalia peace conferences and governments. While the inept Interior minister angrily promised the firing squad to any renegade, any process should not be undertaken unless the legal background is debated and defined.
6- Creation of clear guidelines for the handling of former Siyadists. Somaliland cannot afford revisiting its troubled past every time that a former Siyad civil servant of military officer is appointed or elected. While any Somalilander should be free to live in his native country, we should debate if all elective and bureaucratic positions can be open to all Siyadists regardless on the level of involvement and enthusiasm for the defunct criminal regime. Case by case indictment where we will almost certainly be divided along tribal or regional lines are, and have been proven, detrimental for Somaliland.
7- Creation of Somaliland diplomatic missions abroad. Our unrecognized status has never prevented us from developing remarkable institutions. Such mission could help channel the informal lobbying by communities abroad and provide one step information and updates outlets for foreign legislators interested in Somaliland democratic development.
8- Creation of a Somaliland recognition day. While reading through major newspapers reporting on the recent election, I could help but notice that our most precious asset, in the eyes of foreigners, was the exceptionally high turnout that conferred an indisputable legitimacy for the upcoming Parliament. A twice a year Somaliland recognition day with ten of thousands peacefully strolling the streets of Hargeisa, Borama and Erigavo and thousands abroad lobbying their local representative could be considered to bolster our recognition quest.
9- Somaliland should use more effectively the incredible credentials and potential of Ms Edan Sheik Adan Ismail, our most valuable Somaliland minister and the standard bearer of the good governance attributes of Somaliland. We should abandon any backroom dealings with the Jowhar group or their Ethiopian masters, any courtship of the Arab League of the African Union dictators, and favor European and American stages where Somaliland economic, human rights and democratic record can be conveyed effective by Ms Edna Ismail.
10- A new approach toward southern Sool. While the hands off attitude of the Somaliland government bore some fruits, it should be relayed by another approach since the Lascanood mistreatment by Majertenia reached unbearable levels as reported by a Wagacusub journalist. A civil unrest against Majertenai regime is going on in Lascanood right now and the and no stone should be left unturned to help them the freedom fighters operating there.
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