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In any democracy, victory in an election can only be conferred by the voters, or, in the event of a tied or disputed result, by the courts sanctioned for such purpose by the constitution of that country. Thus, in the 2000 elections in the USA, George W. Bush won by decision of the US Supreme Court and Al Gore accepted his defeat. In Somaliland’s recent election, the Constitutional Court reviewed the results, heard from the Electoral Commission and the two parties in question and pronounced President Rayale & UDUB the winners. However, KULMIYE and Mr. Sillanyo categorically reject the decision of the Court. By rejecting the determination of the highest legal authority in the country as provided in the Constitution KULMIYE is, in effect, rejecting the Constitution itself.
We have to ask ourselves why KULMIYE, and its leader & Presidential candidate, Mr. Ahmed Sillanyo, have refused to accept the decision of the Constitutional Court regarding the recent elections. After all, KULMIYE, along with the other two parties contesting the elections, committed itself to accepting the results of the vote as determined by the bodies so authorized by the Constitution. Yet, KULMIYE now rejects that determination and instead calls for "talks". Whom does KULMIYE want to have "talks" with and what would these "talks" be about? KULMIYE does not say. Clearly, they are unhappy with losing the election, but do they really believe that they can "talk" their way to an ultra-vires victory? Are they that deranged? The answer is that they are not and that their patently ridiculous call for "talks" is a smokescreen for an evil and self serving purpose.
KULMIYE’s intention is to blackmail Somaliland into giving it by extortion what it could not win at the ballot box, i.e. a large role and say in the next government. They plan to cast Somaliland in the same light as Somalia, i.e. that we are a country without a legitimate government. It is not surprising that KULMIYE timed its transparent ploy to coincide with the end of the tenure of the TNG in Mogadiscio, since they aim to tar us with the same brush. KULMIYE is also aware that with the successful completion of the local and Presidential elections (which the international observers unanimously pronounced as essentially free and fair), Somaliland is on the verge of securing some form of recognition from the international community. These elections were the crucial test that many members of the international community wished to witness before considering Somaliland’s case seriously and positively.
By calling the Constitution itself into question at this crucial time, KULMIYE has finally shown its true colours. The unbridled ambition of its leadership, Mr. Sillanyo and his new political allies (that alienated and discredited bunch of erstwhile heroes known as QAAXO), supersedes any loyalty they have to Somaliland. They have put their own personal interests above the wishes and interests of Somaliland and its people. This is not new or surprising from QAAXO, but it is a source of great regret that an elder statesman like Mr. Sillanyo would be party to such a venal endeavour. KULMIYE has to understand (and if refuses to, it will be made to understand) that enough is enough - Somaliland will not be blackmailed and KULMIYE will have to obey the law of the land, like everybody else. The clearest contrast between blind, self serving ambition and ambition born of nationalism can be seen in the difference between KULMIYE and Mr. Sillanyo’s response to the election result and that of UCID and Mr. Faysal Ali Warabe.
Yours truly,
Ahmed M.I. Egal
Dammam, Saudi Arabia
28th May 2003
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