By: Adam Bahnan

An Article in the Republic of Somaliland 's Constitution endows the citizen the right to elect or be elected to any elective state office. However, that right is not absolute one as a second Article in the Constitution institutes Three State Political Parties and thus restricts the venue of the citizen's right to elect or be elected to be solely delivered through one of the set Three State Political Parties. Not only that but the citizen, consciously or otherwise, had conceded to this restrictive constitutional measure on his/her right by voluntarily endorsing the Constitution when it was put to referendum in 2002. By so doing the citizen vested unreserved trust in the UNTESTED Three State Parties at the time.

The citizen, however, in return for that unreserved trust anticipated from the State Parties leaders untinted and wholesome Political Leadership that will uphold the citizens interest above anything else. The citizen correctly envisioned the established Three Political Parties as EQUALS in every sense and had hoped in consideration to their important national standing to establish among themselves sanctified norms and understood work procedures to jointly lead the nation to prosperity and sound progress. Least of all, one expected from the three monopolized State Parties to present their programs or criticism, in dignified and un-personalized manner.

However, to the public's dismay, the current crude practices of the opposition parties of assembling only multitudes of discredits committed by the ruling party void of single IOTA of credit to their favor and the ruling parties habitual reaction to out rightly defy and reject whatever, criticism voiced by the opposition, without looking into its merits or demerits, is a sterile stalemate situation that neither benefits the nation nor amply befits the expected role from responsible and distinctive State Political Parties.

We have, so far come a long way by successfully holding three successive elections to entrench solid constitutional institutions pivotal to our democratic governance and this is credit worthy and should be marveled by all. We put into record our thanks and appreciation to those responsible for this achievement.

Somaliland is in dire need for international recognition not to mention the more pressing public aspiration to see the country set in motion towards tangible economic and social progress. Somaliland is, now, in unique and delicate political situation. We have a Government, run by an elected Incumbent President midway in its office tenure, and an elected upcoming House of Representatives with 60% (aggregate) Opposition Parties Members.

One thing is out rightly unacceptable to the public if the Opposition adopt such behavior. It is affirmed that the lion, in the upbringing of his offsprings, habitually displays his fangs to the young cubs. But never eats them. However, the lion unsparingly applies his claws if the young cubs come up with misdemeanor to prepare them for harsh environment where a mere false step could be fatal. A lion's attitude towards his offsprings is merely paternalistic and instinctive whereas a politician's action is a calculated and expedient one. Hence, the Opposition Parties to show a lion's fake smile to the public while they prepare themselves to mercilessly tear apart whatever, motion is tabled to the new House of Representatives by the Ruling Party is something unacceptable and vile.

Our democracy cannot and should not be labeled any differently from functional world democracies in all situations. The public, therefore, demand from the leaders of the Three State Political Parties to put their heads together and come with a functional Government and Constructive Opposition. A simple and attainable public request.

The public further urge the fresh members of the House of Representatives who constitute over 90% of its membership to infuse new blood into the inept and old Party systems and come up with pragmatic break-through that hails national interest above anything else and beware to be drawn into the personalized and thus dysfunctional political system that incapacitates any progress.

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