Crucial Agreement Reached by Political Organizations

By developing and agreeing on a code of conduct to govern their activities and inter-organizational relations before and after the forthcoming elections, Somaliland’s political organizations have shown a sense of growing political maturity.

In fact there has been an obvious need, since the election campaign began in earnest several months ago, for some kind of rules that guide the behavior of contesting organizations and their supporters during the electoral process. As organization officials increasingly resorted to appealing to clan sentiments in order to raise resources and voter support, Somalilanders became so bewildered as to ask themselves whether Somaliland could ever successfully transform itself from tribally oriented politics to multi-party democracy.

The intensity of the election campaign has actually revived long-held public fears that multi-party-based election was a risky business in terms of the threats it carried to the country’s peace, stability and unity.

The organizations also acted responsibly and wisely when they agreed to a set of recommendations identifying the course of action need to be taken for pre-empting the prospect of a political vacuum in the event the deadline for presidential election is not met.

Needless to say, each political organization will have to strive for meeting all its obligations under the terms contained in the common code of conduct that has been agreed upon. Leaders of political organizations must bear in mind that neither the Somaliland people nor history will forgive them if they raise self-vested interests above those of the country in this election campaign.

All Somalilanders are yearning for peaceful, fair and free elections. The general feeling among the populace is to reward those who play by the rules and hold accountable those who try to beak the rules.

We hope that our politicians will be smart enough to choose the right option.

Home | Contact us | Links | Archives