The Gurti Delivers, President Rayale ‎Shows Statesmanship, Somaliland System ‎Works

EDITORIAL

Once in a while a great challenge arises that poses a major test for the political system of a country. The parliamentary crisis that faced Somaliland in the last few days was such a test. Fortunately, Somaliland passed the test. Credit of course goes to our House of Elders (Senate) who reached a wise decision that upheld the results of the vote of the majority of the parliamentarians and supported the democratic process. This was the first major dispute that the House of Elders had to settle under the leadership of Mr. Suleiman Mahmud Adam and it was more than equal to the task. Credit also goes to President Rayale who showed real statesmanship by foregoing narrow political interests and accepting what is good for the country.

Now that the opposition is firmly in control in parliament, the ball is in their court. Somalilanders want to see real leadership, not endless disputes and the pursuit of personal gain. Somalilanders also want the new parliament to work with the government on vital issues and to eschew gridlock, grandstanding, and confrontation for confrontation’s sake.

The opposition must realize that with power comes responsibility. They now control one of the major institutions of the country, and cannot act the way they used to when they were outside the governing system. Finger pointing at the government is no longer enough. The people who voted them in office want to see them put their energies into coming up with ideas and programs that will help the country and not just criticize. Criticism of course has its place, but their major effort must go into proving that they are worthy of the votes they received and the power they hold. In other words, they should switch from a campaign mode into a building the country mode (it is especially important that the opposition should send this message to their supporters in the diaspora).

We congratulate the new parliamentary leadership and hope that their term in office will be productive and constructive. As Adan Iman of Los Angeles put it, a new epoch has begun in Somaliland .

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