By Noah Arre

Democracy is a government by the people. In the Developed World, it is a form of governance in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system. In Somaliland democracy, however, the form of democracy there is blended with the customary law (Xeer) of the nation. And the rights of all must be respected and grievance of any one must be addressed. In that case it means present Somaliland already does not respect the rights of all since many minorities are not represented.

Historically, Somalilanders like the rest of Somalis had their own form of laws, rules and regulations well before the era of colonialism and the onset of European governance. The Xeer was practiced nationwide. And had any one violated it, concerned tribal leaders (Sultans, Ugases, Tribal elders and other traditional leaders) would automatically come together solve all problems under the acacia tree.

And amazingly Xeer offenders were often apprehended and severely punished by their close relatives. In addition, the tribal leaders concerned appealed for calmness, forgiveness and promised no repeat of such offenses. And had any damage been done by the offender, his/her tribe would automatically take all responsibilities and pay reparations if any. But again remarkably, even those at the receiving end of the crime were often so lenient enough forgiving and forgetting if and when necessary!

That was how much impressive and amazing Somali Xeer and order was and that is why peace and tranquility prevailed for centuries. That is why Europeans and any one who happened to know about it admired it. And that is why I. M. Lewis loved it and wrote his famous book… “Somali Pastoral Democracy!”

So, it is as a result of the Somali Xeer’s merits and virtues that Somaliland elders and intellectuals blended current Somaliland constitution with Somali Xeer when it was drafted during the Peace and Reconciliation Conferences in Burao, Borama and Hargeysa in the early nineties after Somaliland declared secession from strife-torn Somalia.   And it is as a result of it that Somaliland’s upper chamber was created!

In addition, it is during that period that conference attendees, intellectuals, traditional elders, Ugases, Sultans and Aqils, agreed that a power sharing based on democracy blended with Xeer be drafted and followed by the nation.  

Unfortunately today, it seems that those meticulously drafted laws, rules and regulations are not in the books of Kulmiye Party any more and for a strange reason the nation’s major opposition party myopically discards and intentionally ignores all the provision of that law!  

If Kulmiye has its way, the Lower House speaker, the Chairman of the Guurti, the President and the Vice President all will all be from one tribe. This literally violates the traditional Xeer blended in the constitution that calls for mutual power sharing in Somaliland.

And naively enough, despite knowing that certain Somaliland tribes have already felt betrayed and hence refuse to embrace Somaliland whole heartedly, Kulmiye seems to have no interest to respect the provisions of Somaliland’s hard won peace and reconciliation agreements.

So, one may ask:

And finally, I hope unfolding developments from Kulmiye prove me wrong in the coming days but it is my belief that the dice for the fall of the nation is ready to roll and the nation is in for a long haul. But I also hope that no one gets me wrong by thinking that I am crying wolf over the possible departure of President Rayale!

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