By: Mukhtar Mohamed Abby

Revisiting the recent past elections, which successfully took place throughout the republic of Somaliland; each of those elections had been won by the ruling political party headed by the incumbent president of Somaliland H.E. Dahir Rayale Kahin. The said elections had been the first elections of their kind held in country, and had been described as a free and fair by the international observers. The main opposition party - Kulmiye, whose presidential aspirant Mr. Ahmed Mohamoud Sillanyo, the eminent veteran politician, and the longest serving chairman of Somali National Movement better known (S.N.M) came in second. It is known to us that the incumbency had won the presidential polls by the skin of his teeth despite using the slush funds that were available to him. This purely indicates that the recent past polls - the political parties were fought tooth and nail over the hegemony of the country.

It came as a surprise, when Dahir Rayale Kahin, the current head of the state, who was not essentially known on the eve of the elections defeated his rival Mr. Ahmed Sillanyo, who has been more prominent, famous and   qualified than his running mate (Mr. Rayale).And during his tenure as a vice president of Somaliland, was overshadowed by the late veteran and orator politician, president Egal. The humiliating and shocking defeat that sustained Mr. Ahmed Sillanyo from the polls had prompted not admits the election results. But he finally admitted the outcome.

It is not something to astonish that the very people who favored Dahir Rayale Kahin, the president of Somaliland over Ahmed Sillanyo in the presidential race are currently dissatisfied with the manner in which his ruling party is running the country. The ruling party made many pledges and beautiful speeches in the course of electioneering. Surprisingly, none of these promises has been implemented in accordance with the people's wishes; but was merely for political games played by the ruling party for the realization of political ends. However, it's worth mentioning that Somalilanders, who lacked experience     in choosing   the right person on the eve of the election are extremely keen on electing a highly qualified personality, who had not been in the political arena; and who's bereft of all forms of tribalism, nepotism, favoritism and the political ideology, which is   largely based on divide and rule, which is exactly what currently lags behind our country.

Seemingly, the people of Somaliland are very much disenchanted   with the incumbency, because the ruling party failed to live up to the people's expectations and promises; thereby, the fate of the ruling party, as well as that of the opposition parties lies in the ballot box and there would be no more   repent   when the right time comes.

Since, we have seen the programmes and the policies of the said political leaders- it's worthwhile a   new candidate be tested regardless the party from which he hails. However, it came to everybody's knowledge that Dr. Ahmed Hussein Isse, a highly qualified personality, who has not been in the political arena in the past- has most recent unilaterally declared his candidature at a press conference given in Hargeysa, and told that he was determined to be running for the incoming presidential polls following he faces floor test of his party to which he belongs. it came to my notice that Dr. Ahmed's candidacy came as a terrible blow to Mr. Ahmed Sillanyo as well as his close associates. Mr. Ahmed Sillanyo finds himself as inconsistent figure, because there are not a prominent personalities in the Kulmiye party, thereafter he does not want see any body else to vie with him over the party's candidature in the forthcoming presidential race.

Dr. Ahmed Hussein Isse, could be said that he is more educated than the party leaders, and is devoid of the political ideology in which the current leaders of the political parties of Udub, Kulmiye and Ucid employs which is largely based on tribalism and favoritism to realize their political gains. Furthermore, Dr. Ahmed Hussein Isse is well known to the western countries; and is a friend of the west. His long presence in the United States and in France would help him to persuade those countries to recognize Somaliland's cause. Henceforth, Dr. Ahmed Hussein Isse unlike those leaders spearheading the politics of this incipient country; and employing the outdated tactics of divide and rule policy, which is not conducive to the harmony and the development of the decent nation.

It worth noting that western countries seemingly disinterested in the   political statuesque in Somalia, which is entirely deteriorating day bay day; and this window of opportunity gives Somaliland's case to be listened keenly by the concerning countries. The United States, the most powerful country on the earth has recently made it clear that it tired of the reconciliation of the Somali warring factions on which millions of dollars were spent by the western countries and Arab league ever since the down fall of the military regime of Somalia.

Given the position of United States towards the political developments of Somaliland - the Kulmiye high command should rally behind Dr. Ahmed Hussein's candidature and at the same time urge Mr. Ahmed Sillanyo to renounce his presidential aspirant since he was defeated in the previous elections and that   people are tired of such old age politicians, who have been in the political arena for ages. Mr. Ahmed Sillanyo must unconditionally support Dr. Ahmed Hussein's candidacy in the coming presidential polls, which is slated to take place in the middle of this year. I strongly urge Mr. Ahmed Sillanyo not only endorse Dr. Ahmed's candidature but also should actively campaign for Dr. Ahmed Hussein Isse. Also, Kulmiye high command must try to the best of their ability in persuading the member clans in the Kulmiye party in supporting of Dr. Ahmed’s candidacy unanimously and unconditionally in keeping with the unity and the solidarity of the party.

As mentioned, Dr. Ahmed Hussein Isse is a highly qualified personality, who devoid of the policy of divide and rule in which the present party leaders are accustomed to practicing, therefore, he could win at this stage the hearts and the minds of tens and thousands of Somalilanders, who want a regime change through   peaceful means. Given the displeasure expressed by the people of Somaliland over the incumbency’s administration system, and lack of noticeable performance; Dr. Ahmed Hussein Isse would be gaining sweeping victory if Kulmiya high command unanimously nominated him as their party presidential candidate in the forthcoming elections. Failing to do so, would only serve for president Rayale's re-election of another five year term, and question mark will be hanging over the existence of Kulmiye opposition party.

Mukhtar Mohamed Abby

Karnataka state ( India)

mukhtarcabi@hotmail.com