By M. Elmi

While the people of Somaliland especially those who suffered under the dictatorship of Siad Barre have much respect for KULMIYE, today many are appalled with what is happening, others are silent with disappointment.

SNM are heroes to me they are men who fought for us at a time when many of us where too young to know what was happening. But not all Somalilanders are SNM supporters and equally not all SNM are KULMIYE supporters, these are facts many people tend to ignore, and an argument often used to silence people and to say they are anti-SNM. But to make it clear the same blood sacrificed by those men runs deep in my veins and it is why I hold such a profound gratitude and respect for them. However, it doesn’t mean that I am blind to what some of them are doing.

The parliament dominated by the opposition parties delayed the appointment of the election commission, fully knowing that time was scarce and that the 15th of May was the end of this president’s mandate. They knew Riyale will have only one option and that is to extend his presidency at least until the elections. In a recent interview with the BBC Somali services, Siilaanyo was asked of what he thought the solution should be in the event of the president stepping down. He acknowledged it will be a political vacuum but aggressively told the interviewee that it is something they would have discussed with the government and when pressed further on that question, he hesitantly said may be it is the head of the Guurti (S/land House of Elders) who should take his place.

Sillanyo is right in most of his criticism of the government. Nonetheless, all Somalilanders know the many shortcomings of this president, we are aware of his corruption ridden government and his countless ill thought policies of arresting political adversaries and innocent civilians without due process. To sum it up every body knows that here is a chronic shortage of brains in the Madaxtooyada.

But what shocked many people and I dare say the majority, is how calculating the KULMIYE party is. They have taken it upon themselves to bring this government to its knees by what ever means they have; it’s the age old tactic of “Jiq ku sii”, it is tactic of leading your opponent to a political situation that neither allows him to opt for a political settlement nor to maintain the status qua.

It is no secret that they have already attempted to impeach Riyale well before the new parliament was sworn into office, they had in mind the same game once they dominate the elected parliament. All this was before the newly elected President was given the chance to showcase what he can do, so it was no surprise he disregarded the parliament all together, knowing fully that these men had one thing in mind, nothing less than the presidential office.

As an ardent supporter of KULMIYE, occasionally I used to listen to Radio Horyaal (its run by the same people who run Somaliland.org), it was fresh news from back home but even though I identified with KULMIYE I grew uncomfortable with the hate they spew. It was a bleak a picture they painted there. Consequently, it is no surprise that people who consume this propaganda on daily basis are calling us to take up arms against our people.

1)http://www.somaliland.org/2008/03/23/run-riyaleh-and-the-guurti-out-of-office-by-the-barrel-of-the-gun/

It is mostly their Diaspora supporters who are far away from the fire they are so recklessly fuelling. I was speaking to my cousin in the south west of England the other night. He is a strong supporter of KULMIYE, and when I told to him it is KULMIYE who is to blame for the delayed elections, he knew from the outset that I was right. But regardless of that he said, it was time they vacated the office for the SNM veterans who deserved to be there, stressing that these men are unarmed and they wish no harm to the country. But that is exactly what they are doing, they know they are systematically destroying the reputation we built over the years, and they know they are sawing the seeds of mistrust between the various clans of the country.

One thing is for sure though. KULMIYE is built along shaky tribal lines more so then any other party, and if there were demonstrations In Burco, Hargeisawis will sooner than later see KULMIYE for what they really are. They can not afford to betray Somaliland and remain silent over what is happening. Only time will tell, but there are times when silence is a kin to betrayal.

Peace

M. Elmi

al-andalusi@hotmail.co.uk