Somaliland’s government clinging to power after May 15th won’t work

EDITORIAL

As the government’s term draws to end and the two opposition parties reject the extension period given to the government by the Upper House (Guurti), Somaliland is taking a plunge into the unknown with unpredictable consequences. Instead of working with the opposition on finding an acceptable solution, the government decided that it would just insist that it is still a legitimate government and point the fingers at the opposition and paint them as troublemakers who want to endanger Somaliland’s security. The opposition, on the other hand, invited the government to reach an understanding with them before the deadline passes, and have been reassuring the citizens that although they would not recognize the government after May 15 th, they would not do anything that puts the people or their properties at risk.

The government has clearly overplayed its hand. It has failed to recognize that its position after May 15 th would be much weaker than before that date. After all, this is a government that does not have de Jure international recognition, and when the two opposition parties who between them represent a clear majority of the population also say they do not recognize it, then, in effect, what you have is a government that is neither recognized internally nor externally.

This being the reality on the ground, it is in everybody’s interest that the government sits down with the opposition and that, together, they should figure out a formula for managing the affairs of the country until elections. Simply ignoring the internal and external realities and insisting that they are a lawful government after May 15 th just won’t work.

Source: Somaliland Times

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