Somaliland's Young Democracy Survives A Major Blow

June 15, 2008

EDITORIAL: Garowe Online

Extremism on all sides is characteristic of the conflict in south Somalia, but in the Somaliland region of the north, compromise was the cornerstone.

When the president of a democratic government receives a one-year term extension, rubberstamped by a house of parliament, the entire democratic process is thrown into a constitutional crisis. And while such a development presents a major blow to democratic rule, the moment also presents itself as an opportunity for opponents to resolve the crisis democratically through consultation and dialogue.

Such a political tremor was recently experienced in Somaliland, a self-declared independent republic in northern Somalia. Dahir Riyale, the Somaliland leader, received a one-year extension in addition to his four-year presidential term   last April, which was approved by the upper house (Guurti) of Parliament. Opposition parties Kulmiye and UCID – who have more elected MPs than the ruling UDUB party – issued statements condemning Mr. Riyale's term extension as "unconstitutional." Some opposition leaders threatened to not recognize Riyale's presidency after May 15, when presidential elections were originally scheduled to be held.

To make matters worse, donor countries that have remained supportive of Somaliland's young democracy announced they will withhold $8 million intended to fund the voter registration process until a political solution is reached in Hargeysa, the separatist republic's seat of power and Somalia's second-largest city. Throughout May and into early June, Somaliland's leadership and opposition parties held extensive meetings to resolve the political crisis. While President Riyale maintained that the term   extension is constitutionally legal, opposition leaders demanded an election.

On June 9, representatives from Somaliland's three political parties announced a comprehensive agreement had been signed setting the date of the next presidential election   for 6 April 2009. Undoubtedly, local residents and members of the Diaspora welcomed the agreement as an amiable solution to a crisis that could have taken a sinister turn. After all, Somaliland is still part of Somalia, a Horn of Africa country torn apart by decades of clan violence and insurgent attacks.

Extremism on all sides is characteristic of the conflict in south Somalia, but in the Somaliland region of the north, compromise was the cornerstone of negotiations to resolve the political dispute. Politicians in Hargeysa did not order loyal clan militia to militarily challenge Riyale's rule, but they placed the government under intense political pressure.

While the endless violence in Mogadishu has tarnished the Somalis' image on the world stage, the civility and political maturity of Somalis in the northern enclave of Somaliland must be a source of pride for   the country's war-battered citizenry. If anything, Somaliland has proven that the Somali people can resolve their own problems among themselves.

But in southern Somalia, foreign meddling has helped fuel the flames of a raging fire.

Garowe Online Editorial, editorial@garoweonline.com