Hargeysa, April 19, 2009 - On April 16, 17 and 18, 2009 the two opposition political parties in Somaliland UCUD and KULMIYE met for intensive consultations. The meetings took place in a dangerous environment in which the Somaliland Government has embarked on the perilous path of Africa’s law of the jungle; of criminalizing political opposition and perpetuating its hold on power. The leaders of both opposition political parties have been physically and personally threatened with death, public demonstrations have been outlawed and the government have resorted to direct threats of action against the opposition if they fail to submit.
UCID and KULMIYE met in these hazardous circumstances. Together they reached a consensus that they will not intimidated by government of Rayaale, they will remain vigilant for the rights of the people and they would protect the peace, justice and democracy in Somaliland. In making these essential commitments to the people of Somaliland the two opposition political parties have made it crystal clear that they are ready for dialogue with the government in power at any time and in any place. And furthermore they have extended an olive branch to the government t in the first point of their communiqué in which they take an implied position of accepting or at least being willing to accept the 6 month delay in the presidential elections as approved by the GUURTI (Elder’s House) in Somaliland. Warkamaanta.com brings a translation of these 6 points that has the potential of saving our democracy and our stability but only if we rally around this document and give life
UCID & KULMIYE Communiqué of April 18, 2009
1 We (KULMIYE and UCID) are ready to participate in Somaliland’s Presidential elections in 2009
2 We (KULMIYE and UCID) believe that the central determinant of any political action we take political action is now and will remain to be in the future for the single purpose of preserving, strengthening and guarding the peace and stability of our nation.
3 We believe that defending the constitution of Somaliland is absolutely essential for the survival of our nation and for the preservation of our peace and the stability of our state. Our two parties believe that our constitution guarantees for all the citizens the freedom of public demonstration and public expression. This is clearly and unambiguously encoded in Section 9: articles 31, 32 33, 35 and 36 of the constitution of this republic. These are not only rights guaranteed by the constitution but also an obligation and a duty for the state and for all Somaliland citizens to defend and preserve. The “edict” of the current administration of Somaliland that prohibits all public demonstration is direct assault on the constitution of this nation. KULMIYE and UCID will not allow the dismantling of the constitution one article at a time. This constitution is the peace and the stability of this nation. KULMIYE and UCID are willing and capable of defending the peace, stability and constitution of the nation
4 UCID and KUMIYE condemn the recent attacks of the government of Somaliland on the leadership of opposition political leaders. We believe that these actions are directed at criminalizing political activity and as a result destabilizing this society. This is a grave challenge to this nation’s peace and stability. Chief among regrettable behaviour is shooting at KULMIYE Party leader Mohamed Silanyo as he peacefully marched to his home in the company of his supporters. And the publicly made death-threat directed at UCID party leader Faisal Ali Waraabe by a senior security official of the state. It is
unfortunate that the government of the day has taken no action, brought no one to book and made no statement on these issues leaving the clear impression in the public mind, perhaps intentionally, that these peace-threatening actions are indeed government sanctioned violence.
5 We urge Somaliland’s Electoral Commission and its international partner Interpeace to commit on a specified date that they will announce the Final List of the Electorate that will emerge from the technical process of their centralized servers. Such a certainty is essential for the peace and stability of this nation.
6 UCID and KUMIYE have reached the consensus that that term of office of the current government of Somaliland elapses on May 5th, 2009. To prevent miscommunication and political instability we urge the government of Somaliland to an all party conference that will agree upon and illuminate the way forward of the nation at this critical juncture in its history.

 

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