Yassin Abdillahi Ahmed

Prospective president Faisal Ali Warabe; is among the three candidates who are vying for the forthcoming election but who have not been interrogated by the media hitherto.

Politics will not only be about character, integrity and commitment to public service, but image, too, will play a vital role.

He has never been familiar in the era of liberation; mostly he was working in Mogadishu and the south at large

To be fair, when the country was burning Faisal; was among the kings who diligently contributed the hard and tedious work of reconciliations with stamina, and without stress and strain. He risked his live on various occasions by shuttling two antagonists in “a no mans land”, without doubt, the rivals were suspicious with full of innuendo, witch-hunt and cat and mouse game.

In August 2001 he formed Justice and Welfare party widely known UCID

In local Government election December 2002, UCID was the third at the contest and then it became the third party of Somaliland.

On 2003 presidential elections UCID has ended third party far behind the other two.

It obtained only 16% of the eligible votes but subsequent to parliamentary election it has made unanticipated edge of votes and it hard won 21 out of 82 seats. Additionally it expanded its base from west to east.

Faisal was a frontline antagonist of the tribal politics, corruption and maladministration and true to his words he proved that he is implacable foe of corruption.

Though UCID leader seems determined to eliminate corruption but he is yet to inform his fabulous ideas the public so far.

Some occasions Faisal seems allergic those who differ or criticize but as a potential head of state with a 3.5 million population which are poor but proud. He must now find bank of tolerance, that uncommon asset essential to leadership.

On the Somali stage he attracts admiration and hate with equal over his political believes.

His political positions made unionists tireless but will he continue fierce battle if he ascends to power?

To win the minds and hearts of the voters specially the youth, Faisal needs to put in place an outstanding national team with high caliber and distinct backgrounds. Indeed, the communication front which is one of the most important fronts in any election campaign is currently falling short. The current occupant of UCID spokesman is ill-equipped to carry his work diligently but it is not late thus far.

Paul Kagame recently appeared the list of 100 most influential people in the world. According to “Time magazine” they affect the world for better or worse.

The quotation’s modus operandi was based: his acclaimed reconciliation strategy, visionary leadership, insistence on self-reliance and his zero-tolerance on corruption. His commitment to meritocracy in government appointments is notable, especially the empowerment of women in leadership but if Faisal ascends the most powerfull chair in Somaliland will he join the polished presidents like Paul Kagame, Abdulawade, Jackaye kekewete or he will join leage of corrupt leaders like Robert Mugabe, Meles Zenawi.

Most of the populace is uninformed what Faisal or UCID Party stands for, so as he starts his presidential quest, Faisal will have to clarify what he is for and what he is not.

Somaliland’s Per capita income was estimated at US$250 in 2004, which lower than that of Kenya (350) and Tanzania (280), but higher than in Eritrea (US$190) and Ethiopia (us100). More than half of population lives below the poverty line (i.e. less than us$1 per day) but main question is: will he turn the tables and transform the country’s socio-economic status or his presidency will be the continuation of current status quo?

The figures however reveal large geographic disparities, with per capita income ranging from about us$201 to 350. In addition, the figures show clear urban-rural disparities, with urban population far better off than their rural counterparts.

But the major question will be: how he will address the inequalities of rural-urban?

Today much of Africa continent is on the move and is in a hurry, after a half century of little change a new sense of urgency is felt as the undeveloped nations seek to make up some of the leeway with the move developed countries of the world.

But the reality of our country is different for the other part of the continent only 35% of aged pupils are lucky enough to reach schools worst enough, the death of maternal mortality rate in our country is high though it is decreasing. In 1997, 1,600 out of every 100,000 women giving birth were estimated to die in Somaliland. In 2006 the rate was 1,044 per 100,000 that is the stark certainty whom the winner will face but does Faisal has capacity, willpower to increase the rate of pupils going to school and the rate of maternity death?

Ethiopia and Somaliland have been enjoying progressive and positive relations for more than 17 years. For many Somali Landers, the Ethiopia relations was/is paramount since the Arab World neglected the Somaliland case and even refused to listen – let alone to reward what many described the “Africa’s best kept secret” while others called “the little country that could”. But will he extend the already existing relation or he will change the track?

Even though, Faisal is: energetic, strong-minded and go-getting but as he begins his journey to the presidency, Faisal will have to clarify numerous issues and the ball is in his court. Time is his side as the election is nearing.

Yassin Abdillahi Ahmed, Hargeysa – Somaliland

Yassin_abdillahi@hotmail.com

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