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By
Fowzi Kamal
Somalilanders elected Dahir Riyale as their first elected president
after a long-drawn-out contested election of 2003. The people of
Somaliland entrusted Mr. Riyale with the crucial task of ushering the
road to a real change based on fairness and justice among the people
both in social and economic development, furthermore, to distribute
meager resources in all regions, districts, and villages throughout
Somaliland equitably. However, after competing his elected five years
term and two unconstitutional extensions totaling seven years in power,
the president and his ministers squandered and used the limited revenues
collected from the poor as regressive taxation and allowed big companies
and proprietors to avoid paying their fair share of taxes for their own
personal and political gains. The president has nothing much to show of
tangible and concrete achievements while in power. The administration in
their briefings and press releases often argues that they accomplished a
great deal in terms of democratization and good governance and always
sates and stress that three consecutive elections were held while in
power. But, often fell short to state the fact that it was their
responsibility and national obligation to hold those elections and not
as political expediency. As such the most anticipated second
presidential election would have been held after the first five years
term of his presidency expired as delineated in the constitution.
Peace and stability that endured in Somaliland for the last nineteen
years was not a product of this administration, but rather a continuum
of processes that lasted for more than twenty years and included an
armed struggle, genuine reconciliation among the clans initiated by the
victorious Somali National Movement (SNM), the Council of Elders GUURTI
and the establishment of durable public institutions by the two
preceding administrations. It is well established fact that the current
administration was elected with all means of governance in place
including strong military and police force to maintain peace and
stability to continue its mandate. However, as of today and with the
lapse of long seven years in power the Somaliland Armed Forces has no
rank and seniority to execute their national duties to defend the
country. It is mystifying to many people why the president has allowed
his military forces to be without ranks, although he is the commander in
chief.
If the hard fought peace and stability that distinguished Somaliland
from Southern Somalia for nineteen years is lost at the behest of Riyale
and his administration and should his administration goes ahead with its
presidential election without the full participation of all political
parties and attested voter registration in Somaliland, a well thought
case ought to be filed at Huge the seat of the International Criminal
Court (ICC), spear headed by Somaliland Diaspora against the Government
of Dahir Riyale for thwarting democratic processes, violating of
International Human Rights, and ushering Somaliland to abyss.
After completing his full term of office and subsequent two extensions,
it is apparent that the Riyale Administration is adamant about staying
in power to exploit any plausible tactic. Henceforth, it is incumbent
upon the Somaliland Diaspora to sought and petition for the support of
their respected elected politicians round the world to facilitate them
to file a strong case against the Riyale Administration in order to
bring him at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face charges if
violence and disorder reign in Somaliland after nineteen years of
stability due to his penchant for power an means necessary and
belligerent and dictatorial tendencies.
Not long ago, the whole world had witnessed the then contested Kenyan
election of December 2007 and its violent aftermath. Currently, the
International Criminal Court (ICC) is perusing to press charges but,
waiting for the Kenyan government to establish special tribunals to take
legal action against those politicians accused of masterminding and
behind the violence that brought mayhem and destruction to many
properties and the death of more than 1500 people.
The Government of Somaliland and its leaders ought to be cognizant of
the consequences of their defiance to held free and fair elections using
the voter registration list regardless of its limitations. The just
completed and published voter registration list by Interpeace it the
only feasible way that would facilitate a verifiable free and fair
election results free of rigging. If the government goes ahead with it
is unwarranted plan and held the impending presidential election without
full and unhindered participation of all political parties contesting
it, would undeniably cause a rebellion among the disenfranchised
citizens, and the outcome would undoubtedly bring turmoil, violence, and
chaos not only in Somaliland but throughout the Horn of African region.
The peace and stability that the people of Somaliland had forged and
protected for nineteen years is momentous than appeasing one man
dictatorship and his cohorts who would like to see it destroyed by any
means doable. The Riyale government is tirelessly working to provoke the
people of Somaliland towards utter destruction and forcing them to act
in an undesirable manner to facilitate him to declare that Somaliland is
in state of disorder and chaos to enable his administration to extend
his unlawful stay in power.
The opposition parties should not compromise with the fundamental
constitutional issues that would undermine their credibility and that of
the country. Under no circumstances should the opposition consent a
compromise that would allow the president to stay in office after the
second extension expires on September 27 2009, and execute the recent
agreement among the three political parties. In light of the above
matter it is unwise for the opposition to consent a third extension if
the international mediators exert pressure on them. The most prudent way
to go ahead after September 27, 2009 and held free and fair presidential
election is to appoint a care taker government to allow an equal
opportunity and plain field for all presidential aspirants.
If Riyale and his administration continue their typical unyielding
position as far as this election is concerned, he must take into account
that he and only he should bear the full responsibility of any perilous
consequences resulting from such fraudulent and concocted election. The
Riyale administration is creating and sawing the seeds of general and
discontent fear among the people of Somaliland to support his agenda to
stay in power indefinitely which is unacceptable to political parties,
peace loving world and all Somalilanders.
Riyale should keep in mind that the watchful eyes of all Somalilanders
inside and outside the country and that of the international community
is watching upon his actions and the manner in which he reaches a just
resolution for current constitutional crises in Somaliland in which he
is ultimately accountable for it.
Fowzi Kamal (fowzi2005@hotmail.com)
August 25, 2009
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