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By
Yassin Hassan Abdillahi
Somaliland’s infant Democracy is on the brink of collapse! The
courageous people of Somaliland have been betrayed by few of Siyad
Barre’s disciples. These thugs who never believed in the independence of
Somaliland have simply taken charge of Somaliland.
These are the people who were at the forefront of the destruction of the
country when Barre’s military was waging indiscriminate warfare against
the people of Somaliland.
Their participation of the genocide on the Issaq People is well
documented. Now, they are at it again! They are sowing the seed for
another civil war, because that is what they know best. And they believe
nothing will happen to them, after all no one held them accountable for
the gruesome crimes they have committed in the past.
The president’s abuse of power is beyond comprehension and to add insult
to an injury, we have a parliament who is incapable to hold him
accountable for his actions. IT IS A GRAVE SITUATION AND IN MY OPINION
THE STAKES FOR OUR NATION ARE HIGH. The truth is that no one is above
the Law and if we allow Riyale to violate, ignore and blatantly
disregard the constitution, then God help us all!
Thousands of Somalilanders have paid the highest price, their life, for
the democracy and freedom we have been enjoying for the last 18 years.
But If Riyale and his henchmen have their way, we are going to loose our
democracy and with that our dignity.
The constitution requires president Riyale to follow and enforce all the
laws enacted by the legislative body, whether he agrees with them or
not. Failure to obey the law leads to grounds for impeachment. Now
rumors are spreading like wildfire that Riyale is fulfilling Mr. Ismail
Omar Gelleh’s hidden agenda to destroy Somaliland once and for all,
which if it is true is unlawful heinous act of treason. The people of
Somaliland remain as poor, uneducated, and unhealthy as ever and instead
of putting the money earned from the collection of revenues into
transparent government account and using the proceeds for social
services, Riyale chose to hoard the money into secret accounts he
personally controls in Djibouti and France. If the poor people of
Somaliland ravaged by one of the worst droughts are dying by the
thousands, Riyale does not care. Instead of solving the country’s
current problems and quelling the growing inter-clan conflicts he chose
to attack the House of Representatives. He ordered the police force
siege on the parliament, preventing members of the parliament from
entering. Then, thousands of angry protesters have taken to the streets
demanding the reopening of the parliament. Police forces opened fire and
gun down thousands of peaceful protesters with no reservations, which
lead to the killing of at least three unarmed protesters. Nonetheless,
Riyale is responsible of the massacre of these innocent people. This was
an attempt to subvert the democratic process in Somaliland by a group
that hopes to gain power through violence. Some politicians who are
power, position and privilege seekers are often behind those who stoke
the flames of tribal conflict, particularly in El-Berdaleh.
The magnitude of the poverty is unimaginable which creates powerlessness
among the citizens and that is why he was able to make people
competition over meager resources which will easily lead to tensions and
civil unrest. This country urgently needs a sensible leadership who will
fight against poverty, illiteracy, and underdevelopment .We cannot
afford another 7 years of mistrust and underdevelopment.
Somaliland has been facing a political crisis ever since he started
playing delaying tactics of presidential election which should have been
held in April last year. President Riyal’s term expired more than one
year ago, calling in to question his legitimacy to run the country in
the meantime. The incompetent electoral Commission insisted that the
second presidential election in Somaliland will take place 27th of
September this year. Yes, the electoral commission is statutory body set
up by Somaliland constitution in 2000 to oversee the democratic process
and in particular to promote integrity, involvement, and effectiveness
in our democracy. But, they only work by guidelines set out by the
Somaliland constitution so if there are any breaches or flaw within the
commission then it is down to the initial setting process. It is crystal
clear that the current Electoral commission cannot fulfill its
responsibilities efficiently, impartially and professionally, because
they are not independent from the control of the authority of the
President and its members are subject to too much government
intervention.
The president’s term has expires September 27 and the only acceptable
solution is Riyale to relinquish power a caretaker government chosen
among all three parties until elections can be held. In my opinion a
provisional administration should be chosen and an acting president
appointed by the decision of all political parties and House of
Representatives, it will then go before the Guurti to pass/approve the
agreement reached by all sides.
From 27 of September this year if there is no presidential Election in
the Motherland, then every single decree issued by Riyale’s
administration is illegitimate and any decision he makes is null and
void. He has no right to run the country after that date. Let’s hope
this will be the end of Siyad Barre’s disciples in Somaliland and we
will overcome. On the other hand, our neighboring countries policy
objectives should support good governance, democratic institutions and
respect for the rule of law so that there will be a healthy and an
enabling environment in which the people of Somaliland can thrive and
achieve their full potential.
Take care in advance,
Yassin Hassan Abdillahi
London, UK
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