Somaliland's Successful Council Election

Somaliland citizens, both at home and abroad, are breathing a sigh
of relief that the contentious council election concluded peacefully
and democratically. This election marked the second council election
in Somaliland and the fifth direct vote since 2002. The election
involved 7 political organizations, 23 districts across 6 regions,
1,900 polling stations, and nearly 2,500 candidates. Thousands of
Somaliland citizens came out peacefully and participated in gigantic
rallies throughout the country. Although diverse groups were
campaigning for their respective political organization, they
nevertheless gave equal respect and hospitability to all competing
political organizations. After cautious counting, the Committee for
the Registration of Political Associations and the Approval of
National Parties in Somaliland approved three National Political
Parties; namely, Kulmiye, WADDANI, and Ucid. The remaining four
political organizations (Umada, Rays, Xaqsoor, and Dalsan) have
conceded defeat.
More than fifty international observers from neighboring as well as
distance countries, who monitored the election on Wednesday, have
formally declared that Somaliland citizens casted their votes
peacefully and democratically. They have hailed the election free
and fair and complimented Somaliland leaders for their determined
efforts to conduct the election. Dr Michael Walls, International
Election Observer’s joint co-coordinator, says that “Somaliland has
made enormous progress in achieving a difficult transition to a form
of representative democracy. [T]hese elections are an important next
step in the institutionalisation of a system that brings together
representative democratic institutions with traditional social
organisational structures. Not only will they decide the personnel
who will be responsible for municipal councils in the coming years,
but they will determine the three political parties who will contest
parliamentary and presidential elections for the next decade.”
A deluge of congratulatory messages have begun pouring in from
across the globe. Even the ardent Somaliland foes affirmed
publically and privately the democratic and peaceful manner in which
Somalilanders conducted their election to the extent of recommending
and urging other Somalis to follow-suit. This irrefutably
demonstrates, once more, that Somaliland is indeed an icon of
democracy in the Horn and “Africa’s best kept secret,” to borrow
Iqbal Jhazbhay’s phrase. Therefore, I would like to take this
opportunity to extend my hearty congratulations to my fellow
Somaliland citizens for their civility, wisdom and, above all,
political maturity.
Regardless of the election outcome, we need to realize that we are
all winners due to the fact that each and every Somaliland citizen’s
participation in the election have strengthened and enhanced not
only the augmentation of our democracy, but also elevated our image
around the world. On the one hand, it has equipped our citizens the
experience and the self-reliance needed to participate in mass
election and, on the other hand, it has deepened our citizens’
awareness, cooperation, and tolerance. The uniqueness of this
election deserves indebt research and analyzes due to its
manifestation of an indigenous democracy imbedded in Somaliland
culture, which I would surely attempt to undertake.
For now, let us unite and move on. The long days and weeks that had
been devoted to listening speeches, rallies, campaigning, standing
long queues, and striving to convince your friends, family and
acquaintances to join your respective political organization bears
fruit. We need to consider the implications of the new political
parties and local councilors. Our new elected council members from
all parties and all regions should strive to enhance and improve the
conditions of their respective local constituents, e.g., safety,
economy, health, education, infrastructure, etc. In order to attain
this objective, the newly elected leaders need to make a sincere
effort to reach across the aisle by making compromises with those of
the opposing party. Although this is not an easy task to undertake,
it is nevertheless crucial for the development of our beloved
county.
Abdi Hussein Daud, a PhD in Education candidate at Northcentral
University. He can be reached at:
abdihdaud@yahoo.com
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