What is missing in Somaliland political parties?

Abdirahman Ibrahim Abdilahi: The beauty of democracy is how the political parties exercise their right to freedom and that could be attained   on how these institutions deliver their responsibilities in representing their constituencies. However; the services provided by political parties in Somaliland do not please me and that could be attributed to many factors chief among them are traditions and norms that govern the political and democracy of this country. Following are commentary of points usually missed by the political parties in Somaliland.

The political parties in Somaliland have very much similar political beliefs and objectives (to attain political power within the government) but do not often espouse a certain ideology and vision to lift the country out of mess. Some of the political parties (kulmiye) for instances potray failed politicians who project them selves  as the  men of the masses, taking up the issues of the man of the street instead of clear political agenda with mission and another ( UCID)  do not even let the government criticized for core issues that unites or pull the people together but instead make sheer accusations based only in personal interest and hatred and think only more often how they would survive in the years to come.   Other (ruling party) drive people politically by using cheap tactics taking advantage of what they want rather than genuine political reality.

They oppose the ruling party simply for the sake of power but do not feel that they are free to criticize the government policies and provide or propose an alternative approach or view. The point missing in the political parties in Somaliland are they do not know even  that they have a role to play in keeping the public informed about issues relating to government administration and are not supposed to put personal hatred and groupings above everything else but must win the hearts and souls of every citisen in order to achieve a paradise of politics and that could be possible when the political party has an objective, vision, ideology and of course principles which a political party supports to appeal to the general public for the purpose of having said party’s candidates voted into office.

A Political philosophy is also missing which must be the driven force of the party and  one that raises public consciousness through workshops, public rallies  and  debates   in both print and electronic media. The party should have programme based on the philosophy held by the party and there are two different types of programmes i.e. programmes made on grounds of principle and working programmes. The former contain the general and fundamental beliefs whereas the latter is more specific and can be considered a working tool in the daily work.

The working programme accounts for the future political plans of the party within a specific number of areas relating to society and for that case party should seek support for its programes as programes are from the people by the people and for the people; having said that the party will have  an influence over the state of affairs be in the parliament (Guurti also included in this case) and if you don’t have that influence the existance of such party is in question and you have no excuse - none what so ever not to win them. It should have also links with similar parties in the neighboring countries and governments as it makes the difference in the local politics.

The party membres and the general public may  have concerns regarding every thing in the form of criticism but there must be tolerance and accepetance of the critics to make sure that mistakes are corrected  and the demands of the people are addressed adequately so that people feel that their concerns are felt and that rules of truth and evidence determine direction of the party and the government.

Abdirahman Ibrahim Abdilahi

Contact : Abdirahman119@hotmail.com