August 4, 2008

Does Somaliland Voter Registration policy Intentionally Snub the Diaspora and Nomads? By Noah Arre

A Somali saying goes “nabad iyo caano” and literally translated, it means “peace and milk”. This is because traditionally, the daily lives of the Somalis depended on their livestock and having plenty of milk (livestock) was a sign of wealth and prosperity. And of course supplementing that with peace meant that everything one hoped for was in his/her hands….hence the prayers….nabad iyo caano!

Unfortunately, for many reasons, including the repression of the military regime and the subsequent civil war, Somalis lost everything and sadly, the country was reduced to ruins… a nightmare that to date continues in southern Somalia. And the nabad iyo caano which Somalis had always prayed for and valued dearly for centuries were/are out of the reach of many!

Fortunately, in Somaliland, by the end of the 80’s, of course after massive death, destruction and displacement, the country’s elders who traditionally preserved and nurtured peace and stability took charge. And with the help of the country’s political elite, intellectuals and the public both peace and stability (nabad iyo xasiloonaan) were again re-established!

Today, despite over seventeen lonely years as no nation recognizes Somaliland, hardships and suffering; despite hunger and debilitating poverty due to a grueling 90% unemployment, the public respects law and order and remains loyal to them. In fact, apart from occasional uproars and haphazard disturbances, it (public) prefers hunger and poverty to the re-visit of the nightmares it went through during the eighties. This is a huge civil and social maturity on the part of the public. However, its (public) aspirations to enjoy the dividends of that by achieving caano (prosperity), to date remain elusive!

In addition to that impressive achievement, by October 2008, reports say Somaliland will realize another milestone; a milestone that is rare and in fact alien to the Horn of Africa. And according to the reports, come October 2008, theoretically every citizen of the country will be issued a national identity card.

And assuming this materializes, it will be another victory for Somaliland and a dream come true simply because to this day, anyone in the country, even if he/she is not a Somali, can claim citizenship and accordingly claim his/her citizen’s rights. But once this ID is realized, it will establish an identity of Somaliland citizens making the country a state, with a defined boundary and a defined population. Thumbs up for Somaliland for striving to achieve this milestone!

However, in its quest of that, it is extremely important that Somaliland respects the rights of all. And it will certainly be a crime if anyone is denied that simply because he/she has no one to protect his/her rights. In fact, if Somaliland is honest in its claims of democracy, equality and fraternity, no one should be denied his/her inalienable rights. If he/she is “simply because he/she is a minority or his/her clan does not hail from this or from that Region in big numbers.”, it will be an insult to Somaliland…. the public knows who lived next door for centuries and should respect that!

In another similar case, according to official reports, financed by the European Union, every Somaliland citizen will soon be issued a voter registration card (ID). But only holders of those IDs will be eligible to vote in the 2009 presidential and/or local elections. To me, despite its inherent weaknesses that must be addressed and rectified, this second issue too has its merits. However, in one of its weakness, for instance, over 60% of Somaliland society is nomadic and hundreds if not thousands cross the boundaries on daily basis simply because they have to move their livestock in search of water and better pasture.

So, the question is what provisions do law makers, the government, the Gurti and electoral commission or others involved in the voter registration process have established for a society that is this mobile?

And according to the voter registration provisions, a potential voter (A) will only vote at a polling station (B) where he/she is registered in District (G). And if for some reason or another, he/she is at elsewhere on the voting day, he/she cannot vote!

But while one can understand the need to restrict double voting, did those who approved this, ever think over the dangers involved especially in a country a huge number of whose population is always mobile? What answer(s) do they have for an innocent poor illiterate voter who walks miles only to find he/she is turned away from any one of his/her traditional polling stations? Isn’t this is a potentially disastrous move and a catastrophe waiting to happen? To me, it is a major drawback of the voter registration policy rules and regulations that were established and myopically approved.

On the other hand, there is another important group whom the voter registration policy places at a huge disadvantage. It is the Diasporas hundreds of thousands of who live and work overseas. And despite this group’s important role and place in the nation, most generally visit the country only occasionally. And in fact, few if any can afford to come there twice a year. Unfortunately, the voter registration policy requires all registrants to be physically present in Somaliland at least twice…one during the registration period and the other on the voting day. This is tantamount to denying the rights of this group…pure and simple!
Ironically:

1. It is the Diasporas, and the nomads of course who raise the livestock which is the backbone of the national economy, who support the whole country with its remittances that keep the nation afloat!

2. It is solely the Diasporas that support Somaliland at international forums.

3. It is also the Diasporas that bring private investments that generate employment to the country.

4. It is the Diasporas that support all communities across the nation by regularly sending money to their loved ones.

5. And it is the Diasporas that support all Regional development programs…. schools, universities, hospitals and other local programs. And so, that means without the sacrifices of this group (Diasporas), the whole country would have perished years ago especially since all international financial institutions are off the country’s limits during the last 17 plus years!

1. And strangely, with only 40% of the country’s population settled in towns and other settlements and hence may have a chance to vote under those tough conditions, how will the government justify the legitimacy of its elections results?

2. Doesn’t this mean that over 60% of the country’s population who ironically provide the nation’s economy, have their rights ignored?

3. It is right that the government gives priority to national identity (ID) since in today’s world who belongs to where is important. But why is the European Union’s prescription of voter registration at this difficult time for poor Somaliland few of whose people make ends meet, equally a priority?

4. With that same money, why Somaliland can’t request the European Union to finance national developmental programs that could give employment to thousands who had never had a pay check for over 17 years and badly need to support their families?

5. Why is the European Union indifferent to the country’s plight by denying it even trade links let alone recognition but is extremely committed to support the voter registration program?

6. Does the European Union know that over 70% of Somaliland people whose voter registration it insists or else…… do not even have the daily bread? And why it (EU) cannot spend that same money on other more noble developmental programs?

7. Why the Rayale Administration cannot address the stark realities of hunger, mass exodus, poverty and the sky rocketing food prices which Somalilanders face on daily basis and hence request the world for food assistance instead?

8. Can we say that Somaliland does not understand or does not worry about priorities?

9. Or is it indifferent to the people’s plight and cares only to get re-elected?

10. Is it for re-election purposes only that it divided the country into tribal Bantustans few of who are economically viable?

11. Why does Somaliland introduce voter registration at this most difficult time of Somaliland?

In short, I believe that it is important that Somaliland postpones this program. But if it cannot or does not want to, my appeal to it is:

It should avail its nomadic population all the means to register. And one way to do that could be extending the registration period; another could be to reach out to all those who are at a disadvantage by providing special status and/or a highly mobile registration stations. A third would be permitting the potential voter to vote at any of his/her traditional polling station even if that requires additional efforts and resources.

And when it comes to the Diaspora, my appeal is that they too must be given an especial status… a status in which they can come during the voting week, register and vote too. And if for one reason or another Somaliland fails to do so, then it should know that Somaliland intentionally ignores the rights of both groups… pure and simple!