KULMIYE HAS FAILED ITS SUPPORTERS & SOMALILAND

The core philosophy of Kulmiye Party is “strengthening peace and unity of the people and interconnecting together all regions of the country”. This philosophy is one of the basic principles of the party. Has this principle been worked?

Kulmiye party was once in a position to lead the nation to independence and prosperity but no more. The disunity among the party leaders has become an instrument of self destruction so powerful that lead to the disarray and confusion of party creators. The competition for party leadership has become a catalyst to the collapse of the party from within. The old party leaders have lost a lot of their credibility and looking for something new and clean.

Silanyo`s obstinacy, his obsession of his educational and work experience, his love of power, and indecision has overshadowed his vision and his struggle for Somaliland Independence. Think of the Old Kulmiye Party and where it is today. Where are Silanyo’s old colleagues and his comrades? They are all in confusion state and wondering the earth quake taken over them.

Silanyo has forgotten his party’s core philosophy and caused the loss of the credibility of the party as well as his. Instead of building the unity among party members and regions, he has chosen the old fashioned politics of divide and rule based on his ill-conceived ideas from his old boss: Syad Barre. Silanyo has been blinded and deafened by his obsession of his work and educational experience and also his selfishness and love of power. 

All his deeds indicate that he is working against the wish of the people of Somaliland – Sovereignty. The turmoil he caused in the party has caused his comrades and many supporters to leave the party. The present crisis in the party gives us the best shot we have ever had of doing something about this, because it is not a healthy characteristic of Somaliland politics.

Since the opening of the candidacy of the VP and chairspersons in the party hierarchy, various clans have been fighting for the positions. Political parties in general are expected to be able to accommodate the will of the citizen for more effective rules and peaceful political conditions. This is the most fundamental task of a political party. In order to perform that political role, political parties are required to carry out recruitment process to find out candidates for party positions.

The success of the recruitment process will determine the fate of the party. By this argument, it is an obligation for the political party to carry out strict selection process for the candidates. This is a task to be done by the party leaders. However, recent events show the failure of Kulmiye Party in performing its basic function. One of the negative impacts is the political climate that is packed with competition among the candidates. As a result, Kulmiye Party ignored the public interest. The recruitment process had no transparency.

On the other hand, the elected candidates seemed not to care enough whether they are suitable enough to become a candidate, and whether their presence have impaired the Party’s system. The impression seems that they only care about their personal interest. Sylanyo only perceives Kulmiye Party is his own personal mobilization, not as a vehicle to fight for the sake of public’s interest. The reality shows that Silanyo does not seem to care about the candidates’ qualities and credibilities.

Many supporters think Silanyo must be responsible for what has happened and would like some new blood and want to see new people to lead the party. New people and new democracy are in demand because of the diminished party support. Many supporters see a rare opportunity in all the misfortune; a chance to overhaul the party business. Those leaders, including Abdi Biihi, who are still lingering around Silanyo are warned to think of their political future and think otherwise before they are tainted more.

There is no doubt there is some room in the other parties for the disgruntled members to join and the other parties would like to benefit from the misfortunes of Kulmiye Party. There are all indications many supporters are turning away from the party, all see as part of a leadership that failed to avoid Party’s worst political crisis. The timing of the misfortunes will cost the party the presidential election and finally its existence.

It is important to perform the Kulmiye Party’s recruitment process since it holds an important part in establishing a more democratic party and also a more favourable political situation. Political parties are expected to set up their candidates through open and participatory recruitment process. This will open the possibility of regeneration for qualified candidates that have high credibility and dedication to fight for public’s interest. Besides, it is required to open the access for public to control the recruitment process.

Mohamed Mousa  -  Ottawa

Email: markhati@yahoo.com