Democracy And Wisdom Has Worked Once Again in Somaliland.

Our people have hailed for the success of the negotiations on the presidential election date.  Somaliland and its endeavour to independence have the utmost priority and come before any special interest. We have seen that serious and honest dialogue among our people and political parties have saved us from the hostility and civil wars in Somalia. Negotiations and the wisdom of our people are the pillars of our success.
 
The same prepositions and terms negotiated by the Guurti and the election commission and which were rejected by the opposition parties who nearly wrecked our newborn and fragile democracy have once again surfaced. This time all parties have reached a verdict and common sense has prevailed. Our argument was why the opposition parties are running away from the reality and taking us to unchartered territories based on division and hate and not accepts the simple and clear verdict of the Guurti and Election Commission.  It has been always simple and we have not understood the reasons behind the oppositions’ rejection.

This last declaration is a copy of the original verdict of the Guurti and just states the Election Day, waiting for the results from the server, and getting a fare share from media outlets. Looking back into the old arguments from the opposition and seeing their position today is eyes opener for all of us. Our people have won this time in not listening to the special interest groups in our political parties. Our people have stayed on course and shown courage. We have all one thing in common and that is searching for full souvernity and recognition and resist the internal and external forces working against our independence. 

There are destructive forces in our political parties who think the disagreement among our people will work for them. Therefore we have to be vigilant and watch very closely to their actions and political rhetoric. There are very dangerous elements in our political parties. They convince themselves and believe that they are the “Mujaahidiin”. I believe that these people are on the wrong side of the history for we all paid a price for our independence. Many people have died in the struggle – those who died in the front, those who were caught in the middle and those who were killed by the liberators for revenge on not supporting their cause. I say to those people, “Death in this time of history is the same but causes are different.” They should not praise themselves every now and then and recreate the old sensitivities and grudges among our people. 

It is a fact that African freedom fighters seek an absolute power but in our case people outsmarted those liberators and chosen an unheard round-the-table discussion and full democracy over the absolute rule of power. We recognise our fallen comrades but we have to also recognise all fallen citizens for the sake of our freedom. People think that one can only be a Mujaahid by fighting in the front but all Somalilanders have been part of that war. Because of some of the economic realities in those days, many of our people have died of hunger, in collateral damage, of diseases, and from the revenge from the Mujaahidiin. To which cause of death do I contribute to that of my cousin who was brutally killed in his shop by some thieves and bloodthirsty SNM members. He was not an enemy to our cause but a good citizen who was trying to save his family. I believe he paid a prize for our freedom too and be recognized as such.

The rule of law has prevailed and we are once again on the road to freedom, democracy, and recognition. The enemies of our freedom have once again been defeated and their irrational behaviour is checked. The election document signed by all parties is a witness of the strength of people and be credited to them because of their patience in searching for our well deserved recognition and staying on the peaceful course paved by our elders and wise, sincere, and honest politicians.

We have to beware of those who think that they have the ultimate say on Somaliland politics and believe of being the only Mujaahidiin of long fought freedom. We need peaceful and respectful presidential campaign from those want to run for the Presidency and earn the respect and the votes of our people. Those politicians who play the old tactics of Somali politics are underestimating our people’s dislike of smear campaigning based on false propaganda and also their determination to fulfil their dream to have their own nation with full international recognition and respect among the nations of world.

The success of the negotiations goes to the President and the people who listened to his argument on the issue. He insisted all along the decisions made by the Guurti are genuine and fair and he will abide by it. On the contrary, the opposition’s argument was based power grabbing without respecting the due process. Finally the opposition has realized that their argument is not flying and not selling. In face saving, they came to the conclusion that they cannot hide behind false premises and hidden agenda. When they were exposed, they agreed on the same resolutions that they said were bias in the first place. They should be accountable of the success of this document that they have signed and not repeat the same old argument again.

By Mohamed Mousa

Ottawa, Canada

Email: markhati@yahoo.com