KULMIYE AND UCID, WHO NEEDS WHO?

It was heart warming to see Mudane Siilaanyo, KULMIYE party chair, welcome Mudane Faisal Ali Warabe, chair of UCID, upon the latter’s return to Somaliland. It was a good example of fraternal spirit and friendship. But, the question remains, who needs who at this time and at this stage in the Somaliland political arena? No doubt, KULMIYE is the larger party with a higher profile, but ever since Mudane Siilanyo’s recent damaging remarks concerning his continued belief in a “federal Somalia”, KULMIYE has been haemorrhaging support and momentum.

Most Somalilanders are impressed by KULMIYE’s ability to put on a great show in Manchester, or the United States of America, but aside from parts of Hargeisa, Gabiley and Burco, is KULMIYE truly a national party?

UCID has distanced itself from Mudane Siilaanyo’s comments of “federalism”, and there is no doubt that first and foremost, that Mudane Faisal is a strong believer in Somaliland’s sovereignty and independence, but judging by the embrace between the two political leaders in Hargeisa, recently, the body language clearly indicates that KULMIYE needs UCID, more than UCID needs KULMIYE, at this present time.

It is unlikely that Mudane Silaanyo would embrace President Rayale, in political terms, on personal terms; I don’t think the relationship is not so poisonous.

But, at this stage in the Somaliland political arena, exchanging a hug with Mudane Silaanyo can be construed as the “kiss of death” politically. Socially, it is a wonderful, gesture of fraternity and brotherhood.

C. M. Abokor

Email: ruraledcomm@yahoo.co.uk