Moving the Goal Posts Yet Again By Abdirahman Abdulkadir Farah, Deputy Chair of Kulmiye
Now we know! Do I dare to say, I told you so? Do I congratulate myself for prescience? Do I curse, denounce or cast aspersions on those who chose not to heed the warning from our side. No! I shall be charitable and forgiving; and shall confine myself to pointing out several pertinent facts about our latest political crisis, and hopefully delineate a way forward.
Being in denial is an unfortunate state of mind, which even the best and the brightest among us sometimes succumb to as a refuge from a seemingly unpleasant reality. It is however a strictly temporary state, simply because reality has a nasty habit of catching up with us much sooner than we would like or expect. The day of reckoning is never far off, and for Somaliland it's here and now.
Except for the pathologically gullible, the deliberately dishonest and the political knaves of whom there are too many, the nation can now witness and behold the reality which it hitherto strived to ignore: Mr. Dahir Riyaale Kahin has and never had any intention of holding a free and fair election. For him the registration process, which the international community and the people of Somaliland has invested so much effort and resources, has been a delaying tactic and a convenient means of staving off an election that he was bound to lose. It afforded him an extra 18 months amounting to more than one-third of a presidential term won under dubious circumstances. And when Interpeace finally delivered the much-awaited voter list he has conveniently cried foul and rejected the whole project.
Mr. Riyaale and his co-conspirators in the Commission are making the ludicrous claim that a free for all and no-holes-barred election where rigging on a massive scale is absolutely guaranteed is somehow preferable to an election based on a carefully crafted, but by no means perfect system, where rigging, multiple voting and other potential abuses are wholly avoidable. As my teenage nephew would say, which planet is the guy on?
It is worth pointing out that the sordid decision to annul the registration process was not supported by the whole Commission but a faction led by the chair and the vice-chair both of whom serious charges of impartiality, lack of integrity and even corruption have been made. Theirs was no more and no less than an attempt to save themselves from further scrutiny and probable expulsion from NEC. Of the other gormless two in the faction, the less said about them the better.
In his apparent attempt to hold an election of sorts without registration, Mr. Riyaale has in effect broken the law, which he so often claims to champion. Some champion, indeed! The Voter Registration Law 2007, Articles 30 and 41 of the same Act and other amendments to the 2002 Law passed by the parliament recently make voter card mandatory and any citizen without such a card has forfeited their right to vote.
Since Mr. Riyaal's decision, aided and abetted by a faction of NEC, has no basis in law, it is not binding on anyone and can be safely ignored. Simple as that! Don't take my word for it; heed the legal opinion of Mr. Ibrahim Hashi Jama, the foremost authority and legal expert par excellence, on Somaliland law and its constitution.
In his clumsy attempt to avoid the merciless verdict of the much put upon people of Somaliland, Mr. Riyaale has antagonized, insulted and abused the donors and much of the international community on whose goodwill, support – politically as well as financial – Somaliland is entirely dependent. He should be reminded that although his personal coffers are bursting at the seams, Somaliland can ill-afford to be forsaken by the international community. Furthermore, contrary to the norms of hospitality, decency and general friendliness for which Somaliland prides herself, Mr. Riyaale has behaved abominably to Mr. Rubin Zamora. His expulsion was an act of unforgivable vindictiveness, and the looting of his personal property a shameful act that has sullied the name and reputation of a whole nation. How low can one get!
To rescue our democracy, national interest and reputation which have been undermined by this latest episode Somaliland and its institutions must act in unison with courage and fortitude. They must not shy away from strong and decisive remedial actions which the current situation demands.
Firstly, the opposition parties, Kulmiye and UCID, must unequivocally reject Mr. Riyaale's latest, but by no means last, machinations and reaffirm their commitment to free and fair election made possible by the recently completed registration process. They must avoid at all cost the siren calls of would be mediators, soothsayers and seekers after shabby compromises, who more often than not serve the interest of the culprit, Riyaale, rather than that of the nation.
Parliament must for once find its backbone and exercise its constitutional role, not only as the legislator, but also as the guardian and protector of the integrity of the legislation which parliament itself has enacted. Since Mr. Riyaale has blatantly and deliberately broke the law, the only recourse open to parliament is to initiate urgently the required proceedings for his impeachment. Failure to act thus would be tantamount to an unforgivable dereliction of duty and a moral cowardice of the highest order. If honorable members concerned are unable or unwilling to discharge their clearly defined duty, they might as well spare us the expense of their upkeep, shut shop and go home.
Finally, it is worth noting that democratization and concomitant good governance is not an option but an imperative for Somaliland. Her peace, prosperity and eventual recognition are all dependent on the success of such endeavor. Like its many counterparts in Africa democracy often fails not because of inherent shortcomings of the people, but of the machinations and the authoritarian tendencies of leaders such as Mr. Riyaale and his ilk.
With this in mind we appeal to the Democratization Steering Committee, to the donors and to the international community in general not to curtail or suspend their involvement and engagement with Somaliland and its people who have nothing put gratitude and goodwill for them. Rather they must reaffirm their commitment and dedication to a nascent and rather fragile democratization process badly in need of support and sustenance. For this, Somaliland and its people would be immensely grateful.
Abdirahman Abdulkadir Farah
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