Democratic Vs Peace in Somaliland

Somalilandpress- It has been 18 years ago when Somaliland initiated peace and political stability in the country. Established government operating under unrecognized state, which was not an option but was fact, started to revive state institutions to delivery public service. Founding political landscape and formation of state apparatus were not properly structured toward long-term goals and even not paralleded recognision seeking efforts. Citizens had no capacity to comprehend model of government which reflected on individual benefit rather than national interest, and they often anticipated immediate recognition and prosperty so that most government hidden agendas were legitimate in eyes of ordinary citizens, those who accepted constitution which is tailored to prolonged elite in office. Despite all these, people determined to protect peace, meaning that as long as political tolerant and peaceful mean of resolution are intact, they are pleased and can overcome any arising issues.       
 
Ironically, people realized that peace is under threat in course of democratic process which can nether produce head of state nor protect existing peace in country. Then, nation’s destination is in a shadow and speculation of country collapse in horizon since some people started to feel panic that election would bring crises rather than recognision. The question immediately jumps to one’s mine is weather traditional way of peace mechanism can be a option in order to prevent violent conflict and power struggle or state destruction, the answer remained unconventional and ambiguity. Others have valid argument to oppose democratic process in the county saying that enough is enough as suffered a lot, last two years of election which pause development, including daispora investment, tourism and foreign aid flows to country because all types of investors and similar projects are in hold position watch and see positions.

Though people unanimously agreed parliamentary in 2005 could be considered as ‘fair election’ but democratic elected members ended up with their term in touring abroad, ceremonial speech – they not only neglect their constituency demand for better service but they also refused go back to villager, districts and regions to stay sit-in dusty towns to highlight the plight of the poor. To presidential election, despite its suspicious of fraud, produced current leader, Dahir Rayale who has been administering the country based on identity politics; his will was or is the constitution and there is no distinction line between his pocket and nations treasure – he come across more like an ordinary man who usually manage his private home not act as head of republic.

 Democratic era has been characterized by vagrant and fragile state, leave alone development, but devastated vast amount of country’s asset, thus, contributing to poverty, political canvas, adversely affecting on minds of thousands of Somalilanders, as to weaken rationality and mutual interest but rather create harter, political bias and party dogmantism, lack of constitionalism and social fabric and deterioting of public sector and bad governance, and eroding traditional nation building system. The crises of today peace is perhaps best embodied by recent incident in Ceel-bardale – land dispute between Gabiley and Borama – that  could not be resolved by both traditional ways and government though blame rested squarely with president’s delayed actions. Various groups rescued and are united to end this incident only by lack of focus or approach to employ, and, this is symptom of dysfunctional of traditional conflict resolution mechanism and lack of substitute.

In many ways clan approach has become a victim of its own success. Public anger and frustration will be witnessed if grand clan conference is raised, at same time; clan is basic political unit, security, social welfare and so on. It is always seen on TV screens of other media certain clans shifting from one party to another by naming their clan. This means that almost individual choices are in rare when it comes to voting but rather clan views dominate in Somaliland political landscape. So, the question is why people perceive clan conference as sharp contrast to successful democratic process. 

  
Be as it may, but it is suffice to mention that democracy has not get balanced ingredient formula to generate peaceful means of power transfer so that  it always necessary requirement to develop an appropriate democracy which respects nation’s inherited of political, socio-cultural, religion and historical settings otherwise it would can lead country to full scale disaster and fragmentation . Yet, in Somaliland, negative side of election is feasible unless traditional mechanism restored as back up or adopted as last resort to survive the nation from collapse. 

Mohamed A. Warsame
Hargeisa, Somaliland
Email: iamwarsame@yahoo.com
Tell: 4150677