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The holding of consecutive local and presidential elections has shown the strong commitment of Somaliland's people to democracy. In fact it is this yearning for democracy that was the driving force for both the holding of these elections and their successful outcomes. Following the closely contested April 14 presidential election, Somalilanders felt confident that the process of democratization would culminate with the holding of early parliamentarian elections. However the early holding of the parliamentary election is facing strong opposition from most members of the current clan-based Parliament. Unfortunately, it seems that President Dahir Rayale who only a few months ago won a presidential election through the ballot box, has now joined the parliamentarians who are trying to stop the democratic process lest they lose their seats.
President Rayale will be making a big mistake if he thinks that he and the renegades in the House of Representatives could block Somaliland’s democratization process. Mr. Rayale should understand that the legitimacy of his Presidency rests on whether he conforms and complies with the democratic process that brought him to power. Pushing back parliamentary elections to 2005 and 2006 will have serious implications for the survival of democracy in this country. First, the two opposition parties will politically cease to exist, unless they are allowed to exercise their role in an elected parliament.
Certainly, there are a number of difficult electoral issues, such as the number of MPs to be elected from each district/region, and the question of demarcation of administrative boundaries that need to be resolved before any legislative elections. But these obstacles shouldn’t become excuses for delaying the parliamentarian elections until the extension that the legislators irresponsibly granted themselves earlier this year expires. Somalilanders are capable of coming up with solutions for the so-called politically sensitive issues confronting legislative elections. Setting an early date for the elections would also attract donor assistance for technical training in logistical and financial aspects of the process. Going ahead with the legislative elections may also improve Somaliland’s chances for gaining international recognition. To undermine these prospects will be unwise, and Somalilanders should let their voices be heard on this issue.
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