Apology; Not In The Name Of Democracy

By Geleh Ali Gulaid, Columbus, Ohio

All peace loving Somalilanders should be enraged by this President and sycophant leaders of his administration and Party. Like the so-called leaders that initiated the infamous apology to the president. They are nothing more than puppets, who are orchestrated by Rayaale, because they fit in with his system of secrecy and corruption. All Somalilanders must show them that Their Apology nor their system of nepotism has a place in this democratically aspiring Nation.

As Somalilanders, we have vested interest in fulfilling our democratic process. We are aware that democracy is neither easy nor cheap. That is why, we must be progressive and steadfast in ensuring that we become a full-fledged democracy. More importantly, this is how this nation came about. As people who, were on the receiving end of unfairness and injustice. That is why the law should be the blueprint in which the foundation of our democratic nation is rooted. So that we can repel leaders, who at their apogees try to break the law. Power corrupts and we must ensure that no one-man and his puppets derail our hopes.

Somalilanders have a great admiration for the office of the presidency. Somalilanders have accorded this President with high degree of respect. As the occupant of the highest office, This President had an ample time to use the system and strengthen our democratic process. Unfortunately, he chose other wise and he failed to enact the laws that he governs the land by. Sadly the dichotomy that he put us in is degrading, where on one hand Rayale purports that Somaliland is a democracy at the feet of dignitaries and then he stifles dissent, arrest journalist and out laws free media. Mr. President, your métier resembles that of a despot leader, rather than a leader of a democratic country. Somalilanders are fair-minded, peace-loving people, so if Haatuf newspaper had falsely accused you, there would have been uproar and the paper would have been discredited. Mr. President if you felt, that the paper had other motives, and they were out to tarnish your name, and that of the first lady. Sir, then you should have followed the proper guidelines and exonerated yourself in a court of law. But unfortunately, the austerities of your vindictiveness lead you to take the law into your hands. You threw the Journalist in jail, denied them bail and restricted their access to their legal representation. Mr. president you cannot prosecute your opponents under laws in which you deny them. You cannot ask the arrested journalist to defend themselves in courts that are already rigged against them. And now, for their trail to be in prison, even Saddam Hussein had his day in a proper court with all turmoil and unrest in Iraq. Mr. president. Your lack of understanding in the democratic principal has hindered your limited virtues. You requested an apology from your yes-man of Sa’ad Muse. You chose to be a divider and played in to the tribal game. Mr. president you break laws because you have been emboldened by few polarizing men, who have no interest in Somaliland’s well-being but that of their own.

It takes men to make a chief powerful and there is abundance of these types of men in Somaliland. These men are not limited to one clan and their blind support is unwavering to those that fill their coffers. They are the worst among us. They seek favors by flattering those of power. In our people’s history going back to Siyad’s time, there have always been self-serving individuals who sought incentives and favors by turning on to their own. Like the few Sa’ad Muse who while cognizant of the situation ran to the presidents aid at expense of the journalist they were representing. They aided the most powerful man, who at his disposal has guru courts, and controls the state media. These men managed to exonerate the president and his wife, while condemning the already marginalized journalist. They protrude for men of power, who their credence is with, and not for their country.

In a democratic society discussions, debate and dissent are part of the good governance. This president could have been a consensus builder and he had the chance to earn his statesmanship by merit. But he chose to imperil our aspirations and he relied on brazen scrupulous individuals t o help him. However, they have under-estimated the will and resolve of the Somaliland people. We have legitimacy in our loath against the malignity of this president and his puppets. In addition, we are weary of the injustice and the corruption in our country. Leaders like Abdi-Raxman Aw Cali under president Egal and Maxamed Hashi Elmi under Rayale have been the few exceptions to corruption. They chose to serve Somaliland rather than in part-take in their leaders desire to help themselves. Moreover, we need to emulate and stand with such men. Men like Cali Cabdi Dini, Mohamed Omar, Yuusuf cabdi Gabobe and the other entire journalist that have and will be detained.

Geleh@aol.com

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