| Somaliland |
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See also: Politics of Somalia |
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The politics of Somaliland take place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, with the President as head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in two chambers of parliament, the House of Representatives of Somaliland and the House of Elders.
The 2 major clans of Somaliland are the Isaaq and the Dir (Gadabuursi and Ciise). Somaliland has avoided the fractious interclan relations of Somalia.
Internationally no country recognizes Somaliland.
International aid organizations have done much to help restore essential services and infrastructure, clear land mines, reintegrate displaced populations, promote indigenous welfare organizations, and, more recently, to strengthen government bodies.
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For its first twelve years, Somaliland had no political parties but instead followed more traditional clan-based forms of political organization. Political parties were introduced during the presidential elections and it was hoped that the recent parliamentary elections would help to usher in a representative system without allowing representation to be overtly clan-based.
District elections then held determined which parties were allowed to contest the parliamentary and presidential elections, where a party was required to demonstrate at least twenty percent of the popular vote from four out of the six regions. This was designed to ensure that parties would not organize around ethnic lines. Three parties were selected to submit presidential candidates: the United Democratic Peoples’ Party (UDUB), Kulmiye, and the Party for Justice and Welfare (UCID). On April 14, 2003, 488,543 voters participated in the presidential elections, which ran more or less smoothly. The result was a slim eighty vote controversial victory for UDUB over the Kulmiye, complicated by allegations of ballot stuffing against the incumbent UDUB. Despite calls for the Kulmiye to form a rival government, the party’s leadership did not do so, instead choosing to abide by the Supreme Court ruling that declared UDUB’s victory. Despite minor demonstrations, the transition to the presidency of Dahir Riyale Kahin proceeded peacefully.
Somaliland has a hybrid system of governance combining traditional and western institutions. In a series of inter-clan conferences, culminating in the Borama Conference in 1993, a qabil (clan or community) system of government was constructed, which consisted of an Executive, with a President, Vice President, and legislative government; a bicameral Legislature; and an independent judiciary. The traditional Somali elderates (guurti) was incorporated into the governance structure and formed the upper house, responsible for managing internal conflicts. Government became in essence a "power-sharing coalition of Somaliland's main clans," with seats in the Upper and Lower houses proportionally allocated to clans according to a pre-determined formula. In 2002, after several extensions of this interim government, Somaliland finally made the transition to multi-party democracy, with district council elections contested by six parties.
Despite setbacks in 1994 and 1996, Somaliland has managed to prosper, assisted by its trade in livestock with Saudi Arabia[1].
It faces some significant problems to its continued survival. Like other Somali governments, it lacks a consistent taxation base and receives most of its support from private actors. Corruption remains a problem, women are virtually unrepresented in government, and there are growing concerns about voting patterns based on ethnic lines as well as the majority that UDUB has gained over both the regional councils and presidency as well as the parliament.
Economic development has been heavily supported the diaspora, lack of international recognition prevents international aid to it as a country.
In 2005 Somaliland joined the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO), an international organization dedicated to the promotion of the right to self-determination. The UN still says there are some boundaries Somaliland will have to cross before it is recognized.
On March 1, 2006, the Welsh Assembly invited Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, the speaker of the Somaliland parliament to the opening of a new Assembly building. Mr. Abdillahi said that Somaliland sees his invitation "as a mark of recognition by the National Assembly for Wales that [Somaliland has] legitimacy." The Somali community in Wales numbers 8.000-10.000, most of whom come from Somaliland.
In December 2006 representatives of the Somaliland Parliament again attended the Welsh Assembly receiving a standing ovation from its members. Two months earlier the Assembly approved the establishment of an aid budget for Africa. These moves were approved by the UK Foreign Office and Department for International Development and are seen as an attempt by the UK to encourage and reward the authorities in its former colony while avoiding the issue of formal recognition.[2]
| Office | Name | Party | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Ahmed M. Mahamoud Silanyo | PUDP | 27 July 2010 |
The Parliament (Baarlamaanka) has two chambers. The House of Representatives (Golaha Wakiilada) has 82 members, elected for a five year term. The House of Elders (Golaha Guurtida) has 82 members, representing traditional leaders.
Somaliland elects on national level a head of state (the president) and a legislature. The president is elected by the people for a five year term.
| Parties | Votes | % | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| UDUB For Unity, Democracy, and Independence (Ururka dimuqraadiga ummadda bahawday) | 261,449 | 39.0 | 33 |
| KULMIYE Peace, Unity, and Development Party (KULMIYE Nabad, Midnimo iyo horumar) | 228,328 | 34.1 | 28 |
| UCID For Justice and Development (Ururka Caddaalada iyo Daryeelka) | 180,545 | 26.9 | 21 |
| Total | 680,322 | 100.0 | 82 |
| Invalid votes | 4,585 | ||
| Total votes cast | 674,907 | ||
| Source: IRI | |||
| Candidates - Nominating parties | Votes | % | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dahir Riyale Kahin - For Unity, Democracy, and Independence | 205,595 | 41.23 | ||||
| Ahmed M. Mahamoud Silanyo - Peace, Unity, and Development Party | 205,515 | 41.21 | ||||
| Faysal Cali Warabe - For Justice and Development | 77,433 | 15.52 | ||||
| Valid votes | 488,543 | 98.0 | ||||
| Invalid votes | 10,096 | 2.0 | ||||
| Total (Turnout ?%) | 498,639 | 100.0 | ||||
| Source: African elections | ||||||
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