Somaliland´s Peaceful Power Transfer – The beauty of democracy

I have been to a polling place in Hargiesa, capital of Somaliland, to watch people cast their ballots. The line were much manageable than they were in early elections when people were queuing for long hours. Somaliland hosted presidential election on 26th June 2010 and Opposition leader Mohamed Siilanyo was declared winner weeks later. Many people in Somaliland urged that this election was not the first and will not be the last, which prevail commitment towards sustainable democracy.

There is something inspiring about watching people of Somaliland vote to elect their fourth president. The faces of the voters filled with hope and faith in democracy process. Although the international community did not spend much on introducing democracy to Somaliland, but still the people believed democracy more than the developed world. This was one of the most beautiful sights that I ever witnessed: as citizen of region dominated by Kings and dictators.

A young voter said this line to the polling station is sign of growing democracy at the hands of its people. He added we take for granted that every adult has a right to vote and that presidential power will transfer peacefully. "This is homegrown democracy and people of Somaliland are well-versed in building free, modern and democratic state, unlike the regional countries run by diehard regimes and who stick on power until last days of his life." He concluded.

Somaliland is an example to many African bloody elections including Kenya and the recent first round of presidential election in Guinea. Another rarity of Somaliland democracy: opposition parties control current parliament, and the president must won their support in any changes in the country. This eliminated corruption and misuse in Somaliland.

This time, the people of Somaliland voted for change that brought Opposition Leader and new President of Somaliland Mohamed Siilanyo to power; he has difficult job ahead. The current change is a clear message to all politicians that people can vote any leader out of power.

The new president should be ready to lead a democratic nation rejected by the international community; he should convince the world that Somaliland is better place and deserves to be recognized. He should approach the international community different manner at this time. The president formed high-qualified cabinet ministers with 95% holding PhD certificates, including three women getting ministerial posts. This is the first time that women have been given such high level of delegation in Somaliland cabinet.

On 27th July 2010, exactly one month after election results were announced and power transfer ceremony organized and large number of dignitaries from neighboring countries like Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya attended, in addition to Europeans and UN. The power was transferred to the new leader peacefully and under the watchful of international community. Many people misbelieved that unrecognized Somaliland will fall into chaos during such transitional period. However Somalilanders disapproved them. Others around the world could not believe that an unrecognized African country will carry out such splendid democracy and power transfer without bloodshed. It is common in Africa to see leader hanging on the power for sixty years.

Currently, Kenya is preparing for constitutional election and international organizations evacuated all international staff to safe locations, fearing that similar bloody fighting will start again like earlier elections. One of my Somali friends in Nairobi told me that all foreign employees of UN and other international agencies are been evacuated and are not allowed to stay outside the camp late night. In other hand, foreign workers and agencies in Somaliland did not notice the power transfer and election due to its civilized, democratic, peaceful and smooth manner.

Somaliland is figures, and new President Siilanyo is reading such transparent figures from outgoing government (UDUB party led government).The outgoing leader handed over all duties to new president, and he is on vacation with hand the ceremony was to complete the formalities.

Today, officially Somaliland gets new leaders Mr. Mohamed Siilanyo who will lead the nation next five years. The country remained very stable and solid during the month long transition period, which shows that stability and respect to law&Order in Somaliland. It is very clear to everyone that Somaliland is not a nation of one man like many Africans, and that One-Man-Show is no more in Somaliland.

Let us all congratulate to people of Somaliland for showing maturity in practicing their democratic rights; and to both leaders for the commitment to respect the constitution of Somaliland and the desire of the people. Africa, particularly the neighboring countries, needs to learn lessons from Somaliland and that vote of the people to be the decision-maker.

ByAbdulaziz Al-Mutairi

Email: az.almutairi@yahoo.com