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Polity
Article by: Bradley Dubbelman Published: 05 Jul 2010
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| Somaliland: Postelection report | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003 Presidential Election
2010 Presidential Election
The Presidential poll, on June 26, 2010, in Somaliland, saw the incumbent, Dahir Rayale Kahin of the Unity of Democrats Party, deposed by his longtime rival, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Silanyo of the Solidarity party. Silanyo improved his 2003 vote count by capturing 49,59% of the vote, and effectively captured the seat of government from Kahin, who captured 33,23% of the vote. The elections represent the long-awaited and perennially postponed vote that the country hopes will add to its prospects of being internationally recognised as a sovereign State. Brief History Somaliland declared its independence after the overthrow of the Somali military dictator Siad Barre in 1991, who was responsible for the massacre of scores of people in the Somaliland territory, as well as the flattening of a number of villages. Prior to Barre's overthrow, a bitter ten-year civil war ensued between Somalia and Somaliland that saw brutal acts of genocide committed against the people of Somaliland. 19 years after the Somaliland breakaway, the enclave prides itself on being a country of hope and determination founded on peace, justice and the rule of law. Although the country is not internationally recognised, Somaliland has a working government, a police force and its own currency. It has, to a large degree, avoided the violence and turmoil plaguing Somalia, and is seen as a success story in the troubled region of the Horn of Africa. Sovereignty The enclave poses a powerful argument for recognition, as the territory was a previous British colony and therefore subject to colonial borders. According to the African Union Charter, the organisation recognises all previous colonial boundaries. Under this rationale, there is credence to the notion that Somaliland is entitled to recognition as a sovereign and autonomous State. Inheriting a severely damaged political and economic infrastructure, the first President of Somaliland, Abderahman Ahmed Ali Tuur, set about reconstructing the damage by promoting a free market and an open economy. Tuur, however, was replaced by Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal, in 1993, by the Grand Conference of National Reconciliation. The Conference was established to seek ways to improve the fragile security in the enclave and look at ways to promote unification. Egal was reappointed in 1997, and remained President until his death in 2002. Subsequently, the Vice-President, Kahin, was sworn in, and eventually became Somaliland's first elected President in 2003. The latest Presidential election in the region comes after delays in 2008, when discrepancies in the process were cited. The 2010 poll, however, has largely been declared free and fair by international observers. An outcome that the Somali government hopes will go along way to securing its fully recognised independence. Electoral System Under the Constitution, Somaliland is ruled by a hybrid governance structure that combines traditional structures and western institutions. A bicameral Parliament consists of a House of Elders and a House of Representatives. The House of Elders is an advisory body consisting of 82 traditional clan leaders, who serve six-year terms. The House of Representatives also consists of 82 members elected for five-year terms on the basis of a direct popular vote using the party-list proportional representation system. The President is elected by direct popular vote using the first-past-the-post system. Conclusion The Somaliland enclave is mainly concerned with achieving the recognition of independence as a sovereign State from the international community. The smooth running of recent elections shows that the territory can maintain a peaceful democracy. Somaliland promotes a free-market system that aims to encourage foreign investment in the country. It has been able to encourage a large degree of economic development, however, one of the major obstacles to its economic ambitions is a Saudi Arabian ban on the export of Somaliland livestock. The enclave has unexploited mineral resources, which include oil, gas and the world's largest gypsum deposits. Further, the territory boasts 850 km of coastline, indicating a potential wealth in marine resources. The coastline, on which the port of Berbera is situated, services Ethiopia, thus making it a point of significant strategic economic importance. Although the recent elections have brought about a change in government in Somaliland, a change in policy is unlikely as the major issues of unity, national sovereignty and economic development remain paramount to the country's success. Main Sources BBC News. Regions and territories: Somaliland. (June 26, 2010). Epoch Times. Somaliland vote relatively peaceful. (June 27, 2010). African Elections Database. Elections in Somaliland. (June 27, 2010). The Associated Press. International observers: Somaliland poll was fair. (June 27, 2010). Polity. Somaliland opposition head wins Presidential poll. (July 2, 2010). G8 Arena. Somaliland: An African success story. (July 2, 2010). Reuters. Somaliland opposition head wins Presidential poll. (July 1, 2010). |
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