Golis News

The controversy surrounding the containers that was recently caught at Berbera port, in which president Riyale used his position disgracefully by illegally ordering to export unknown commodity of an unknown quantity through the our National coastal town of Berbera. When custom’s authorities decided to search containers, apparently also informed were minister for trade and SAHIL governor, the president, with no regard to code of conduct for his office, constitution and the rule of law, also showing no slightest respect or consideration to Berbera customs staff, local police officers and even his own cabinet member (minister for trade). The president went on to claim to have fired this minister. People then wonder, what do ministers have to do to remain their in their posts? Or who really deserves to serve Somaliland public? This was an utterly irresponsible act, an insult to all Somaliland citizens, particularly those working hard for the benefit of the country and its people. This again manifested the wrong perception and mismanagement of Somaliland’s top job. This was not an isolated incident either, but rather the last of continuous, really worrying actions deliberately perpetrated by current Somaliland leadership. As one Somaliland citizen puts it, “If Riyaale is comfortable with running Berbera port, instead of Somaliland presidency, then he should appoint himself for this post”.

This latest blunder comes at a time when the rest of the world is watching events unfolding in Somaliland closely. For Somaliland to get recognition from rest of the world, more openness and transparency in our system of governance is needed, free judicial system and more freedom for Somaliland citizens, is required from the part of Somaliland. This is one of the remaining conditions to be met, in order to let Somaliland into the international community and grant full statehood. On the contrary, President Riyale decided to ignore the rule of law and sent negative signal to the outside world about Somaliland. The increasing realisation among Somaliland public is that Somaliland can not move with its current leadership. Riyale lacks leadership skills and talent, and is also suspicious and fearsome about things that can not be comprehended, that pull him back from acting courageously, according to his office powers. For example, it is widely known fact that Riyale wanted to reshuffle his cabinet for the last six months, but never carried out this. One of the main reasons; dilemma that he does not want to upset few of his ministers who presumably would not get the necessary ratifications from parliament if reappointed.

Time and tide waits for no man

Unrecognised Somaliland, with economic difficulties continues to face many challenges and difficulties and already have many external enemies. It does not therefore deserve or indeed afford to stock weak and confused leadership with no priorities for current events, and no planning for the future. Wasted time is proving us dear and will even be dearer if nothing is done about leadership change. The ultimate feeling now shared by majority of Somaliland citizens, including his own former supporters and independent, educated, non-partisan individuals who only care about Somaliland, is that it is probably time for Riyale to go.

It is clearly stated that anyone in any position can be impeached from his/her held position if found to be involved with treason or being obstructive to the national interest of Somaliland. This includes any Minster, leaders of the two houses (Parliament and elders), and an individual holding any public office and indeed the Somaliland president. If the president who holds the highest post in the country appears to be acting carelessly with no regard to constitution, then what sort of picture does this send to the rest of the world or to those working hard for Somaliland? Your answer could be…Our answer is “disappointment”, rest of the world could also think Somaliland is a big joke and we are not serious about it. Are we serious about Somaliland? The answer is big YES. Then let’s find an alternative to Riyaale.

Riyaale’s Legacy

Apart from two elections carried out under Riyale’s leadership, which were delayed many times anyway, the overwhelming majority of Somaliland population believe that his term for presidency was time wasted from Somaliland. These two afore mentioned elections were meant to advance democracy in Somaliland, strengthen and lay solid foundations for smoothly running system of governance, free judicial system in both locally and nationally. However, Somaliland leadership’s system is on reverse gear and is currently trying to destroy the fruits of these very elections, and indeed is further endangering public law and order.

Somaliland’s unity is number one priority

Given the fact that the unity of Somaliland is a matter of paramount importance and we can all imagine the challenge and threat that can face Somaliland as a result of a possible impeachment, this can be implemented with carefully thought through method, but can rightly be fulfilled firmly and fairly. Voices for Riyale’s removal are now coming from the heart of Awdal region. The fact is that Riyale is unable to be fair to even within Awdal region, let alone areas he regards as too remote and unreachable, like parts of Sool and Sanaag. This is by no means a reminder that this president ordered the vacation of eastern frontier of Sool region, for Punland militias. These militias still controlling parts of Somaliland. Likewise, it is difficult to comprehend why some argue that parts of Somaliland would be unhappy if Riyale is legally removed from office. Even bringing this topic into discussion may sound absurd, but lets remember that just before Parliamentary elections, president Riyale claimed that Somaliland unity will be in jeopardy if impeachment process is carried out against an elected president (Riyaale), even further claiming that an opposition party was paying 5000 $ to each of the members of former parliament to bring about this process. In the end, Awdalities are beyond Riyale and every body in Somaliland is now comfortable that next leader could well come from Awdal region as well. You can now rightly ask; why is the impeachment, clearly defined in our constitution, that everyone in public office can be impeached, is a problem? If anyone is afraid of this process to begin, they are not probably confident or actually know what they are doing.

What is the alternative to Riyale?
Can we possibly face power vacuum as a result of a possible impeachment? Can the opposition parties, who lead house of parliament, take advantage of such situation? Some of you might already be arriving conclusions and judgements and wish to know who would benefit from this situation, but let’s put Somaliland first. We have a system in place. We have house of elders, parliament and high court and all of them have distinctive roles in this. Of course, we do have the vice president as well. As an early presidential election is called, Somaliland will, as usual, elect comprehensively better leadership, its citizens will be more proud to be Somalilanders, and it will be easier for its hardworking citizens to fulfil their potential roles responsibly and independently.