Hargeysa (Sunatimes) Somaliland must overhaul its power sharing system or risk an overwhelming political catastrophe, tribal dissatisfaction, and public upheaval in some regions. The lob-sided Senate, Parliament, and Government are signs of an ominous and uncertain future.

Somaliland was built on search for peace based on further negotiations a new power sharing strategies. The present system of government and the constitution are not designed for a tribally divided country. The power grab by one clan is a disaster in the making and endangers any political stability and lead to where the other Somalis have dreaded.

The Government, the Senate, Parliament, and the political leaders must come together and seek a solution and save the endangered peace and tranquillity before every that has been built is gone with the wind. We need Mr. Siilaanyo and his comrades to work for peace and fair decentralized power sharing system where there is a grand coalition Government that protects minority rights and based on decision making by consensus. We know and have seen Senate, Parliament, and the Government in which the absolute majority lies in the hands of one tribe.

We will be better off in a system of Federalism that each tribe has the control in its territory and the Federal government is based on coalition framework elected from the provinces and minority vetoes on issues of particular importance is respected and protected by the Constitution.

Today, the Government is dominated by only one tribe and has an absolute power in everything. The Government has a sweeping power in all spheres of public life and brings in new civil servants from the dominating tribe and replacing them with the poor old Civil servants in all public offices in Somaliland. The allocation of jobs, spending in public life, and representation are in the hands of the SNM.

The way things are developing is a rehash of Syad Barre’s system of governing. When the SNM hears the name of the dictator, they are grabbing the power more because they think Siyad has come back from the life after. Those comrades are initiating conflicts in order to bolster their power. The president is supposed to stand for all tribes but instead flirts with his comrades in the SNM who are still in liberation mode.

In order the people realize their dream of gaining independence, the president and his comrades have to come out from the liberation mode and show a resolve and emphasize reconciliation. They must rise above the fray of tribal enmity. It is not too late to re-open negotiations on power sharing in all institutions. Anything less that will put everyone in Somaliland in harm’s way.

Source: Harowo.com

http://harowo.com/2010/09/30/somaliland-or-isaaqland/

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