Somalilandsun: A discernible presence of women and minority clan’s representation in the Somaliland local councils and parliament continues to be the subject of interest among Stakeholders.
This can be exemplified by a meeting in Hargeisa where the three national political parties of Wadani, UCID and Kulmiye were engaged in discussions on the said by nine Representatives from International Community members that support the Somaliland democratization process.
According to a statement issued by the opposition Wadani party the meeting which lasted for several hours was held at the Ambassador Hotel in Hargeisa. Adding that
The two sides parleyed in depth the process of holding local council and House of Representatives elections and how to speed up their preparations.
The meeting also brainstormed avenues that will ensure that youth and women’s participation in politics and subsequently inclusion in the roster of candidates in the forthcoming local councils and parliamentary elections slated for April 2021.
Similarly, it was agreed on the imperatives of not only ensuring but actualizing the political representation of the marginalized communities.
The WADDANI party was represented at the meeting by the interim chairman Mr. Abdikadir Haji Ismail Jirde, the party chief operating offiy Mr. Hirsi Ali Haji Hassan and the private secretary Mr. Abdikadir Idle.
Representatives of the international community included those from the embassies of Finland, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, the European Union, the British Embassy in Hargeisa and other members. End
The issue of women and minority clan’s representation in the Somaliland political arena has been a thorny and lengthily one with efforts to ammendment elections laws thus facilitate for their quota failing in parliament.
In justification of their rejection the MPs said All Somaliland Citizens are Equal
With the latest defeat of the women and minority quota bill by legislators in the house of representatives, the lower chamber of the bicameral Somaliland Parliament, the three political parties came up with an alternative.
This internal parties pledge will see Wadani,UCID and Kulmiye each nominate six women as candidates thus 18 elected as members of parliament and one Representative from the ministry clans.
Currently their is only one female MP in the country out of the total quorum of 81
In Thier agreement of September 2020 the three national political parties stated that
In cognizance of the negative impact the absence of Women and marginalized communities have in the country as pertains representation in the national parliament and local councils , Somaliland’s three national parties, UCID, WADANI and KULMIYE hereby jointly agree that in the forthcoming elections
- It is mandatory that 18 women vie for parliamentary seats nationwide
- It is mandatory that 3 candidates from marginalized communities for parliamentary seats nationwide and
- Both women and marginalized communities should nominate as many candidates as possible to vie for positions as Councillors during forthcoming local council elections. Read MORE
