By: Ahmed Jama
Somalilandsun – In the last two months the world has finally recognised the Somaliland government as a dependable, functional and the sole aut
hority of 3.5 million people within the boundaries
of the former British Somaliland.
After two decades of uncertainty, foreign countries as well as multinational corporations are willing to work with Somaliland.
Although this recognition falls short of Somaliland’s unques
tionable quest for full recognition as an independent country, it has clearly defined the western world’s stand on Somaliland. The world powers will not demand or advocate for the union of Somaliland with Somalia or its disintegration into smaller states as Somaliland’s critics encouraged for two decades. They have instead encouraged dialogue between Somaliland and Somalia and promised to deal with Somaliland and its citizens.
In this new landscape, well known Somaliland critics are now calling for dialogue and questioning the domestic policies of the current Somaliland government which can only enhance democracy and accountability.
The citizens within the fourteen states of Somaliland are calling for equal share of resources and the decentralisation of the central government. For instance thousands have been spent on the local government elections but every state receives only five percent of all the taxes collected within their state.
In terms of resource sharing it is wrong to advocate that the state of Awdal should receive the combined share of Maroodi jeeh, Togd
here and
Sahil as it is equally illogical for the state of Maroodi jeeh to receive the combined share of all the states in Somaliland.
In setting up a vision for Somaliland we must analyse the current policies or the lack of it in Somaliland to address the current and long term needs of the country.
The current administration has promised equality and accountability in opposition but once in government has allied itself with the rich companie
s in Somaliland in which it relies heavily on in terms of finance. It has also utilized tribalism during the election like any other political party in Somaliland to garner votes among the population who are largely uneducated and demanded little in terms of policy.
The appointment of a politician that is from my tribe does not equate to the development of a vision for my country neither it will pr
omote or develop my state. It will only enhance the career of that particular politician. Politicians that promise success through division are avoiding accountability. The citizens of Somaliland must demand more from their politicians. What is required is the development of policies that will ensure every individual in Somalila
nd is treated fairly from Dhahar to Zeila.
Somaliland’s government must distinguish its foreign policies from its domestic’s policies. As opposition parties in Somaliland often accuse the government of utilizing the support of its citizens for international recognition as a tool to silence political discourse.
The Somaliland media must also promote democracy and dialogue by accommodating different point of views instead of labelling any criticism of Somaliland’s domestic policies as anti-Somaliland propaganda.
In the upcoming months, Somaliland’s future will be discussed but we can only move forward when we safe guard our democracy and our forever lasting peace within our borders.
Ahmed Jama
