Guurti Move Jeopardizes Return To Democracy In Somaliland
Some members of the unelected House of Elders, the Guurti, are proposing yet another extension for the unelected president of Somaliland.
Somaliland Guurti
The group whose number is fewer than a third of the 82-member body, has tabled a bill to extend Riyale’s presidency by another six months. If the chamber approves the bill, it will give Riyale grounds to justify his stay in power without being elected.
Given the significant opposition that he currently faces in the Guurti, the prospect of such a bill passing is low. However, the positions of the Guurti members are unpredictable. Members who are currently opposing the bill may suddenly switch sides without prior indication.
President Riyale run for office in 2003 winning a five-year term by a razor-thin margin of just 80 votes.
In April 2008, just weeks before the long awaited election was due to be held, the Guurti passed a bill that extended Riyale’s presidency for 1 year ending on April 6th of this year. Constitutional scholars agree that the current proposed bill, which is similar to the previous one, has no legal bases.
Majority of the constitutional experts also side with the opposition parties’ assertion that unilateral extensions of the president’s term by the Guurti is unconstitutional.
Of the three democratic elections that took place in Somaliland within the last six years, only the members of the Parliament still have time remaining to serve.
The president, his vice-president, the Guurti and the local councilors are all holding public offices despite their unelected status. The opposition parties cite this as the major factor stalling any progress on the democratic front as these individuals still continue to make day-to-day decisions that shape the future of the country.
3 Responses to “Guurti Move Jeopardizes Return To Democracy In Somaliland”
March 27th, 2009 saat: 1:09 am
This is Mr. Wadani’s response to the writer of article title ‘Guurti Move Jeopardizes Return To Democracy In Somaliland’ posted Somaliland Globe website on 26 March 2009.
I am a concerned somaliland citizen, live in Hargeisa, and well conected to current political process and the topic of your concern. I think your writing is not independent from political influence and honestly is not true.
Just I want to highlight the interest of the state rather then a narrow political interest of UDUB, UCID and KULIMIYE.
PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM NOT EATHER UDUBM, KULMIYE OR UCID.
HONESTY TODAY THE INTEREST OF SOMALILAND STATE is upon the extention of the term of current president to at least 2 – 3 months or until the election day. ALL OTHER OPTION are against the interest of Somaliland State. and we know how to keep the national interest therefore please be aware that National interest is bigger and biger the interest of political parts.
bye
March 28th, 2009 saat: 1:03 pm
Dear Sir/Madam
I am afraid that the current situation of Somaliland politics seems to be let free to embroil sleep-long beast into bewilderment!
I hope not, for god’s sake, taking from this inference what else one could surmise other than wait and see!!!!
Mohamed Abdi
Bristol
March 28th, 2009 saat: 11:50 pm
I’m deeply disapointed and let down by this incompetent and disloyal set of gov and NEC who have no interest for the cause of somalilanders.They have taken hostage of the country and i think it’s time to reclaim it by showing our disagrement through a massive and united but peacefull protest staging in all big cities of somaliland! i’m really appalled and disgusted by their provocative behaviour.God save our beloved somaliland and let’s pray they come to their sense and abide by the constitution!Amen