Hillaac Rejects the Bullying of Chieftains & Their Proposed Joint Election

An amendment to the law of lands is always subject to a higher threshold, such as the approval of two-thirds of parliament members or a referendum supported by the majority of electorates.

It appears to be that Somaliland has unprecedently  fostered a phenomenal third method for amending the laws of the nation – which is the proposition of clan leaders.

It is clear that the Somaliland political establishment is not yet mature and gets nourishment from the never ending political tension.

The question that needs to be asked is: aren’t the two elections scheduled to be held separately on different timelines soon? Didn’t President Muse recently issued a presidential decree that confirmed and publicized the details of these elections?

The two political opposition parties – Wadani and UCID – have expressed their acceptance concerning the suggested model, which calls for a joint presidential and political association elections. They consider this proposition a possibly valuable way to address the current political impasse.

President Bihi also endorsed the new plan proposed for the elections and issued a presidential directive addressed to the legislative branch, requesting an amendment to the election laws accommodating the input of clan elders.

A press release by the Political Association of Hillaac – led by Prof Ahmed Ismail Samater – articulated today their position on the solutions and decisions put forward by an Ad Hoc committee of chieftains hailing from the Eastern portion of Burao city regarding the resolution of the dispute on the upcoming Somaliland elections.

That press release reads as follows:

First, the HILLAAC political association shares its deepest sorrow with the people of Somaliland and the National Army. We pray to Allah ALMIGHTY to shower His mercy on the souls of those who have died from this loss, and heal the wounds of the injured and have them completely recover very soon.

Next, speaking on behalf of the HILLAAC Political Association, I declare that I have honor and respect for the traditional leaders and intellectuals of the Habarjeclo Community and the decisions they made. I am sure that they have put in a lot of effort to find a solution to the political dispute that has been going on for a long time in the nation.

Rather, the decisions they have given are a danger to all the law, government, and dignity that we have been building throughout the past 32 years.

As a political entity, when we deeply thought about those decisions – how they will undermine our government and the road that was first taken to arrive at those decisions – we declare that we will not accept them.

Therefore, we suggest that this issue should not be made a bill to be swallowed by all, but to open a wider platform for diverse discussions from different perspectives leading to a rational outcome to all stakeholders.

Brethren, today is the day of deliberation and the issue is open to debate. Let’s make a good judgement that is not biased, and is beneficial for the long-term interest of the nation we love.

Let’s turn the pain that has befallen us into and build a functioning nation that cannot be overrun by its government institutions.

Thank Allah Almighty
Chairman of the Hillaac Political Association
Prof. Ahmed Ismail Samater