On 30^th January 2013 the President of Somaliland Mr Ahmed Mohamed Siraayo gave what appeared to be for his yearly speech in front of both houses of the Parliament. It was a speech that was widely anticipated in the country but was indistinct and there were no much substances in it. In short it was disappointing performance in so many ways for a man who was just elected into office two years.

MARGIN: 0in 0in 16.2pt; BACKGROUND: white" class=ecxmsonormal>It was literally as if the President has been in coma after having the worse car crash and he had just regained for his mindfulness. He didn?t talk about the real concerns people have about the rising corruption, growing tribalism since he came to office, the injustice that embedded in the heart of his government, the vote rigging, the killing of innocent people on the streets of hargeisa, Boorame and Saylac who were barbarically shot dead in close distance for simply demonstrating against what was widely seen as the most rigged election in the country?s history. He didn?t say anything to do with the political unrest that engulfed in Saylac region.  He did not even comment the political isolation the country is facing under his stewardship.

Further, the President didn?t say anything to do with the thousands of people who their votes were stolen from them. Nothing was said for the thousands of people who voted in the last local election for the candidates of their choices but their casted ballot papers were found in the dry river bank in Hargeisa. He has said nothing about Haqsoor party, which their votes were stolen and the entire legal system in the country refused to accept their application to have hearing their case in court. Democracy died in Somaliland when the political entity was refused to have their case in court. We all know that Haqsoor was ready to argue their case in court but it was denied by the government. It was apparent that Haqoor?s case was so robust that the government and the election commission were so terrified to face them in the court room.

In short it was whitewash speech. It was certainly far away from the reality that existing in the country today. People were expecting the President to address the nation as their leader and to find remedies for the misgiving people have about his government that is dividing the country for the first time. The President did not address the nation?s anxiety.

Somaliland was formed to serve for all its inhabitants? but it is apparent that some Isaaq tribes have been dominating the political structure of the country since it was formed in 1991. It is true reflection to say that Somaliland become Isaaq entity or as some call it now Haroland. It is true to say Somaliland will never secure statehood without first embracing and addressing some of the political inequality that existing in the country today. 

If Mr Siraayo was succeeded anything since coming to power he has accomplished in dividing the nation further into tribes and sub tribes. One of the most loyal tribe in Somaliland Arab was told in no uncertain term that they are not worthy of having a say the political system of their country. The political structure of Somaliland is so biased and it is only in favoring for certain Isaaq tribes while marginalizing others into be voiceless.

This president was the man who has continually demonstrates in front of the President Palace in Hargeisa during Riyaale?s era. In 2008, a young woman was injured by the police while she was demonstrating with this president in front of the Presidential House in Hargeisa. Mr Siraayo then cried so loud. He gave interviews to every Somali channel, newspapers and radios including the BBC. He was accusing then President Mr Riyaale for killing an innocent demonstrator. He accused Mr Riyaale for behaving like Siyaad Bare.

In contrary after two years of being in office, this President has ordered Special Forces to shot innocent school children on the street of Hargeisa who were peacefully demonstrating the vote rigging. The President he has not comment about the killing of these young people for more a week. He was completely silent for more than seven days. He then gave a speech on human right day. He started in his speech ?TODAY IS A BIG DAY?. He went on to say that ?he is ready to defend the country?. People were asking each others who are the people the President is defending the country from. Has he protecting from the people who their loved ones were slaughtered in front of them?  Or people who their right to have their vote count is been taken away? Or maybe people who their entire life have been transformed?

It has to be said that President is suffering dementia and it must be affecting for his memory. The president?s nephew Mr Hersi who many see as the man running the country now was given an interview for Hadhwanaagnews few weeks after the demonstrators were killed and he was asked about the people who were killed and injured demonstrating. His response was offensive, rude and very condescending. In truth he came across as someone who did not really understand the fabric of Somali society. You can?t killed someone?s loved ones and then say that you want to pay blood money without first promising to bring the real perpetrators to justices. Make no mistake, no matter how long it takes, we will never let you kill our children and then get away it without facing the consequences.  

Given this uncertain, no wonder why the British government advised its Citizens to leave Somaliland and warn future travelers to go in that country. Previously, the USA stated that they recognized the Somalia government as the true representative of Somalia. It did not exclude Somaliland in this regard. The world knows that the people of Somaliland have lost faith for the government of Mr Siraayo and people are turning into tribes and sub tribes for some form of security

Abdi Adam

 abdiqumane@hotmail.com