By James Feyte
Austin, Texas
A former journalist based in Washington, DC, has declared her candidacy for a seat in Somaliland’s House of Representatives.
Sahra Eidle Nur, a longtime Somali-language journalist with Voice of America (VOA) in Washington, DC, announced her bid for parliament during a press conference in Hargeisa, which was attended by members of the Somaliland media.
In an interview with MMTV, Nur stated that she sees it as her duty today to actively contribute to her country’s progress.
She emphasized that “Somaliland is a pioneer in women’s political participation“, though she acknowledged that societal and clan-based challenges often hinder full support for female candidates.
However, amidst this challenge, there remains hope. Women’s rights organizations and activists quickly mobilized, raising their voices and calling on the president to honor his commitment. Their advocacy efforts have not gone unnoticed. In response to the growing pressure, President Irro acknowledged the concerns raised addressing the limited representation of women in his administration. While this recognition is a step in the right direction, his justification for the lack of appointments—pressure from traditional elders—is deeply concerning and unacceptable.
The women of Somaliland are watching closely, and they will not accept symbolic gestures. Concrete steps must be taken to rectify the imbalance and ensure that women are not only included in leadership but also given influential roles where they can shape policies and decisions that affect the nation.
