By Goth Mohamed Goth
H.E President Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud Silanyo on Saturday issued Presidential Directive No/ JSL/M/SHGW/081-4240/092016 in response to alleged request for intervention submitted to him by the three official national political organizations, on the legal review completion of the Somaliland House of Representatives election law, and to address the outstanding issues regarding the proportional parliamentary seat allocations.
President Directive states as follows: –
To: Speaker of the House of the Representatives
Cc: Somaliland Non State Actors Forum (SONSAF),
Cc: Academy of Peace and Development (APD)
Cc: Chairman of UCID
Cc: Chairman of WADDANI
Cc: Chairman of KULMIYE
Cc: National Electoral Commission
Cc: Speaker of the House of Elders
Cc: The Chairman of the Constitutional Court
RE: The outstanding issues Regarding the Proportional Parliamentary Seat Allocations
Gentlemen and Ladies
After considering the decision by the three official political organizations to grant me the powers to reach conclusion following their failure to come up with a unified and definitive solution to the outstanding issues regarding the proportional parliamentary seat allocations.
After putting into consideration, a report submitted to me by the Academy of Peace and Development (APD) and the Somaliland Non State Actors Forum (SONSAF), in which they clearly state the citizens will, after they conducted a country wide public consultations on the legal review completion of the Somaliland House of Representatives election law, and to address the outstanding issues regarding the proportional parliamentary seat allocations to the respective six regions of Somaliland and the need to come with a feasible solution to the outstanding issues.
In regard to the written testimonials by the Speaker of the House and the report issued by the House Sub-committee on internal affairs and laws, in which they evidently state the opinions of the wider public across regions and they recommended the matter to be considered a national issue.
In accordance with the National Constitution Article 8 section 1 and 2, Article 22 and Article 90.
In respect to the constitutional Court decision of the Republic of Somaliland which paved the way for holding the 2005 elections and which the law stipulates the provisions to the effect that the allocation of seats must be based on a census or a nationwide voter registration which must be carried out before any future elections.
After putting into consideration the grievances stated by the traditional elders and politicians from Awdal region in regard to the current parliamentary seat allocations the region has in Somaliland House of Representatives.
After putting into consideration the grievances stated by the traditional elders and politicians from Sool, East Sanaag and Buhodle regions in regard to the national decision makings matters and the current parliamentary seat allocations have in the House of Representatives.
After acknowledging the outstanding issues presented to me by minorities and women in regard to the current representation the get in the House of Representatives and the need to setup a special system in order for them to get their full representation.
After thinking of the repercussions which may arise and undermine of the ongoing peace and unity conference, of which I have invited the intellectuals and leaders from Sool , East Sanaag and Buhodle which is due to be held in the town of Burao on the 25/10/2016, if the upcoming parliamentary election were to be held using the previous system.
After being convinced beyond the reasonable doubt, the remainder of the period for holding of the next parliamentary elections in line with our national political aspirations, it’s imperativeness to garner national consensus and at the same time adopt a workable solution to address the outstanding issues regarding the proportional parliamentary seat allocations; That these changes cannot be achieved within the set timeline (of 7 Months) hence the need to extend it.
When it dawned to me that the election of parliament is held as the status quo, or if the proposition quota is hastily cobbled without due broad based consultations whose consequences hence jeopardize both Presidential and Parliamentary elections and seriously dent our national aspirations.
After much consideration, I have decided to personally that a free and fair election shall be held within the timeline set.
After I evaluated the decision of the House of Elders to hold both Presidential and Parliamentary at the same time (28/03/2017) and the constitutional court decision in regard of holding both election.
When I realized the failure on the part of the House Speaker and the Honourable members of parliament to come up a solution on the legal review completion of the Somaliland House of Representatives election law, and to address the outstanding issues regarding the proportional parliamentary seat allocations to the respective six regions of Somaliland. I, myself being aware of the challenges facing them in reaching a consensus, especially on the issue of the proportional parliamentary seat allocations, hence their verdict to pass on the matter to me.
After having acknowledged the magnitude of technical challenges facing the holding of the upcoming parliamentary elections, of which is centred on the proportional parliamentary seat allocations hence the need to approach and solve the issue with the utmost caution so as to reach a suitable solution.
After carefully assessing the status of safeguarding our national unity and the coexistence of Somaliland citizens of which as a leader, I am obliged to uphold and considering the importance of the matter which I prioritize above all everything else, Therefore, I am committed now more than ever to exit office during the end of my tenure leaving behind one nation and whose citizens are unity.
Therefore, I have decided;
1. The upcoming parliamentary election will not be held using the current system.
2. The need to legally review the completion of the Somaliland House of Representatives election law, and to address the outstanding issues regarding the proportional parliamentary seat allocations and at the same time putting into special consideration the issues raised by Awdal, East Sanaag, Sool, Women and minorities.
3. The formation of a National Consultative body to come up with a unified and definitive solution to the outstanding issues and consensus among the various stakeholders in broader spectrum.
4. To come up with an alternative timeline meant to detached the holding of the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary election jointly, in other words the upcoming Presidential election shall be held as previously planned while the Parliamentary elections shall be postponed.
Lastly, after the parliament expedites its constitutional task of addressing the standing issues at hand and if God willing , I shall then pass it on to the constitutional court of Somaliland Republic.
