Somaliland: An Overview of the 2021 Parliamentary and Local Council Elections (original) (raw)
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ARTICLE INFOABSTRACT The Republic of Somaliland enjoys a multiparty political system in which competitive elections is center to its pattern. Successive elections were conducted in Somaliland, including the municipal elections in 2002, the first competitive democratic presidential election held in 2003, and the parliamentary elections in 2005, the second presidential election in 2010. The third presidential election is scheduled in November 2017. Nonetheless, delays to timely elections overshadowed the blatant democratic reputation of Somaliland, which occasioned international partners to reconsider its sums of its assistance to Somaliland. There was also a domestic frustration over the elections postponements, and failure to honor timely elections. The upcoming presidential election was due in 2015 and has been delayed two consecutive times, while the elections of the Somaliland legislative houses are overstaying the constitutional limits. Somaliland has succeeded to recover its post-conflict political polarization through indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms, and constitutional democracy. It is notable to mention that multilayered political and social conflicts resolved in between 1991-1997 without external assistances. And, this has contributed to the establishment of political system which led to the foundation of power sharing and broader political and clans' reconciliations. Somaliland's state-building process is dubbed as " hybrid political order " in sense that Somaliland combines the House of Guurti which is more inclusive political organ and unelected House with the democratically elected bodies— President, Local Councilors, and the House of Representatives. Nevertheless, the House of Guurti was blamed of legitimizing postponements of elections, as were unconstitutional in a number of occasions, and also the act of avoidance of laying the foundation of its electoral system, the Guurti election law. It is worth to mention that the House of Guurti has made tremendous efforts in resolving political and clans' conflicts during the decade of fragility in 1991-1997. The House of Guurti was only the political and traditional organ with capacity and leadership to handle political and clans' reconciliations; creation of the House of Guurti was a vital instrument to restore peace and political stability. Thus, there is a heated debate on how the electoral system of the House of Guurti will be, and it is beyond reasonable doubt that unelected House of Guurti ascertains key democratic challenges in the post-transition and constitutional democratic process. This policy brief is examining to what extent the upcoming presidential elections will comply in conformity of international electoral standards. In Somaliland, the electoral process has experienced constant challenges that hugely affected the electoral process. But in this year there are some improvements considering the secured voters list, impartial national electoral commission, development electoral laws and code of conducts and some degree of political parties maturity adds to the democratic pride that is enjoyed in Somaliland comparing other African countries. Finally, the domestic and international observers, civil society organizations and independent media were an integral part of the process and now are playing constructive role on how the presidential elections to be held in a manner which is free, fair, transparent and peaceful.
Elections in Somaliland 2017 and their aftermath
In November 2017, a presidential election was held in Somaliland. This report focuses on the technical and political aspects of the most recent voters-registration and the election. For the first time in Somaliland’s history (and even world-wide), biometric technology in the form of iris scanners was used to diminish multiple voting. The use of this technology was successful, in the eyes of many, despite the fact that problems are remaining. This report also looks at the immediate aftermaths of the election. The result of the election was contested, which led to tensions and some violent confrontations between the supporters of the main opposition party that had lost and the government forces. Yet, calm returned to Somaliland in late November, two weeks after the election, and anew government was formed in December. The report concludes by outlining the main political and economic challenges currently existing in Somaliland.
Democratization and Elections Process in Somaliland: Challenge and Opportunity
Nuradin MohamedAbi- Phd candidate, 2024
The process of democratization is crucial for Somaliland's progress and development. It allows citizens to exercise their right to vote in local, national, and parliamentary elections, as well as for the president and other officials. Somaliland has held several elections between 2003 and 2022, with active participation from the public to choose their representatives. The journey towards political stability, good governance, and building democratic institutions has been supported by various stakeholders such as civil society, the National Electoral Commission (NEC), international parties, and the government. However, there have been challenges such as delayed election timelines, extensions of government mandates, political unrest, budgetary constraints, and technological difficulties that have hindered Somaliland's electoral democratization process. To ensure that the election is held on schedule, the leadership must be committed to the process and be willing to make concessions. The clan democracy and hybrid method of election continued during the election, including the campaign, and clan affiliation also hampered the value of the election and the democratization process in Somaliland. Additionally, the neutrality of the National Electoral Commission and the absence of government intervention are key factors in accepting the election result and ensuring the continued democratization process in Somaliland
High stakes for Somaliland’s presidential elections
Institute for Security Studies, 2017
The stakes are high for Somaliland’s presidential elections scheduled for 13 November 2017. After more than two years of delays, voters will finally have the chance to be heard. Given that President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud ‘Silanyo’ is stepping down, the contest will result in fresh leadership. This report sheds light on some of the pivotal political and security issues facing Somaliland at the time of these crucial elections, providing a background on the process and raising some key concerns.
Elections, Human Rights and Women’s Political Participation in Somaliland: Challenges and Prospects
Social Sciences, 2023
Most recent reports present a bleak and gloomy picture of the state of human rights and democracy around the world. This is particularly true in Africa, where the renaissance of democratic revival in the 21st century is rapidly giving way to narratives of doom and gloom. Though Somaliland approved its constitution in 2001, established a multi-party political system, and held local council, presidential, and parliamentary elections in the first decade, there are some challenges hindering democratization processes, holding creditable elections, protecting human rights, and women’s political representation. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to assess the current status of Somaliland’s elections, human rights, and women’s political participation, it also reviews electoral challenges, human rights abuses, and gender-based violence that have been encountered and considers the prospects for the future. However, this article revealed that there is a poor legal framework, strong clan politics, and limitations on free media expression. Somaliland adopted laws and policies to protect human rights but faced implementation issues. In addition to that, opposition leaders and party members faced imprisonment and intimidation, whereas women’s’ political participation remained low. The paper therefore calls on Somaliland government to review the electoral laws to address gaps and ensure transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in the electoral process; take immediate measures to protect freedom of media expression; enforce existing laws and policies aimed at protecting human rights; and introduce gender quotas to increase women’s representation in all levels of government.
Somalia 2020/21 Elections: Context, Challenges, and Prospects for Timely Elections
Hiiraan Online, 2020
The political trajectory has not been a walk in the park for Somalia- a nation recovering from a brutal and devastating civil war and facing the threat of the most lethal terrorist group in Africa. Since the reconciliation conference of Arte in 2000, it’d been two decades marred with political challenges for Somalia. On top of the numerous security challenges, the country had to endure political disagreements and gridlocks which was sometimes sharp and detrimental to the nascent democracy of the country.
Effect of elections on post conflict countries the case of Somaliland
Mohamoud Abdi, 2022
‘Somaliland’ is a self-proclaimed, internationally unrecognized state that emerged after the collapse of the former Somali government in 1991. The country has been relatively peaceful for the past 23 years owing to its hybrid political system where the modern and traditional are integrated together. The modern is represented by the elected representatives forming the lower house of parliament and central government also local government; and as while the traditional is represented by the house of elders (Guurti), who constitute the upper house and the highest political organ of the state of Somaliland . This study focused on the post-elections and clan’s parts system, their role in peace and security consolidation in ‘Somaliland.’ Our overall aim was to investigate the structure of the Elections process and campaign process, how it has been incorporated in the modern governance system, the challenges they are facing, as well as their relevance and opportunities for integrating traditional structures in post-conflict states. In order to realize this, focus group discussions and same key informant interviews were conducted in Hargeisa to provide primary data. These, together with secondary data, were analyzed and findings were written thematically. In addition, the study employed the bottom-up peace building theory by John Lederach. And other theories of elections the study established that after more than 20 years, a lot has changed in ‘Somaliland.’ However, Somaliland same elections was delayed more than 3 times of their elections time like house of elders and house of MPs, and Local government same of then are now based clan base like house of elders still remains quite relevant. Whenever there is a crisis, elders are the only ones capable of diffusing the tensions and restoring peace. The study also identified several challenges facing the elections. The study recommends, among others, the revision of the constitution so as to remove all ambiguity associated with the replacement of parries system and campaign process secondly, there is need to implement the women quota of parties seats proposal emphasis is, however, placed on the lessons that can be learnt from the model, as opposed to develop their system and also governments take the action of Somaliland populations awareness the meaning of peace full elections. Key Words: Somaliland, Guurti, self-proclaimed, elections, political recognition legal implication.