“Democracy is in the blood of Muslims, who look upon complete equality of manhood (mankind) … (and) believe in fraternity, equality and liberty.” — Muhammad Ali Jinnah

Democratization process in today’s Somaliland had many sweet and sour experiences. Through these experiences, the modern and unique democracy of Somaliland becomes beautiful. But it does not mean that it is a bed of roses. There will always be thorns and ups and downs in the process. However, the process rises despite the odds.

The application of democracy to Somaliland as new political system was not a difficult process as it is in the blood of the people. The culture of the people is based on consultation and negotiation against obstacles without use of force. Such culture was prevalent in Somaliland much before the arrival of the colonial powers in late 19th Century. I. Lewis underscored such culture in his books “A Study of Pastoralism and Politics among the Northern Somali of the Horn of Africa” and “The Democracy of Sultan Diriye.”

In 1936, the first democratic political party — Somali National Society (SNS) — was announced in Somaliland, followed by a multiparty system adopted by creating three more political parties: SNL, USP and NUF. SNS vanished due to the emergence of the three new political parties.

After pro-liberation activities started in mid-20th century, both SNL and USP wanted to unite with Italian Somalia — a territory under UN trusteeship — while NUF was pro-independence of Somaliland. Somaliland won independence from the British on June 26, 1960 and was registered as an independent nation and recognized by more than 35 countries. However, Somaliland united with Italian Somalia on July 1, 1960.

In Somaliland’s pre-independence election of late 1950s, SNL and USP won majority of the seats in Parliament; they sustained their agenda of uniting with Italian Somalia. Statesman Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal was nominated as the first elected prime minister of Somaliland. On July 1, 1960, Egal was the first African elected leader to resign in favor of a cause — formation of Somali Republic.

Somali Republic was a combination of British Somaliland and Italian Somalia. Somaliland’s culture of democracy flourished into Somali Republic until a military coup by Gen. Mohamed Siyad Barre in 1969. The authoritarian military regime turned into mass-murderer and was ousted through an armed struggle by Somaliland people (former citizens of British Somaliland and Somali Republic) that lasted more than a decade. Somalilanders later encouraged Gen. Mohamed Farah Aideed to start a similar struggle in Mogadishu.

May 18, 1991 was a historic day — the rebirth of Republic of Somaliland (known as British Somaliland from 1884 to 1960). The people of Somaliland decided to withdraw from the 1960 unity with Italian Somalia, today’s Somalia.

Again, Somaliland rebuilt democratic institutions and multiparty system was inaugurated in Somaliland where many political organizations contended for becoming national party. The three organizations KULMIYE, UDUB and UCID were recognized as the political parties of the Republic of Somaliland (2002 – 2012).

Somaliland hosted four free and fair elections, including presidential elections that brought opposition party KULMIYE to power in 2010. Today, former President of Somaliland Dahir Riyale Kahin is the opposition leader and the former opposition leader Mohamed Ahmed Siilaanyo is the president of Somaliland. Such democratic and peaceful power transfer caught the eye of the international community, and earned appreciation and respect for Somaliland worldwide.

Every 10 years, municipal elections serve as primary elections because only the three winning parties contest in Parliament and presidential elections. However, municipal elections take place in Somaliland every five years, and upcoming elections are scheduled for Nov 28.

Somaliland constitution permits formation of new political organizations every 10 years. However, the first face of registering the organization with the National Election Commission (NEC) will require the organization to register at least 1,000 of its supporters in every district across Somaliland; it must pay $25,000 as party registration fees to the NEC; it must open offices across the region. The political organization that fulfills the above criteria is allowed to participate in municipal elections.

Hereafter, the top three political parties, in terms of voters, will be recognized as Somaliland’s political parties for the next 10 years.

President Siilaanyo vowed to open the formation of political parties during 2010 presidential elections. Today, the ruling party KULMIYE and the opposition UCID are facing a heated campaign from the newly formed political organizations, in order to maintain their status as political parties. Five political parties are contesting the elections except UDUB that stayed away from elections due to an internal party rift.

Such healthy and mature democratic system could be an example to many African states because it will reduce political violence that follows presidential elections like in Kenya, Congo, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast etc.

Somaliland’s homemade election system gives citizens, including young ones, political ambitions and a chance to launch a party or participate in elections. Majority of the African political parties are one-man shows, where old politicians don’t allow fresh blood to be injected in the parties. The Somali system avoids political monopoly, where one man dominates the leadership of a country for many years. The system leads people to trust the transparency of democracy. Another amazing advantage of the system is that all parties have supporters across the country, which leads to fair power distribution.

Recently, the Somaliland president issued a decree prohibiting the use of the government properties in the election campaign, after members of the ruling party KULMIYE misused the government vehicles. Such a step ensured complete transparency.

However, Somaliland democracy is facing complications from the newly nominated government of Somalia — the Mogadishu regime. The latter is employing angry leaders from the political parties who lost in the current nomination process under the terms of Somaliland constitution like former leader of the NDP and current Deputy Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fawziya Haji Adam. She led the NDP in current Somaliland municipal elections, but failed to get 1,000 supporters and open an office in every district and region as required by the constitution.

The NEC disqualified the NDP, and she defected to Mogadishu where the current President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud nominated her as Deputy Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs. There are many other Somaliland politicians who fled to Mogadishu after they failed in the challenging politics of Somaliland.

This is a direct threat to Somaliland democracy, and such recruitment of politicians with Somaliland-origin is a clear violation of the Somaliland constitution. This has angered the public and current leadership of Somaliland.

The Mogadishu regime short-circuited the London Communiqué that prohibits any interference into each other’s politics (Somaliland and Somalia). The international community requested both Hargiesa and Mogadishu to cooperate positively and talk about their future relationship. However, the move of appointing Somaliland-born politicians undermines possible healthy relations in the future.