Somaliland: Let me introduce to you the next chair of SONSAF

[Deeq A.]

 

Somaliland Non-State Actors Forum (SONSAF) will convene its general assembly in Hargeisa on 3^rd July 2018 year, but the next chairman is already known.

The entity is undemocratic, partisan and a replica of the ruling party.

The meeting should have happened last year. However, it has been delayed and the leadership has extended its term like the Guurti of Somaliland.

Again, SONSAF decided to follow the usual course of actions in selecting delegates and electing the board and its chair.

SONSAF is run by few people who are associated with the ruling party. The formula it uses is the same as that of the ruling party, Kulmiye.

No one else except the two clans who are in coalition in Kulmiye can become a chairperson or executive director.

Currently, the chairman Mustafe Saad and the treasury, Nafisa, belong to the clan of the current Somaliland president, Muse Behi Abdi. The executive director and the deputy chairwomen belong to the clan of the former president Silanyo.

The upcoming chairman will come from the same clan as that of the current chairman Mustafe Saad and the president of Somaliland. The power-sharing will not change.

Who is the next chairman who will be elected on 3^rd July 2018?

Anwar Warsame is a member of the Board of Directors of SONSAF and executive director of Sahan. It is certain that he will be elected because that is how the arrangement is set.

Democracy does not exist in SOSNAF. Everything is decided by a small well-connected group.

The first chairperson of SONSAF was Amina Farah (President Silanyo’s clan). Amina is also currently the deputy chairwomen. The second one was Adam Haji Ali Ahmed (President Muse’s clan). Adam was replaced by Mustafe Saad, the current chairman who also belongs to President Muse’s clan. His executive director is Mohamed A. Mohamoud Barawani (president Silanyo’s clan).

SONSAF does not cover up its association with Kulmiye. For instance, Ahmed Hashi Oday, a board member, is also a member of the Central Committee of Kulmiye and the head of a government agency, Somaliland National Health Professionals Commission. Chief Mohamed Ali Mohamed who is a department director at the Ministry of Interior, is also a member of the board of SONSAF. These are only two examples.

In short, SONSAF is run by Kulmiye who also decides its leadership.

I wonder why the civil society in Somaliland does not protest against the practices of an organization that claims to represent them but does represent a clan-based power-sharing scheme?

I have learned the answer recently. Because they are scared of the government. No one can dare to confront both the government and SONSAF.

Then why the donors continue to support an entity that does clearly violate the basic standards? Why the money of hard-working taxpayers is spent in an organization of such nature?

Aisha Abdi Miigane

aisha.migane@gmail.com

London, UK