SOMALILAND: WHERE IS THE PRESIDENT?

 Hargeysa 14.03.09 (xaqsoor). Friendly governments of Somaliland dispatched a series of delegations spearheaded by British Ambassador to Ethiopia Ambassador Norman and Swedish high level delegation led by Senior Ambassador Marika Fahlenand representing Sweden as well as European Union. This delegation includes MR. Magnus Carlquist, The Director of International Development Agency (Sida). Sweden will take the rotating leadership of the Union soon. A high level delegation of United States are on their way to Hargeysa, led by a senator who is a member of the powerful Committee of Foreign Affairs and USA's ambassador to Djibouti .

These delegations met opposition leaders headed by the leader and presidential candidate Mr. Ahmed Silanyo of Kulmiye, the National Electoral Commission and the government headed by Vice President. They also help separate meeting to the Leaders of the two legislative bodies. Members of every delegation expressed their surprise that the President is out of the country at this crucial time.  A member of British delegation hinted that the President told them his trip will take 2-3 days only.  One of the Presidential secretaries who met this reporter, said" The Swedish delegation gets angry whence told that the President  is away and VP is not authorised to take any action concerning election matters." One of the delegation angrily said" Your President doesn't care. Mr. VP the situation is very serious and for the sake of the country, we need a quick solution. We are your friends. But after all it is your problem. If you do not care for your country, our help will not matter."

The VP promised to contact the President and assured them, that he will insist the President to come home with the first possible flight.

Somalilanders wonder the sense of responsibility of President Riyale, who has the tendency of going abroad every time the country faces crisis. The opposition exploit quite well this unexplainable behaviour. Some call it timidity, others say he wrongly shows off his importance, as no one in his government can negotiate lest propose solution. Some commentators in the local newspaper even hinted the president creates crisis and have the intention either to remain on the chair or bring Somaliland into national collapse, imitating EX-dictator Siyad Barre who said" After me there will be no Somalia".  

M A Haragwaafi

Hargeysa

Haragwaafi4@yahoo.co.uk