by Abdul Ahmed III

On January 8th 2014, those who follow events in the Horn of Africa were astonished by Puntland’s presidential election which was televised live. They had not expected the process to be peaceful, transparent, and fair.  Nor did they expect the incumbent and the other candidates who lost to accept the result without a murmur and to congratulate the winner, although he won by a whisker. This flies in the face of the forebodings of many “wannabe analysts” and self-proclaimed  “veteran Somalia experts”  in the US and Europe.  Puntland had proved to be more democratic than many non-western states.

1.0 Not Surprised

Puntland’s presidential election was unquestionably transparently fair and free and democratic. No scholar or dabbler  should ever question how and why I call these elections democratic ?   but “the curious” may ask why?  I do not reject nor resist an honest question for the sake of inquiry, for I believe ignorance is overcome by sharing information with all !

While many in the Horn of Africa were amazed and surprised by the recent election in Puntland, most Puntlanders were not in the least surprised because for them – these democratic, resilient people –  had seen held successful elections a number of times before  –  Puntland style of course.

In fact, this was the fourth election in Puntland since 1998 (and the fifth government).  A unique electoral model based on social negotiation and cooperation among the people of Puntland. It is also
the same model that was replicated at the national level and gave birth  to the Central Government of the Somalia.

2.0 Why We Must Never Question Democracy In Puntland

Just as Puntland,  earlier elections in the United States were entirely or predominantly executed through selection by legislatures  In 1800, for instance, most of election votes came directly from the members of the legislature acting as direct electoral votes. (not to mention Hamilton’s distorted double voting scheme).  Yet the United States emerged to become largest and most powerful democracy by 20th century.   Democracy in Puntland is not much different than how democracy was exercised in the US in Late 1700s and 1800s.   I would even say, Faroole Vs Abdiweli  is not much different from Adams Vs Jefferson . But more important Puntland’s democratic systems is based on a social convention, a norm and long existing social norm of the people of Punt.

For most Puntlanders, the only difference in the 2014 election from all other previous elections was the fuss by other Somali speaking people in the region and the international community. What amazed Nicholas Kay and other guests  was a simple  social norm  and a tradition for most Puntlanders.   The election of Abdiweli on January 8th 2014 by 1 vote  is not much different from the election of John Adams in 1796 by 3- votes, or the election of Konrad Adenauer as Chancellor by the Bundestag after WWII by a single vote – his own – and he stayed as Chancellor for the next 14 years. However, Abdulweli was not a member of Parliament and could not therefore vote for himself while Adenauer was and cast his own vote which gave him the Chancellorship.

Puntland  is a young, growing  democracy which should be commended because what we call Puntland today had emerged from 60-years subjugation under the fascist rule and a complete neglect by the Somali governments in 1960s and 1970s.   This part of Horn of Africa has indeed suffered much more than the rest of the Somali speaking population in the Horn of Africa; for instance sultans/rulers like Sultan Mohamoud Ali Shire , Sultan Ali Yusuf and Boqor Osman militarily attacked by the colonial powers, their land occupied , their castle destroyed and they were all forcibly exiled to the Seychelles, Eritrea and Mogadishu respectively)

3.0 Men at Work

Not that 80s Rock Aussie Band from down under!  Puntland’s  Faroole and Abdiweli are “Men at Work”  for Puntland!  for the principles of peace, progress and prosperity for its people.  These two leaders  have striking similarities and differences to early American leaders like  Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.  For instance just as Jefferson,   Abdiweli is an intellectual powerhouse, an academic and a  highly qualified man. He is  an empirical economist, whose mathematical models proved/showed the importance and  the need for consistent economic policies to sustain an economic growth. Equally, he shares many leadership qualities with John Adams,  For instance  Abdiweli is a reluctant to jump to conclusions, he is a careful decision maker sometimes underestimated by friends and foes alike all at their peril.

The flipside of the coin would be the former president.   Unlike Adams and Abdiweli,  Faroole, is decisive one time decision maker, a gutsy man, the kind that would be justified by behavioural economists. With enough information gathered Faroole  takes the best course of action as he sees it. (indeed a great  quality;  who needs information overload and over analysis ).  But stop here! he is not just intuitive , he equally is analytical.  Faroole shares a lot with Thomas Jefferson, he is  straightforward, powerful, sometimes harsh and well-meaning man, intentions overrode all means. On the intellectual aspects,  Jefferson used to ship hundreds of books from Europe.  Faroole does the same, many of us know his hunt for books from the US, Australia and from Dubai.  He is an avid reader, not just reader but a true intellectual who enjoys reading, explores and is someone whose interests extend  from literature to public policy, from statistics (for which he was trained in Lebanon in the 1960s) to esthetics and architecture to which he was introduced to in the West.  Like Jefferson, Faroole built and was deeply involved in the architecture of the current presidential palace as well as the parliament building.

Former President Abdirahman Faroole is also believed to be the architect and intellectual leader of  symbolism and prominence in Puntland. The newly elected President Abdiweli shares with Faroole an intellectual bond that situates Puntland’s interests first and above all else. He is also closer to the former president on policy  towards the nominal central authorities and policies toward Somali speaking populations in the Horn of Africa.  In fact, their perspectives are almost identical with minor domestic policy differences.

4.0 Continuity

There should be no surprise if Abdiweli continues some or  most of Faroole’s policies. Thomas Jefferson  and Adams philosophical differences did not lead to drastic changes in the United States. Abdiweli’s changes may just be as moderate as they should be for the sake of continuity and the unity of Puntland. (Nothing will change – just a further improvement  as President Faroole said in his last speech).

I happen to agree with Faroole, but one may ask, why have such an expensive election in Puntland if the policies would continue ?The answer to that question is simple!  the policies of Puntland are not always contingent to its leaders.  While many domestic policies may change the general direction of Puntland’s policies would remain the same or similar.

Only time will confirm to us , If Abdiweli and Faroole are Puntland’s  Adams and Jefferson.  But I wouldn’t be surprised if the 2014 presidential elections become as irrelevant in the long run as were the election of 1800 in the US.   Social norms and the new state inform any leader elected in Puntland to carry on with the principles of peace through strength and prosperity for all.  Any leader of Puntland would paraphrase Ted Kennedy and say: ‘The Work Goes On, The Hope Endures and Puntland’s Dream Shall Never Die.

So let me sign off by advising  all , not to be surprised, not to question the democracy of Puntland but to applaud the men at work, and to welcome the continuity of Puntland while celebrating the transition .

Abdul Ahmed III
Email:abdulahmed2004@gmail.com
WardheerNews Contributor