WardheerNews Editorial
On January 8, 2014, law makers in the semi-autonomous state of Puntland of Somalia elected former Somali Prime Minister, Dr. Abdiweli M. Ali Gaas, who narrowly defeated the incumbent President Abdirahman Mohamed Faroole. The incumbent conceded his defeat with dignity.
In the last two days, all Somalis throughout the globe closely followed this election with keen interest. Although it was a highly contested election, in the end Dr. Gaas won in the third round by a single vote of 33 against 32 for Faroole.
As difficult as this loss was for the incumbent, President Faroole congratulated both his supporters and those who voted for President-elect Gaas, adding that the process “was a fair election and I am conceding that I was defeated.”
As the third Presidential election since the inception of the Puntland state in 1998, both its politicians and the electorate have shown a level of commitment to transitioning their region into a democratic state.
The contents and format of the debate among the presidential was not only a high caliber but constitutes a landmark in Somali politics, and would hopefully teach lessons to the corruption-invested Mogadishu politics.
As the faith of Puntlanders is placed in the hands of President-elect Gaas, WardheerNews hopes that both his qualifications and his temperament are his strongest assets to lead his people at these difficult times.
There are some difficult issues on President-elect Gaas’ plate during his tenure from January 2014 to December 2018. But if past history is any indication of what to expect from his administration, Dr. Gaas will attempt to move mountains and produce tangible deliverables towards his promises within a given timeline.
During his Premiership, Somalia has successfully completed its Provisional Federal Constitution, ended a 20-year-old transition, and set the groundwork for the creation of Jubbland state within a tight timeline.
Some of the more vexing issues Dr. Gaas will deal with include unemployment, jobs creation, strengthening public institutions, paving the way for multiparty system and finding a workable solution to the complex issue of Laas Canood, Sool, and Sanaag region.
Faisal Roble, an analyst of Horn of Africa issues says there is a potential win-win solution to this question and hopes the Dr. Gaas will be the right person to implement such a solution. Roble adds “I am sure he will put Somali unity and a peaceful solution to complex issues such as this one as his top priority.”
WardheerNews welcomes the election of President-elect Gaas and loudly praises both the wind of change blowing and the democratic culture that is mushrooming in the region. Both Somaliland and Mogadishu also need to embrace change as both look into the future.
With such a clean and hick-up free process that had blossomed on this Wednesday of 2014, Puntland once again offers lessons to the rest of Somalia, and particularly the elections that are looming large in Somaliland, that change is coming and Somalis can bring change forth.
WardheerNews
Email: [email protected]
We welcome the submission of all articles for possible publication on WardheerNews.com. WardheerNews will only consider articles sent exclusively. Please email your article today . Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of WardheerNews.
WardheerNew’s tolerance platform is engaging with diversity of opinion, political ideology and self-expression. Tolerance is a necessary ingredient for creativity and civility.Tolerance fuels tenacity and audacity.
WardheerNews waxay tixgelin gaara siinaysaa maqaaladaha sida gaarka ah loogu soo diro ee aan lagu daabicin goobo kale. Maqaalkani wuxuu ka turjumayaa aragtida Qoraaga loomana fasiran karo tan WardheerNews.
Copyright © 2024 WardheerNews, All rights reserved
