Month: October 2023

TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR PUNTLAND STATE GENERAL DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS WITH NO SURE SIGN OF HOLDING THEM ANY TIME SOON

WDM EDITORIAL


Media speculations, rampant opposition claims on Puntland Government undeclared plans to seek term extention (call it technical or otherwise) are troubling as they also harm the confidence of supporters of democracy in the current administration. If these speculations were proved right, it would constitute historic miscalculation by the Regime, and would hurt the feelings of many Puntland patriotics, who put so much efforts to the realization of democratic rule in the State of Puntland in Somalia.

What is unacceptable to the rule of law in Puntland State is the ongoing prolonged absence of the State President from the country on what seems to be a private mission with no obvious interests for the state and its residents. The President’s absence at crucial time when he was expected to champion for democracy and leave a lasting legacy for the aspirations of the people for democratic transformation is tantamount to dereliction of duty. 400,000 registered Puntland voters seek justice in realizing their life-long struggles to see a democratic Puntland State.

It looks that undeserving and anti-democratic opposition elements within and without the State could be proved, unfortunately, right in predicting the outcome of this half-measure habit and behavior of the current administration, not seeing any policy undertaking through successfully. Is there any time left to salvage the situation? Many anticipate a disaster if administration could try to buy more time to stay in power. We are afraid that Puntland State is set to sail on troubled waters, again, not taking any cues from recent troubling history of Puntland State democratization process.

CALL FOR RE-EVALUATION OF NGOs OPERATING IN PUNTLAND STATE

WDM EDITORIAL

This imperative need for re-evaluation of Non-State Actors (NSAs) commonly called NGOs should screen these entities for acceptable organizational social behavior, job performance, mission compatability, ethical conduct, neutrality and adherence to apolitical conduct of their boards of directors, management and staff.
It is in the responsibilities of the government of Puntland State to re-assert that NGOs are not private businesses or clan organizations, but public institutions under the laws and jurisdictions of Puntland Government. Board of Directors and Executive Management of these organizations must be made to understand that they can be removed by relevant agency of the State, which can appoint respective temporary new boards of directors and management until their elections are held.
In the case of PDRC, Puntland people may not be aware of the fact that it is a government agency whose Executive Director is appointed by Puntland State President. Over the years, it has been given free hands to behave like an NGO in order to secure operating funds from peace, development and research-oriented international NGos of the Donor Community in Europe and USA. However, these well-wishing international donors must ensure that their tax-payers’ money should not be directed elsewhere under cleaverly and deceptively tailored programs to secure funds.

We are also aware of some international NGOs and UN agencies intentionally funding some non-state actors in Somalia to do more harm in creating societal dependency.