MISSING A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY

In 1964 a war broke out at boundary between Somalia and then Imperial Government of Ethiopia. At the time, Somalia was conducting a national election. There was a tremendous public pressure to cancel the election in order to defend the country. Late Somali President of the Republic, Aden Abdulle Osman (Aden Adde) spoke on the Ethiopian attack, saying then the infamous sentence, ” we will fight with our fingernails”. The Prime Minister, Abdirashid Ali Sharma’arke spoke after the President to say that “Somalis will fight with one hand and vote with the other”. The Prime Minister’s statement turned out to be a wild fire for national resolve in time of war and election. He had seized the opportunity and thus made history.

A few years ago, former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and his Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre were invited to seize the historic opportunity of laying the foundation stone for the construction of one of the biggest investment projects in Africa, Gara’ad Seaport, entirely funded privately by Somali business community. Unfortunately, they both missed out.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has the imagination and vision not to miss this historic ceremonial event, which is happening under his watch and leadership. He is lucky to cut the ribbon for Gara’ad Port opening for business. Congratulations to all, who made this gigantic community achievement possible, including Puntland Government under the leadership of President Said Abdullahi Deni.

Foundation Stone for the construction of Wadaagsin Highway from Gara’ad to Galdogob at border with Ethiopia laid by Federal President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
( picture: Courtesy to Dalmar Media)

WDM EDITORIAL

EYL COUNCIL FORMALLY ESTABLISHED

Congratulations are due to the residents of Eyl District of Puntland, Somalia, on completing and concluding local council election. President Said Abdullahi Deni did a commendable job in seeing through First Phase of democratic exercise of one person one vote in three Puntland districts. We strongly urge the President and Puntland Government to implement the rest of local elections still outstanding in most districts. President Deni is on the verge of leaving behind a democratic legacy in Somalia that none of his predecessors in recent memory was able to achieve.

To the critics of the election process with regards to potential irregularities, no democratic election is perfect anywhere in the world. What the current administration of Puntland has been doing in holding some district elections is the right step forward to a democratic Somalia. We urge all residents of Puntland to close ranks and support the President’s election efforts.