Disclaimer!: Please be advised that the following article is one of Somalista’s monthly opinion posts, and has therefore been objectively assessed without any biases. The contents of this article present both the positive and negative aspects of the topic being discussed.
Somaliland’s democratisation process can serve as a useful guide for other Somali states transitioning to democracy. While Somaliland’s path to democracy has been rocky, it has provided a wealth of lessons that other states can learn from. In this article, we will explore what Somalia and Puntland can learn from Somaliland’s democratisation process and how they can avoid the mistakes of the past.
Somaliland’s Strengths in the Democratisation Process
One of Somaliland’s main strengths in the democratisation process is its reliance on domestic conflict resolution mechanisms. During electoral conflicts, different stakeholders respect local conflict resolution initiatives initiated by non-state actors such as businesspeople, elders, and religious leaders. This has helped ensure peace and stability, even in election-related disputes.
Another strength is the gradual progress of Somaliland’s voter registration since 2002. Most technical issues, such as multiple registrations, have been solved with the introduction of iris-based biometric voter registration in 2016, improving the reliability of voter registration and reducing election irregularities.
Somaliland has also relied on local resources for democratisation, which has been crucial for ownership of the process. Donors have financially and technically supported Somaliland’s democracy, including budget support to the electoral body and to mediate election-related disputes. However, Somaliland still significantly finances its own democratisation process.
Lessons for Somalia and Puntland
Somalia and Puntland can learn a lot from Somaliland’s democratisation process. They should consider Somaliland’s strengths and avoid its weaknesses to ensure a successful transition to multiparty democracy.
One of the main lessons Somalia and Puntland can learn is the importance of stakeholder engagement and domestic conflict resolution mechanisms. Consensus building and early engagement with election stakeholders are critical for democratisation, as they help prevent electoral disputes and ensure peace and stability.
Another important lesson is the adoption of advanced election technologies. Somalia and Puntland should consider introducing iris-based biometric voter registration to improve reliability and reduce election irregularities.
Somalia and Puntland should also learn from Somaliland’s reliance on local resources for democratisation. While donor support is important, relying on local resources can ensure ownership of the process and assist in developing an organic and locally owned democracy.
Avoiding Somaliland’s Weaknesses
Finally, Somalia and Puntland must avoid Somaliland’s weaknesses to ensure a successful democratisation process. Somalia and Puntland should not limit political space and participation and avoid producing parties with a narrow base. Holding separate elections is not sustainable and limits the prospects of democratisation. The independence of key institutions such as the judiciary and election bodies must not be compromised, and the low representation of women and minority groups must be addressed.
The Future
In conclusion, Somalia and Puntland can learn a lot from Somaliland’s democratisation process. By focusing on stakeholder engagement, domestic conflict resolution mechanisms, and advanced election technologies, Somalia and Puntland can ensure a successful transition to multiparty democracy. Avoiding the mistakes of the past, such as limited and undemocratic political parties, separate elections, and compromised independence of key institutions, is also critical to the success of democratisation in Somalia and Puntland.
