1 (19) United Democratic Movement Email: [email protected]

REPORT

Foundation for Dictatorship in Somaliland

Somaliland United Democratic Movement (SUDM) is a civil movement that has strong links and presence in Somaliland and in the UK but also represented in the EU countries, USA, Canada and Australia.

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REPORT: Foundation for dictatorship in Somaliland SUDMR001 Published 30 th March 2019 2 (19) Somaliland United Democratic Movement Email: [email protected]

Contents

Introduction 3

Summary 4

Somaliland Clan population 5

Somaliland’s vision for becoming a sovereign state is about to disappear 5

Violation of human rights, suppression of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. 7

Civil Society 8

Peace and Stability 10

Economy 12

Oil Exploration and Mineral Resources 14

Miss Use of the International Aid to Somaliland 15

Somaliland Security Forces 16

Conclusion 17

REFERENCES 17

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Introduction

Somaliland United Democratic Movement (SUDM) is a popular movement. SUDM is a national movement committed to use democratic means to ensure the rule of law and democracy in the budding nation of Somaliland. SUDM is therefore an action organ in which the population of Somaliland stands together to rise up against the way Kulmiye (the ruling party, a party with fascist ideology) usurps all would be national institutional functions from executive, judiciary and defence to the social and economic spheres. Gathering all power into the hands of a small Kulmiye group. This movement (SUDM) is against the suppression of rights and freedoms; free opinion and free press. This is a movement that is rising up against the authoritarian manner, in which the regime uses imprisonment against all who dare to show dissent from Kulmiye’s illegitimate political views. Free and Fair elections were the only hope that the people of Somaliland had to respond to these challenges. Kulmiye regime seems to have put an end to that hope. This movement stands in opposition to dictatorship and supports free and fair elections to be held in Somaliland. We stand up to any group who manage the public wealth as if it were their personal fiefdom, auctioning and misappropriating publicly owned assets. The Somaliland United Democratic Movement, will stand up to any individual or group who attempt to rule Somaliland in an unjust dictatorship. This movement will stand up to tribalism and the divide and conquer mentality of the Kulmye leadership. This movement will stand up against the ruling party’s policies of nepotism, favouritism, dividing the society along tribal lines and controlling public perception through propaganda. This movement will work to unite all movements and groups with the same objectives. This movement will rebuild relationship and trust between Somaliland’s communities that have been spoiled by the Kulmiye Regime. This movement will work hard to improve the relationship between Somaliland and international community and particularly with the neighbouring governments

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Summary The report is prepared by Somaliland United Democratic Movement (SUDM) and aims to present the serious underlying complications in the Somaliland system of governance. The corruption, the violation of freedoms, the clandestine foundation for dictatorship using divide and rule tactics between the local communities(clans). The report is sending an early warning to all Somaliland friends who invested and supported the building of a democratic and transparent governance. It is not possible that Somaliland can exist any longer under the current corrupted system of management and leadership. To present a picture of how Somaliland power and resource are shared among the local communities (clans) and regions, the report will refer Somaliland demographic structure based on regions and clan population, Somaliland population is estimated at about 3,700,000 inhabitants, as below is the regional breakdown;

Maroodi Jeex 1,400,000 Awdal 500,000 Togdheer 660,000 Saaxil 240,000 Sool 450,000 Sanaag 450,000

The report will use the estimation to compare the clan population in the six regions. The report is going into details of why the vision that unites all Somalilanders, to live in a peaceful, just and egalitarian state, with a government that belongs to all of them is on the verge of disintegration. The report will provide evidence that there is excessive violation and abuses of human rights, suppression of freedoms and muzzling of speech and freedom of the press. This is due to implementation of clandestine push towards dictatorship in Somaliland. The report explains and brings sample of evidence that the main goal of Kulmiye’s leadership is to consolidate all power into the hands of the few of the presidents’ inner circle clan members. With that drive, Kulmiye supplanted any and all authority and power in the country, whether political, economical, military and security forces, legislative or justice bodies as well as civil societies. The report is highlighting the corruption and the lack of clarity, in the management of Somaliland’s finances. The report is providing evidence that allocation of resources and opportunities in Somaliland is based on tribalism and who you know, rather than a fair system of applications, interviews and selecting the best candidates for the post. The report will explain the exploiting of the data from ministry for minerals and water, the Kulmiye Kleptocracy has liquidated swathes of land that was prospected to have

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any oil or minerals. And how the aid that EU and USA tax payers have granted is going down the same path as the revenue from somaliland’s tax payers. The report explains Somaliland is being plundered by a small group of corrupt and dishonest politicians, who have no regard for the country or the people of Somaliland. The armed forces are no exception from the corruption and injustice. The great dissatisfaction in the defence forces of Somaliland has caused many of the country’s Rank and file soldiers to form rapidly expanding armed opposition and freedom fighters at the border with the Puntland state.

Somaliland Clan Population As the report will refer Somaliland lineages, below is a rough estimation of Somaliland clan population in different regions and in Somaliland as Whole. This estimation is not comparing between regions, but each region as an isolated comparison. Maroodi Jeex Awdal ; Togdheer Saaxil Sool Sanaag lineages ca; 1200,000 ca;500000 ca; 660000 ca;240000 ca; 450000 ca;450000 Habar Awal 34% 0% 5% 54% 0% 0% Toljeclo 2% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Habar- Jeclo 0% 0% 35% 10% 17% 23% Garxajis 34% 0% 40% 29% 8% 38% Harti 0% 0% 10% 0% 71% 36% Arab 15% 0% 5% 4% 0% 0% Ayub 5% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Samaroon 2% 82% 0% 0% 0% 0% Ciise 0% 15% 0% 0% 0% 0% Gabooye 7% 2% 4% 2% 3% 1% inta Kale (Others) 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 2%

Revised statistics. NB; This is only an estimate based on the figures from Somaliland Elections and guidance from Somaliland anthropologists.

Somaliland’s vision for becoming a sovereign state is about to disappear The vision that united all Somalilanders, to live in a peaceful, just and egalitarian state, with a government that belongs to all of them is on the verge of disintegration. The vision that united all Somalilanders that, they were equal citizens with equal rights in by law is in danger of vanishing. There is a wide spread understanding among the populace of all regions of Somaliland that, it is evident and apparent that the country does not belong to all of its citizens to share equally anymore. The national wealth and opportunity is actively withheld from the nation, while few Kulmiye operatives are shown great favouritism. Siphoning off donor funds to foreign countries based bank

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accounts. This is a widely held observation, which is grounded in the reality of the citizenry’s daily life. The national opposition parties have raised concerns about this calamity and recommended national dialogue, in order to reunite the nation and above all to save the country. Likewise, members of the parliament, members of the Somaliland’s Upper House (Golaha Guurtida) as well as many traditional heads of community have all showed their great uneasiness about the current political and social trajectory of the country. Some of Somaliland’s large lineages have come together in national conferences and general meetings in order to discuss the tensions and divisions appearing in their communities, regions and the nation in general. Many other lineages have added their voice to the increasing number of Somalilanders who are showing great alarm and dread about the fact that Somaliland is an internally divided nation, and that the nation needs saving urgently. So far the regime does not seem to be listening to the population’s disquiet and worry. The Somaliland United Democratic Movement has been founded in response to these and similar worries. The movement’s goals are to enable Somlilanders to raise their voice and reach the wider global community; to raise global awareness about the Plight of the nation and the country and to put political pressure upon the Kulmiye regime. The fact that kulmiye is not prepared to pay any attention to the voice of the people has created great disappointment and despondency among the populace. The people are losing any hope in creating a nation built on peace, justice, fairness, equality, freedom of speech and a freedom for the press. Eventually, this demoralisation of the people can lead to the loss of confidence in all processes of people choosing their own political representatives in every level. The Somaliland United Democratic Movement will be engaging the Kulmiye prospect junta to thwart the destruction of what was a good foundation based on democratic principles. Lately, instead of engaging genuine talks with Somalia to resolve the political issue between Somalia and Somaliland, there is new evidence that the Kulmiye leadership is maintaining money driven secretive relations with the Federal government of Somalia. There is evidence that the Kulmiye leadership is consulted in the choice of who is included in the Federal Somali Parliaments. There is increasing evidence that there is cooperation and working relationship between the Somali government and the Kulmiye led government. In particular, there is evidence that the finance ministries of Somaliland and the Somali Federal government were working hand-in-glove, when it comes to international aid to the two republics. In the same breath the Kulmiye Government, habitually, locks up members of the public and prominent poets for the manufactured President Silanyo and president Sh. Sharif excuse that they may have visited Somalia or that signing something that is not presented to the public nor the to the house representatives. their work shows goodwill towards the Federal Government of Somalia. All the above occurrences have conspired to lower the enthusiasm and the confidence that the people of Somaliland had in being citizens of an independent Republic of Somaliland.

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The Federal Somali State of Puntland held one of its ministerial cabinet meetings in a district in the Sanaag region of Somaliland. Moreover, up to now the Kulmiye led Government of Somaliland has not even spoken about this event. The State of Puntland has started building their house of parliament in the town of Badhan, which is situated in the Sanaag region of Somaliland. So far the government of Somaliland, led by the Kulmiye party have not shown any worry about these events. It occurred that the president of Somaliland was visiting the capital of the Sanaag region of Somaliland, lately. While he (the president) was there, traditional leaders from parts of the region have declared, on television, that they would prefer to secede from the Somaliland and Join the state of Puntland. The president has not attempted to pay a visit or made any effort to understand and hear the issues that drove these Somalilanders to reject their own country. This begs for the question why the Somaliland military is losing lives defending the borders in Tukaraq, since the Kulmiye government does not show any interest in the borders of the country. Moreover, there have been bitter battles fought at the end of October 2018, by two Somaliland lineages in Sool, one of Somaliland’s regions. Many died and many others sustained grave wounds in the fights between the brethren of Sool. Many have fled their homes and became refugees. 500 Ethiopian soldiers had to step between the combatants while the Somaliland government stood by, idly. The Ethiopian soldiers had to provide aid to the fleeing Somalilanders. This included food, shelter and clothing. What is worse, Somaliland elders who went to Sool, in order to agitate for peace between the kin and kith fighting in the region, have witnessed that Somaliland’s military personnel, carrying military weaponry, had taken part in the fighting between the two parties. The elders have suggested, that the least the Somaliland government could do, was to remove its military and weapons from the battlefield, so as to lessen the damage being caused to Somaliland citizens. The Somaliland government has not done much about these calamities, let alone ensuring the safety of its citizens and maintaining law and order. The Somaliland interior minister Mohamed Kahin went to the Sool region, after the conflict, while there, both sides of the conflict rejected the minister taking part in the peace talks between them. Consequently, the peace talks have been moved to the town of Jigjiga of Ethiopia. These entire episodes, which shame the regime, show that the Kulmiye Government has no interest in the integrity of Somaliland’s borders and sovereignty. In turn, this has caused wide spread demoralisation of the people and loss of confidence in the ambition of one day attaining their goal of becoming an independent nation recognised internationally.

Violation and abuses of human rights, suppression of freedoms and muzzling of speech and freedom of the press. Violating the citizen’s right to freedom of opinion and other human rights has become a norm, despite the fact, that Somaliland has chosen a semblance of the path of multiparty democracy. The Somaliland constitution guarantees the citizen’s right to freedom of speech, the right to vote and elect autonomously, without any outside pressure, and a right to free press and media. However, it is very clear that there is a push toward dictatorship and autocracy by the leaders of Kulmiye. The implementation of clandestine push towards dictatorship necessitates Kulmiye’s suppression of the press and denying citizens the freedom of

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opinion and speech. To stop anyone from discussing or dissenting from the impunity; illegal monopolization of power, the embezzlement of public wealth and assets and the lack of justice have become Kulmiye’s hallmarks. Massive prisons have been built in every region of Somaliland for mass incarceration of the populace in order to frighten them into submission. Traditional elders have been incarcerated for dissenting from Kulmiye’s preferred political views. Young people who have written their views on social media have been imprisoned. Citizens who have voiced their opinion have been raided in their work places or homes and locked up. The latest violation on the peoples’ human rights, has been imposed upon two citizens. Abdiqadir Nuur Mohamoud and Bashe Hassan Mohamed are a teacher and a poet respectively. A court in has sentenced them to 8 years imprisonment and $625 000 penalty each. The victims were not found guilty of any crime and their income never exceeds $100 per month. Furthermore, journalists have been stopped from coming back to their own country of Somaliland after they have travelled back from Djibouti. As well as this, some journalists were expelled from the country, others were arrested. Poets, and writers who have visited some prisons have attempted to raise awareness about the deplorable conditions of the prisoners and the torture and rape inflicted on them. These individuals have found themselves becoming victims of the Lock-them-up mentality of Kulmiye. These incidents and many others of the same ilk, show the Kulmiye party’s intention to establish a dictatorship in Somaliland, ignoring the countries clear choice for multiparty democracy, freedom of the press, freedom of speech and freedom of association and opinion. We would like to inform all those who aid and support the development of democracy, human rights, freedom of speech and the press, to pay close attention to what is happening in Somaliland. Particularly, we would like to pass this information to Somaliland’s friends who give unstinting support towards Somaliland’s democratic development including the UK and the EU.

Civil Society One of the astonishing characteristics of kulmiye, aside from its rampant corruption, is its monopolization of power in all levels of Somaliland. The party has extended its power grab to some of Somaliland’s biggest Civil Societies. Kulmiye has turned entire umbrella groups (such as the umbrella of Somaliland’s women’s groups, youth groups or the country’s journalists’ umbrella groups) into a mouth-piece for the government. These umbrella groups seem to be used by the government to justify and defend the lack of justice, corruption and abuse perpetrated on the people of Somaliland by Kulmiye. The very people these umbrella groups should be advocating for are being flogged by them.

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The below table shows how Kulmiye Government made the leadership of the main umbrella groups to people who supports them using their clan influence. H Awal =President Bihi Clan .

Organisation Name of the leader Clan Supports Nagaad Ismahan Abdisalam H Awal Government Now Halimo H Abdi H Awal Government NAFIS Khadra Omar H Awal Government SONYO Abdicasis Siciid Salah H jeclo Government SONSAF Anwar A/Raxman H Awal Government sources, Hargeysa civil society groups (Updated) For instance, the head of the Somaliland’s police have unilaterally barred Somaliland SAAB TV journalists, who were returning from Djibouti, from entering the country. The head of Somaliland’s journalists’ umbrella (SOLJA) has, then, blindly sided with the head of Somaliland’s police, instead of his own members. After this event six TV channels declared no confidence with the head of the SOLJA. Additionally, Before the last presidential , Waddani, the main opposition party has declared on the 11 September 2017 that, the party has got no trust in SONSAF and the Academy for Peace (see the reference No 17 ). Yet, both the Kulmiye Government and the head of the Somaliland High Court (relative to President Bihi) have, deliberately chosen SONSAF to mediate any disputes arising after the elections. Thus, disregarding any misgivings Waddani had about the impartiality of SONSAF. The Somaliland United Democratic Movement is therefore advocating that it is imperative that an Independent National Electoral Launching SONSAF to mediate any disputes Commission is set up as a matter of arising after the elections urgency. SUDM also advocates that an independent domestic observer is setup from domestic and international partners and emerges to steer the next elections. Tribalism is the main path that consecutive Kulmiye governments have used, in order to misappropriate the leadership of the most important civil societies and therefore hijacking these civil society’s agendas. This clannish mentality has led Somaliland’s development to deteriorate and decline, socially, politically and economically. Moreover, nowadays, there is new tribalism narrative being pushed by Kulmiye. In this narrative two of Somaliland’s lineages have, supposedly formed a political alliance called Jeegaan. The public is expected to swallow that these two lineages will take turns in governing the country, excluding the rest of Somaliland. Many of the civilian members of these lineages might have bought this fantasy, while many others have rejected publicly. However, the reality is that there is a small bevy of politicians, who invented the Jeegaan ideology, and these are using the name of these two lineages. Any politician from these two lineages, who does not

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support the ideology is rejected and thrown out of the party. Members who dissent from this group’s political line are not allowed to be part of Kulmiye’s leadership nor can they hold any significant post within the party. This illustrates that “Jeegaan” has nothing to do with the two lineages whose name the kulmiye junta is using, but this is a ploy that these small faction of politicians are using in order to subjugate the people of Somaliland. This politics of divide and concur has enabled this small group of politicians to create an atmosphere, where they can exploit and capture the emotions of some clans and lineages, while tarring the opposing parties as an opposing tribe (the other), rather than national parties, founded on ideology and policy, in which any Somalilander could join. This has generated a political climate that Kulmiye-Jeegaan- group of politicians easily access and influence individuals or a group from same clan. Kulmiye fascist group enforced the Civil societies to be led by individuals who are from same clan that made the civil society to become the kulmiye government’s mouthpiece. Therefore, what was Somaliland’s budding democracy is in decline, and so is the populace’s trust in their civil societies and organised political discourse. This leads us to call on international donors to keep an eye on Somaliland’s NGOs and their contribution towards society building. Peace and Stability

At the time of inception Somaliland was highly distinguished in the Horn of Africa, because of its peace and stability, while neighbouring Somalia lived with constant war and unrest. The fact that Somalilanders lived peacefully with one another was a conscious choice and decision made by everyone in Somaliland. Every Somalilander was cognisant of the fact, that their young democracy and the green shoots of their governance could only grow strong, if the whole of Somaliland tended it equally. Since Somlilanders, overwhelmingly, agreed on the direction and progress of their self- governance, despite the shortness of its history, all looked on the country’s peace and security with a proprietary eye and dialogue and compromise were the norm. However, the small clique that are lead Kulmiye, have a distorted belief that Somaliland could be governed by force. To achieve this, they divide the populace into warring tribes and clans, thus creating enmity and hate. This is not something new to Kulmiye. During the presidential elections, Kulmiye always used tribalism and division as a campaign tool. Disregarding the long term damages this strategy could inflict upon the unity of the country. Kulmiye used this same strategy of division against UDUB Party (not existing any more) , emphasising the name of ( and belonging to SNM). In his farewell speech, Mr. Dahir Riyale, the then president of Somaliland has said “I am leaving behind a united people and country” thus highlighting Kulmiye’s policy of divide and conquer. The main goal of Kulmiye’s leadership is to consolidate all power into the hands of those at the top of the party. With that aim, Kulmiye supplanted any and all authority and power in the country, whether political, economical, military and security forces, legislative or justice bodies as well as civil societies. Even within Kulmiye, this clique has wrestled the internal democratic governance of the party. As soon as they came to power, they have started selling the Country’s wealth and natural resources. The Kulmiye junta started promoting, undeservedly, certain

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members among the armed forces, thus creating further injustices within the armed forces. This policy of divide and rule has led to bloodshed between the fraternal lineages of Somaliland. The government manages these conflicts in the worst possible ways, causing further enmities, hate and hostilities, to the extent that Somaliland’s armed forces have been known to take sides in these armed skirmishes, like the Kalshaale massacre, Dhumay and Ceel Afwayn. Kulmiye has restarted meetings and dialogue between Somaliland and Somalia. instead of having genuine talks with Somali to resolve the political issue between Somalia and Somaliland. Indeed, these meetings are being held, in order to maximise income to the coffers of the Kulmiye party’s higher echelons. It is highly clear that, the sole purpose of these meetings is how to share between individual international aid and projects, and a way to clear with Somalia, any of the international agreements that Somaliland may want to enter into. Kulmiye’s desire to lead the people of Somaliland in dictatorship is patently astonishing. The number of those who feel there must be a change is rapidly increasing. The hope for peaceful change and transition through free and transparent elections has dried up, after the 13/11/2016 elections. Alas, Kulmiye’s victory was seen by many, to be founded on corruption. This led to riots in which young people lost their lives. Lately, the different strata of the Somaliland society are starting to react to the government’s actions. For the first time in the history of the country, the Somaliland diaspora is organising themselves into opposition umbrella groups. Another unprecedented phenomenon, in the history of Somaliland, is the fact that top Somaliland Military commanders and their companies Abdi Qani M Mohamed shot by the Police after the presidential election in the armed forces have left the country in order to mount an armed opposition to the Kulmiye Government. Declaring their aim is to restore justice and freedoms in Somaliland. These freedom fighters have set up bases across the border between Somaliland and the federal Somali state of Puntland. The armed opposition movement is growing very fast, Mid-February 2019 there were over 200 Somaliland soldiers including 23 military ranked officers with top Commanders joined the armed Movement. Recently, one of Somaliland’s major tribes (Which spreads across five of the six regions of Somaliland) has held a conference in which over three thousand delegates took part. At the end of the conference eight points were proclaimed, which declared that Somaliland is on the wrong path towards division and lack of cohesion. This proclamation was supported by most of Somaliland’s other lineages, who also support change. The Kulmiye Government does not seem to be learning from the harsh situation that Somaliland is in. Indeed, the Kulmiye government conference

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has escalated its power grab spree, to the extent that Kulmiye is planning to move the government administration (Presidential Palace) to a tiny hamlet on the west of Hargeisa, on the virtue that this is the president’s clan’s hamlet. Friction between Muse Bihi’s government and the lineages campaigning for change in Somaliland is steadily increasing. Detaining dissenters has become the norm. The political atmosphere has become even more hostile in Somaliland, due to the terrible divergence of the political parties’ opinion regarding the National Elections Commission. The main national opposition, Waddani, has withdrawn confidence from the NEC, while the Kulmiye has refused to disband the commission. This dispute between the different parties has reached up to a point where kulmiye and Ucid have suggested elections to be held to the exclusion of Waddani, the main opposition party in Somaliland. Despite the fact, that there was no possible way, elections were going to be held in Somaliland, without the full participation of the country’s main opposition party. Nonetheless, this shows how desperate Kulmiye is to postpone any possible elections, thus prolonging Kulmiye’s time in power. In any case, Somaliland’s peace and security is, now, in a vulnerable state. More and more troops are joining the freedom fighters against the Kulmiye government, who in turn are opening more and more bases. Against the wishes of Somalilanders, Muse Bihi has also, given the UAE permission to open a military base in Somalilnad. The building of this base is going on now at a breakneck speed. The reason behind the populations disquiet, in regard to the UAE military bases is twofold: 1. The agreement signed by the President Bihi with the UAE representatives is murky and lacks transparency. Somalilanders do not, even, know what the bilateral agreement encompasses. 2. The Somaliland populace has a genuine concern, namely that the UAE military personnel, expertise and equipment might be used to suppress and subjugate the people of Somaliland.

If some of the news coming from various media sources is true, the country’s worry, about the UAE base, has a strong foundation. This news indicates that up to two thousand troops, all from the president’s clan, are going to be trained and equipped by the UAE. All in all, the forecast for stability and peace in Somaliland is rather gloomy and the possibility of civil war and chaos, similar to Yemen, is looming large. Most of those that Somalilanders respect and listen to (whether elders of lineages, scholar and religious clerics, members of political or social institutions, including former SNM officers) have all tried to advise guide the Kulmiye government, to no avail. Finally, it is obvious that without the intervention of the international community in Somaliland’s political discord and conflict, the situation can deteriorate to a dangerous point. Economy

Somaliland does not enjoy an international recognition. It is one of the poorest countries in the world. The county’s income is miniscule. The national GPD of Somaliland is estimated to be $1 per capita per day. There are other reports that state 1 in 4 Somalilanders lives on no more than $18 per month. The country with all these

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economical woes, yet suffers the worst corruption, injustice and kleptocracy. None of the country’s tax revenue is used to manage any of the population’s basic needs, whether drinking water, basic health and education or creating job opportunities for the youth. Somaliland’s fiscal income, as it is written, goes to finance expenditure and salaries only. Filling vacancies in the civil service is built entirely on tribalism and who you know, rather than a fair system of applications, interviews and selecting the best candidates for the post. Statistically 55% of civil servant posts are filled from the president’s clan while the remaining 45% is divided among the entire Somaliland workforce. This, clearly shows that the lion’s share of the country’s income goes to finance especial interests. After all, no more than 7% of the country’s revenue goes to projects, of which the majority goes to the president’s own tribal backyard. The misappropriation and the unfair distribution of the country’s resources has led to popular unrest. Kulmiye’s response to the peoples’ legitimate concerns is to lay the foundations for a dictatorship. Kulmiye is using the country’s security forces, giving them draconian powers of arrest and detention to oppress the country. It has become more common place to see the police and military generals coming on the country’s TVs to threaten the populace if there are any public demonstrations. It also happened more than once, that live ammunition has been fired at peacefully demonstrating young people, causing both death and injury. In order to lay the foundation for a dictatorship, the Kulmiye government is using repression of all sources of information and knowledge, in the country. The freedom of the press has been severely curtailed; freedom of thought, creativity, knowledge and opinion has all been crushed. There is a constant clampdown on the voices of the different social categories, like the youth and women. On the other hand, huge amounts of money goes into the Kulmiye’s propaganda and exaggerations; paying the so called clan elders, who act as Kulmiye’s mouthpiece on the national-air-waves, while badmouthing anyone who dares to point out the governments shortcomings. This paid for support, from these phony clan elders, has been dubbed by Somalilanders as “pay as you go”. To keep the country’s finances as hidden as possible, all transparency and freedom of information has become nonexistent. Neither the political opposition nor the country’s press has any right to ask for this kind of information from the ministry of finances. Somaliland’s fiscal policy for 2019 has been forced through the Kulmiye majority parliament without any debate. Some of the reasons that the country’ 2019 fiscal policy is being concealed from any scrutiny is to hide that the income from Berbera port (managed by DPworld) and the income from the UAE military base, are both missing from the 2019 fiscal report. At a public meeting organised by Inspire Group; when asked about this issue, the minister for finances, has given contradictory answers, which also contradicted a previous answer given by the president. The minister’s contradictory answer was that the Berbera Port revenue was part of fiscal report of 2019, yet, in the same breath the minister said that the Bebrbera Port revenue from DPWorld was five million dollars and the government has received it ahead of time. None of the information given by the president and his minister of finances has been supported by any documentation anywhere. There is no way to examine or scrutinise the allegations that the money has reached the government’s coffers. On the question of any possible revenues that Somaliland might have been expecting to receive from the UAE military base, the minister replied that there was no money coming into the

REPORT: Foundation for dictatorship in Somaliland SUDMR001 Published 30 th March 2019 14 (19) Somaliland United Democratic Movement Email: [email protected]

national coffers, and that in lieu of earnings from the base, the UAE will be building an airport and a road for Somaliland. None of this makes any sense to the people of Somaliland. One astounding things that Kulmiye perpetrates on the country is a company called Dubai International trade Centre, which trades in Dubai. The ownership of this company is registered in the names of Somaliland’s minister of finances and the former Somaliland representative to UAE. Yet the people of Somaliland are told that this is a national company, managed by the Somaliland’s ministry of finances. There is no clear legal framework and regulations that allow this company to exist in a foreign country. The company is seen by somaliland’s intellectuals and opposition parties as a ploy to steal the public wealth. Speaking of the 2019 fiscal report, the General Secretary of Waddani, Khadar Hussein has compared it to lines from one of Hadrawi’s poems; “Maxaan arrin dawlis dhaw; Ma-diiddo la soo qor-qoray; ku daabacan baal madaw; Ku daawaday meel madaw” which roughly translates, what a simple issue, yet designed not to be understood; written on by a black ink on a black sheet; that I read in a dark room. The corruption and the lack of clarity, in the management of Somaliland’s finances, is highlighted by the fact, that the parliamentary financial auditing committee had a meeting with the minister of finances on the 4 th February 2019. They, then, held a joint press conference. In this press conference the two sides have declared that the last Kulmiye government has left a financial deficit of 80 million USD (see the references No. 20 ). At the joint press conference, the minister for finances has endorsed this statement which was read by the head of the house of representative’s committee HE Mahdi Bubaa. However, a single day later the minister for finances held, yet, another press conference, refuting the existence of the afore-mentioned national debt. The minister for finances, Sa’ad Ali Shire, who is the director of Finance minister at the Left denied next day what Somaliland investment Company (SIC) which is he indorsed at this press conference registered in Dubai international Finance Center. It is widely understood that SIC is designed to be a destination for funds transferred from Somaliland or other companied that was given a corrupted contract. The same Minister who is a director of SIC is also the signatory to the nebulous agreements with both DP World and UAE military base, He is the one person that the president Bihi trusts above all in his cabinet. He is from the same clan as the president. Muse Bihi is the only president who selects his financial minister from within his own clan. Oil Exploration and Mineral Resources There is high expectation that in Somaliland has both oil and other minerals like gold, has fallen into the hands of a ruthless group, who do not belief in democratic governance and institutions. Who are in it for what they can grab now. Exploiting the data from ministry for minerals and water, the Kulmiye Kleptocracy has liquidated swathes of land that was prospected to have any oil or minerals. These have been sold to companies and none of the proceeds has come to the national treasury. There are people who have become millionaires since Kulmiye came to power. Obtaining licences to land prospectors indicated to have oil or valuable minerals. Selling and buying licences to mine has become a lucrative trade. There are no trading or mining

REPORT: Foundation for dictatorship in Somaliland SUDMR001 Published 30 th March 2019 15 (19) Somaliland United Democratic Movement Email: [email protected]

agreements debated or agreed upon by the Somaliland parliament or the upper chamber. Likewise, there are no agreements read, debated or voted upon in Somaliland’s legislative chambers in regard to the agreements the Kulmiye government signed with DPWorld and the UAE, for the Berbera Port and the UAE military base respectively. This military base, the building of which is almost at an end, is spread across an extensive piece of land that is believed to be rich both oil and minerals. The Somaliland legislative bodies have not passed any legislation to oversee the country’s natural wealth. There are no rules or regulation to champion the rights of the nation to the shared natural resources; the rights of the citizens who live on the land and the right to protect the environment. Somaliland is being plundered by a small group of corrupt and dishonest politicians, who have no regard for the country or the people of Somaliland. We welcome anyone who can offer Somaliland any support to stop the corruption and exploitation of the Kulmiye Government. We see it as intolerable, that a small, unrecognised country, in which the majority of its population live under the poverty-line should be bled to death by a tiny merciless minority. While on the other hand, the populace endures the lack of any basic services; such as health, education, clean drinking water or job creation. This is not a way peace, unity and prosperity can be achieved by the people of Somaliland. We beseech the international community, who stand up for peace and development to rescue Somaliland from the hands pitiless Kulmiye junta. And to lend a hand to Somaliland utilize the country’s natural resources legally, in order for Somalilanders to live decent and honourable lives. If conditions in Somaliland remain the way things are now, it is certain that widely catastrophic situation can develop in the region. No one will benefit if Somaliland descends into chaos. Miss Use of the International Aid to Somaliland It obvious that a group of people who commandeered the country’s democratic governance; auctioned the national wealth; plundered the country’s natural resources would not deploy international aid for the benefit the country and the people. It is self- evident the aid the EU and USA tax payers have granted is going down the same path as the revenue from somaliland’s tax payers. Somaliland’s needy, to whom the international aid is aimed, to afford some relieve are being deprived of this relief. Instead this greedy group of bandits are growing fat on it. It is very concerning that international donors do not seem pursue how their donations are being utilized.

REPORT: Foundation for dictatorship in Somaliland SUDMR001 Published 30 th March 2019 16 (19) Somaliland United Democratic Movement Email: [email protected]

The republic of Somalia enables Kulmiye’s government in accessing international aid. A great deal of international aid funds are signed off by Somalia to Somaliland. The Somali republic finance ministry and the Somaliland finance ministry collude to hide these funds from the people, thus facilitating the loss of this capital to the people of Somaliland. So far all the talks that Kulmiye seems to hold with the Republic of Somalia are limited to the divvying of international aid money. To illustrate the degree of cooperation between Somalia, the Somali state of Puntland and Somaliland on internationally funded projects, take the project called the Somali Business Catalytick Fund (SCBF). In this project the three ministries of finances worked Source; http://somalibcf.com/pending/page/3/About -Us together. At the first round, 35-Somaliland companies have received money from the SCBF. The next chess game shines a spotlight on the distribution of funds between the various Somaliland regions. The bulk of project funding allocated to Somaliland goes to only one region, no matter whether there are other regions with greater needs or Awardees - Projects / more suitable to the project. This policy could be Somaliland region summed by the Somali adage that says “wan weyn Maroodi Jeex 16 subag ku shub” or the Swedish one “Torta pa Torta” Togdheer 7 meaning giving resources to those already have Awdal 3 enough. Sool 3 We request international donors to scrutinise the usage Sahil 4 of their tax payers’ generous donations. Sanaag 2

Somaliland Armed Forces

The Somaliland Higher council of the Armed forces consists of 22 senior military officers, 12 of them are from president Bihi sub-clan. The injustice in promotions and career progression within the armed forces is not merely dispiriting but reminiscent of the Barre government. The fact that one clan seems to be dominating all the decision- making levels of the defence reminds Somalilanders of how their own army was used to massacre the people of Somaliland in the 1980s. The greatest subversion, in Somaliland’s armed forces, has started with Kulmiye’s ascension to power in Somaliland. From then on, officers got promoted according to their clan. For example, Mohamed Adan Buqul (now passed away) one of the most experienced senior officer in Somaliland’s army and the head of the military in the eastern regions was totally by- passed and not promoted at all. The greatest dissatisfaction is emanating from the defence forces of Somaliland. This has precipitated many of the country’s army to form armed opposition and freedom

REPORT: Foundation for dictatorship in Somaliland SUDMR001 Published 30 th March 2019 17 (19) Somaliland United Democratic Movement Email: [email protected]

fighters. More and more of Somaliland troops are joining up with these freedom fighters. A flock of over 200 soldiers including 23 commissioning officers joined the armed opposition in mid-February 2019. The formation of the rapidly expanding freedom fighters at the boarder of the country is a new and worrying development. A lot of Somalilanders sympathise with the armed resistance to the ever-increasing injustice and corruption in Somaliland. Conclusion The report aims to send an early warning to all Somaliland friends who invested and supported to build a democratic and transparent governance. It is not possible for Somaliland to exist any longer under the current corrupted system of governance. The current level of corruption in Somaliland is already causing severe poverty to the majority of the people, this can destabilise the peace and stability of the country. The report is a call for international community to step in and see what is happening in Somaliland before it is too late.

REFERENCES 1. Somaliland development fund, projects etc https://borgenproject.org/tag/somaliland/

2. world banks business fund http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2014/07/29/creating-new- businesses-jobs-and-a-better-future-in-the-northern-state-of-somaliland

3. World Bank grants scheme to create 3,500 jobs in Somaliland http://goobjoog.com/english/world-bank-grants-scheme-to-create-3500-jobs- in-somaliland/

4. SOMALI BUSINESS CATALYTIC FUND http://somalibcf.com/pending/page/3/About-Us

5. SBCF Somaliland First Round http://somalibcf.com/winners/round-1/somaliland

6. Hargeisa launched 2016 http://somalibcf.com/articles/10/Somali-Business-Catalytic-Fund-SBCF- Program-has-been-launched-in-Hargeisa

7. hargeysa oo laga hirgeliaya, press release https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2017/11/01/somaliland- launches-flagship-job-creation-program

REPORT: Foundation for dictatorship in Somaliland SUDMR001 Published 30 th March 2019 18 (19) Somaliland United Democratic Movement Email: [email protected]

8. Somaliland Community is deeply divided here in the UK and back home.

9. There was big clan conferences and different traditional leaders who express concern about the current political situation in Somaliland. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ygKLb4TJo8

10. Somaliland opposition parties also expressed deep concern about the division, the elections delayed and called for national reconciliation https://qarannews.com/faysal-cali-waraabe-oo-ku-baaqay-shir-beeleed/

11. Group of Mps from Awdal region threaten that all PMs from Awdal will resign if the Somaliland constitution is not reopened to make changes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqWM-aP9CRQ

12. members of the Guurti also raised concerns about the current situation. Members said Somaliland lost parts of Sool and Sanag region to Puntland. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQINhddDVN4

13. Somaliland Militray is divided and for the first time in the Somaliland History there is a armed opposition base in Puntland. http://boramanews.com/somali-news/item/21367-daawo-taliye-caare-oo- magaalada-qardho-kusoo-dhaweeyay-taliyihii-ciidamada-somaliland-kula- dagaalamay-gobolka-sanaag-fariina-u-diray-muuse-biixi

14. The government was accused to be maintaining a tribal conflict in Sool and Sanaag region that has started since Kulmiye took over the power. The eye witnesses confirmed that Somaliland armed vehicles and Somaliland military ammunitions was in the triable fighting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q88NEbjrIOQ (We have seen the Somaliland military with their armed forces took part in the highting.

15. Cabudhinta saxaafadda iyo dhegaysiga telefoonada shacabka https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svrdBk2xQgQ

16. dacwad uu wasiirka warfaafintu ka gudbiyay TV-yada Star iyo SAAB. Waxa lagu eedeeyay inay waraysteen Caare https://www.awdalmedia.com/mamul/adal/page.php?story=25655

REPORT: Foundation for dictatorship in Somaliland SUDMR001 Published 30 th March 2019 19 (19) Somaliland United Democratic Movement Email: [email protected]

17. Waddani party declared that the party has got no confidence in SONSAF and the academy for peace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwxw9UznU-s

18. The Majority of the posts appointed by Musa are from his clan, xilalka muuse Biixi magaacaabay oo u badan beeshiisa https://araabinews.com/liiska-saami-qeybsiga-maamulka-muuse-biixi-beesha- urursatay-xilalka-ugu-badan/

Corruption article 19. https://wargane.com/2017/12/02/somaliland-dhacdooyin-muujinaya-hanti- boob-iyo-musuq-maasuqii-ugu-cuslaa-abid-uu-saddexdii-sanno-ee-u- dambeeyay-dalka-ka-dhacay-iyo-shirkado-ganacsi-oo-la-ogaaday-inay-ka- qayb-galeen-hanti-boobka.html

20. 80 Million articles https://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcsaoffblock&p=80+milio n+deyn+ah+somaliland#id=2&vid=155854f8b94fdecd182ef9c05630b922&acti on=click

https://qarannews.com/somaliland-wasiirka-maaliyada-oo-arrintii-80-million- ku-saxday/

REPORT: Foundation for dictatorship in Somaliland SUDMR001 Published 30 th March 2019