Five Years After Somaliland's Historic Joint Elections: A Tale of Two Councils and the Politics of Term Extensions
- Gallaydh News Desk
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
HARGEISA - On May 31, 2021, the eyes of the international community and regional observers were firmly fixed on the Republic of Somaliland. Citizens turned out in massive numbers at polling stations across the country to elect members of the Local Councils and the House of Representatives. Serving as the seventh democratic election held in Somaliland, this event carried a unique historical weight. It marked the first time in the nation's history that a combined election was conducted, with voters casting ballots for two distinct tiers of government simultaneously.
The electoral process concluded peacefully, devoid of the violent political clashes that often characterize elections in the broader Horn of Africa. The structural reforms introduced ahead of the vote significantly reduced the number of local council seats to streamline decentralization, while the House of Representatives welcomed 82 newly elected members.
The most enduring memory of the 2021 elections remains the unprecedented success of two opposition politicians. Abdikarim Ahmed Mooge secured over 26,000 votes, and Barkhad Jama Batuun garnered 21,000 votes. Both hailing from the opposition Waddani party, they became the two highest voted politicians in the history of Somaliland's elections. Their landslide victories sent a resounding message to the political establishment. The electorate was deeply hungry for systemic change, demanding fresh, youthful faces to lead the nation into the future.
The End of the Constitutional Mandate and the Era of Extensions
Today, exactly five years after that watershed moment, the official constitutional mandate of both legislative bodies has formally expired. As has become a recurring and often scrutinized pattern in Somaliland's political landscape, the era of term extensions has officially commenced. The mandates for both councils have been extended by two years and several months.
As the nation enters this extension period, a retrospective analysis of the past five years reveals a fascinating dichotomy. The two councils have traveled down vastly different political trajectories, providing a clear window into the complex nature of Somaliland's internal politics.
The House of Representatives: Membership Stability Amidst Leadership Turbulence
The current House of Representatives presents a compelling paradox. On the floor of the parliament, there has been an astonishing level of membership stability. Over the past five years, only three lawmakers have vacated their seats. One member tragically passed away, a second resigned entirely from Somaliland politics to move abroad, and a third vacated his seat after being appointed to a ministerial cabinet position.
Their replacements were seamlessly drawn from the official reserve lists. Notably, one of these new entrants was a female lawmaker, which slightly mitigated the heavy criticism the parliament faced in 2021 for completely lacking female representation.
However, this stability among the rank and file members heavily contrasts with the intense power struggles at the leadership level. Following the 2021 swearing in ceremony, a fierce coalition of opposition parties successfully seized the leadership of the House. Yet, in politics, alliances are rarely permanent. The initial Speaker of the House eventually resigned amidst mounting political pressure, paving the way for the election of a second Speaker. This dynamic illustrates that while parliamentary seats remained secure, the navigation of the House was defined by massive political turbulence and shifting loyalties.
Local Councils: A Revolving Door of Mayors and the Culture of Upheaval
If the House of Representatives enjoyed membership stability, the Local Councils elected in 2021 became the most volatile and unstable in the nation's history. A relentless culture of "no confidence" motions and bitter alliance shuffling completely overshadowed these councils, effectively derailing their primary mandate of driving municipal development and serving local communities.
A statistical breakdown of mayoral turnover paints a vivid picture of this administrative chaos:
The Capital, Hargeisa:Ā The city has seen two different mayors over the five year period.
Burao:Ā Serving as the commercial and political hub of the eastern regions, Burao has cycled through three Mayors and three Deputy Mayors. This frequent turnover highlights a fiercely competitive and deeply fractured local council.
Borama:Ā The capital of the Awdal region mirrored this instability, also appointing three different Mayors within five years.
Gabiley:Ā Earning the title of the most politically volatile district in Somaliland, Gabiley has been governed by four different Mayors since 2021. On average, a mayor in Gabiley held office for less than a year and a half. This hyper volatility serves as a massive obstacle to the execution of any long term infrastructural or developmental projects.
Islands of Stability: Erigavo, Berbera, and Las Anod
In stark contrast to the wave of municipal upheaval, a few cities have fiercely resisted the trend, demonstrating remarkable political maturity and administrative stability. The cities of Erigavo, Berbera, and Las Anod are still governed by the very same mayors who were elected to office in 2021.
This resilience can be attributed to several factors. In some cases, it reflects the sheer political weight and localized popularity of the sitting mayors. In others, such as Las Anod and Berbera, unique security environments, social cohesion needs, and massive economic interests like port management have forced local councils to prioritize unity over petty political squabbling.
Navigating the Term Extension: What Lies Ahead?
As Somaliland crosses into the term extension phase, massive questions loom over the political arena. What will transpire over the next two and a half years? Will the public witness a new wave of orchestrated motions to topple currently sitting mayors, or will the gravity of the impending presidential elections force local politicians to halt their infighting? Furthermore, will the leadership of the House of Representatives face yet another shakeup before the next parliamentary elections are ultimately held?
While the answers to these questions remain highly anticipated, one truth is absolutely certain. The citizens of Somaliland, who voted overwhelmingly for systemic change in 2021, have learned a harsh new lesson. They have realized that casting a ballot is not the conclusion of the democratic process, but merely the beginning of a relentless political struggle. It is a struggle that requires constant civic engagement and continuous accountability to ensure that national development goals are not sacrificed at the altar of political rivalry.
