Somaliland has been functioning successfully for 22years and fulfilled all government requirements including different divisions of army (Military, Police, Custodial corps and marines). The Somaliland army has been serving without ranks for about two decades plus and the successive Somaliland government has failed to award official ranks to the men in uniform.
There are several underlined concerns why this was not done previous subsequent governments, first reason was said to be fear for conflicts among Somaliland army, second was the previous governments’ inability to pay incentives that comes along the ranks; third reason was that there was no accurate statics records followed reflecting their experience, educational standards and most of all the previous administrations were lacking tough decisions to granting and distribution Somaliland army ranks.
On 6th of August 2013 Somaliland president honorable Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Siilaanyo has issued a presidential degree for passing and distributing ranks among Somaliland Army and total soldiers who were about to receive the ranks will be 10,000 which will vary from Alifleh to Sareeyo Gaas.This is the continuation of earlier awards given to the top commanders of Somaliland by the president on the 22 anniversary of Somaliland army establishment day.
The president of Somaliland stated in his presidential degree that ranked soldiers will receive incentives on September 2013 onwards; the President as the highest chief in command has ordered ranks to be distributed on the eve of Idul Fidri which may triple the delight of Somaliland men in uniform who were serving the country specially those who were in the front lines of Somaliland borders.
This is a bravery step taken towards the enhancement of Somaliland government as nation; this is one of the formidable decisions for nation building taken by the Somaliland current administration led by the veteran warrior Ahmed Mohamoud Siilaanyo.
This is one of the central election campaigns of Kulmiye during election and its implementation will be welcome news among the Somaliland community at large. Immediately after the ruling party took the power from the previous government, the new government formed a technical committee consisting of high ranking retired Ex- Somali military personal to study the best way to issue the ranks for the army and the post rank distribution consequences that may arise.
The community reaction on this issue was mixed response, some of the community responses on this issue were how fair the distribution process of army ranks was? How the clan representation was because the clan issue is still strong in Somaliland But the majority community attitude towards this issue were positive.
Whenever new things were initiated by any organization or group it definitely that some obstacles were to be met but it should not be repeated again and therefore, any mistakes done during the Somaliland army ranking process must be solved and that mistake ought to serve as lessons learnt for future interventions.
All Somaliland citizens welcomed this latest development from president except only shortsighted people or personal opportunist who may oppose this historical move towards completing one pillar of Somaliland sign of government and positively contribute to the reputation of Somaliland as nation.
I am not either the strong the supporter of Somaliland current administration or good writer but any development oriented person like me should support or at least motivate any steps taken forward and this spectacular achievements made by Somaliland government influenced me to take pen and paper and express my personal feelings.
Somaliland Army ranks will enrich the morale of the men in uniform and this may serve as motivational tool because this is going to create career aims to be attained through personal performance. As we know all known Somaliland army has secured almost 99% of Somaliland territory and this recognition received from Somaliland government might have positive impact on their advancement and soon secure the little areas remains will fall into their control.
Although the ruling party has successfully implemented many of their election campaign this one was the most sensitive one and since Kulmiye took over the power from previous government many of its promises had been implemented and most popular once were as follows:
Increased 100% salary of government employees and this really enhanced the livelihoods status among the employees family.
Changing old Somalia shilling into new Somaliland shilling which was not used in Togdheer region during the previous successive governments of Somaliland.
Introduced the free primary education throughout the Somaliland regions and this in turn increased the enrolment of students.
Increased Somaliland budget up to some extent
Changed the Somaliland foreign policies strategies and directly negotiating with Somali Politian’s which was not common during the previous successive government and since then achieved tangible results from the different meetings attended by Somaliland and Somalia representatives
Improves Somaliland infrastructures like rehabilitating the airport, roads and government institutions(ministries)
Allowed political parts to be formed by any one which was banned before and this provides a political platform for competent politician who were not in a position to be involved in politics before.
Increased youth and women representation for different branches of Somaliland government.
Somaliland current administration has encouraged oil companies to come in Somaliland and signed contracts in order to explore its virgin natural resources. Based on that one Oil Company has already started its oil exploration in eastern Somaliland and hopefully they may soon discover something.
The current administration has developed good relationship with Arabian governments which Somaliland has no relationship before.
Somaliland private business investment was improved through world bank and some other agencies
During the tenure of this administration many western countries has officially opened offices which are aimed to work with relations of two countries
Finally delivered and distributed Somaliland military ranks
The above mentioned were the most notable achievement and promises fulfilled by the current government and the community at large expects many more to come from current president of Somaliland.
This is clear message that Somaliland government has passed its infancy stage of considering clan issue and the president has exercised his constitutional powers “hat off for this wonderful decision taken by the president”
This means that I am just simply praising the ruling party but this highlight stated above is what everybody in Somaliland will acknowledge its accuracy and I am sincerely encouraging for any Somaliland citizen to support and constructive step taken by any administration and constructive criticize where it is due or required.
It seems that most of our writers are not interesting to write or read articles written about the achievement and our readers are not totally buttering to read development articles. They more focus on articles on scandals, politics, corruption and this is really great problem which needs the mind set/or perception of our community should be changed from problematic oriented attitude to development oriented attitude. Hopefully the attitude of readers will be changed if our media both written and not written post more articles on development
I Will sum up this short article by saying Never gonna give you up never gonna let you down forever Somaliland and God bless Somaliland nations.
Muse Muhumed Ahmed (Taamili)
Ex-Lecturer at Business and Public Administration Section
Burao University
Email:dhinbiil@hotmail.com
00-25-22-4085550
Hargeisa, Somaliland