North Waziristan is tribal region in Pakistan under the
control of tribesmen. The region bordering with Afghanistan is stronghold of
Pakistani Taliban and al Qaida. There are similarities between Sanaag of
Somaliland and North Waziristan of Pakistan. This commentary explains the
similarities of the two regions, and the threat the local administration
failures could pose to the world peace.
Sanaag is the least
developed region and one of the two most insecure regions (the other one is
Sool) in Somaliland. Sanaag, east of Somaliland, is the largest region with the
longest coastline in the country. The
majority of its inhabitants live in the rural areas. Many factors have been
pointed as the cause of the setback and the backwardness of the region. These
articulations include the border conflict between Somaliland and Puntland. Such
claim overshadowed the root causes and the more important catalysts of the
problem.
It is true that Sanaag is in the heart of serious border
conflict that has many times escalated into violence, but the fact on the
ground is that such border syndrome is far less important for the local people.
There are other core issues that make the region the North Waziristan of
Somaliland.
Sanaag is tribal region in which the clans have the rein of
power. The government structures are weak and are swallowed by the dominant
power, the clan. Nepotism and corruption undermine the peace and create
quagmire. The ministries and the other government agencies are infiltrated by
clansmen. The Police and the courts are the worst. Always those clans in
alliance with the government have the upper hand and use the government power
against the others.
The educated class migrated from the region to the other
parts of the country and Puntland. University graduates flood to Hargeisa and Buroa
of Somaliland and Bosaso and Garowe of Puntland. Hence the doctors, nurses and
other professionals leave from the region. The wards of Erigavo Hospital for
instance are homes of the lost and unclaimed goats. Pregnant women die for
birth complications and have no opportunity for medical care. Child mortality is high. The failure of the
regional administration causes the death of vulnerable people who are in dire
need of help.
Illegal arrests are
common and security committee, outlawed by the president, operates in Sanaag in
judicial capacity. The governor has the power to order arrest and release on
his discretion. He also has the power to sentence someone. These actions are in
violation of the constitution of Somaliland. Article 37(2) states “The structure of the state
shall consist of three branches which are: the legislative, the executive and
the judiciary. The separation of the powers of these branches shall be as set
out in the Constitution. Each branch shall exercise independently the exclusive
powers accorded to it under the Constitution.” Article 97 of the constitution
provides the power of adjudication to the Judiciary Branch. The executive
branch has no power what so ever to hear criminal case and issue verdict of
conviction or acquittal.
Although Sanaag is
part of Somaliland and the constitution is applicable to the country as whole,
the citizens of Sanaag are so unfortunate. They are not able to exercise the
constitutional rights or to enjoy the constitutional protection.
The illegal arrests,
corruption, and clan prowess created chaos and anarchy in poverty-stricken
region where aid agencies have little presence because of the security.
In the east of the region, the mountains called Galgala are
safe-haven for al Shabaab terror group. Galgala branch of al Shabaab has waged
war on Puntland in many times. Terrorists could expand to the region taking the
plight of the people as opportunity.
Al Shabaab is facing military defeats in Somalia. The
African troops and the military of the government of Mogadishu are pushing al
Shabaab out of the main cities. The mountainous region, of Sanaag is the best
option for them. Economically and politically backward, and the people in
misery and fed up of clansmen rule and nepotism, Sanaag is place where the
terrorists can target to operate freely and establish themselves. Yemen is only
the other side of the red sea.
The actions of the regional administration of Sanaag under
the helm of the governor are very dangerous and could pose international threat
to the world peace. It is such local matters of this kind that has given al
Shabaab to revive and flourish in Somalia. It is the responsibility of the
central government here in Hargeisa to make sure the worst scenario not to
happen.
