Local political commentators here in Somaliland were asking themselves these days what is going on in Waddani party, and what has caused this mass resignation from the party?
Whatever the reasons behind these mass resignations are, local political commentators have summarized why people are leaving Waddani party in exodus on the following four points:
- Chronic leadership crisis on top of the party hierarchy, after the party founders and the group led by Hersi Ali, the former minister of the presidency, could not see in the same lenses the policy direction of the party in the country and in the Diaspora communities. One of the issues which have further widened the chasm between those groups within the party took place, when the party leader, Hersi Ali nominated overseas party representatives in Europe and North America without consulting Mr. Fadal, the party’s shadow secretary for foreign affairs and the same time one of the founding members of the party. Mr. Fadal is still on the brink of resignation. The Damuljadid sect led by Hersi Ali overtook the party’s founding members, which has resulted in the resignations of the party first deputy chairman, the third deputy chairman, various MPs and shadow party secretaries including among others; MP Rayte, Hinda Gani, Ali Americo, Rooda etc. Similarly, as reliable sources indicate, another mass resignations are in the pipeline, which is expected to be the resignations of close to 42 senior Waddani party officers.
- The other contentious issue which has resulted in senior party members chasm and mass resignations is Waddani party’s blatant opposition to major infrastructure development projects currently underway in the country such as the modernization of the strategic port of Berbera. Party members who were enthusiastic supporters of those development endeavors have resigned the party. Their anger and frustration have increased when Waddani sided with Iran and the despotic regime of Eretria as far as opposing the Berbera port development is concerned.
- Other elucidations on that mass resignation are the fact that there are departmental disputes between party officials, such as the current dispute among the party spokesperson, the party media advisor and the information shadow secretary, who is expected to resign soon as sources close to the party indicated.
- The power struggle, bewilderment and multiple sources of authority from the party candidate, party chairman, party leader, and party politburo, have demoralized many party cadres, which ultimately resulted in their resignation from the party.
Let us see where this mass resignation end in the days and months to come.
By: Mohamed Dahir Ahmed