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•
Institutionalization and Awareness of Functions, Roles and Remit: Participants
identified the need to establish an act articulating the roles of parliament, separate from
the constitution, in order for members of parliament, staff, government and the public to
have a reference point with regards to the functions, roles and remit of both Houses. It
was felt that this needs to occur prior to the parliamentary elections, particularly in the
case of the
Guurti.
Financial Resources
Surprisingly, given the centrality of financial resources to the workings of parliament and the
challenges associated with a lack of resources, financial resources was ranked as a medium
priority in this category. Participants felt that parliament needed a greater budget allocation in
order to fulfill its functions, which were discussed in terms of legislative capacity and
parliamentary accessibility and responsiveness.
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International Relations
Participants also identified desired changes under the international relations sub-category;
participants were adamant that the enabling environment was currently hindered by a lack of
international recognition and that Somaliland is being overlooked in favor of Somalia.
International recognition was described as a critical change in the political environment by
participants, because it increased the likelihood of international assistance. One participant
remarked, “Somaliland is very democratic…yet we are not recognized by international
organizations and our budget is very limited compared to Somalia. They are assisted by
international organizations yet their parliament is not democratically elected.” Another
participant said that to be a member of parliament in an unrecognized country in Africa is “the
worst job in the world” due to lack of funds and political leverage.
Election Administration
Participants considered the administering of parliamentary elections, and in particular identified
voter registration by the National Electoral Commission, as a major immediate priority.
Participants were concerned that the National Electoral Commission’s mandate would run out
before elections to both chambers were held. This was described as a “shame” by one
workshop participant who felt that the National Electoral Commission was “very professional
and could teach Somalilanders much about how to go about doing things.” The main subject of
discussion, however, concerned the need to establish the basis of free and fair elections in which
all eligible citizens participated. There were fears that the government was “stalling” on the
important task of voter registration in order to delay elections, though some participants did
recognize that the significant financial burden of undertaking voter registration was a major
hurdle.
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During this discussion a participant in a parliamentary leadership position tempered complaints of lack of funds
by members of parliament, “Every organization is short of money, and when they prepare the budget they put a lot
of money which our economy cannot allow. So, it is the duty of the Minister of Finance to make a lot of cutting.
So, this also is the same with the parliament. They cannot always give us all the programs we have listed which are
due to budgetary [constraints]. Our government cannot afford to pay all this.”
