Political Cohabitation in Somaliland: Achieving Constructive Results through Cooperation

1

• Political Cohabitation in SomalilandAchieving
  Constructive Results through Cooperation?
• Introduction Rebecca Richards
• University of Bristol Department of Politics, UK
• September 19, 7 p.m., Maansoor Hotel

2
Basic Definitions

• Cohabitation Presidential Parliamentary
  (semi-presidential) system - Executive divided
  between president and prime minister of different
  parties.
• Divided government Unitary executive and
  legislature controlled by different political
  parties.
• For the forseeable future, divided government is
  the best bet for preserving both the letter and
  spirit of the Constitution. Bruce Fein

3
How does divided / cohabitation government arise?

• System created by voters theres a reason this
  happens
• Cohabitation President elected by voters, Prime
  Minister selected by Parliament. Example France
• Divided Government President and legislature
  elected by voters voters choose different
  parties. Example USA
• Divided Legislature Two chambers of parliament
  controlled by different majorities. Example
  Germany

4
How does Somaliland compare?

• Its not either one, but mixture
• Bicameral legislature with different selection
  processes
• Powerful executive separate from legislature
• Presidents party is minority in Parliament
• Legislative coalition majority not represented in
  the executive
• Developing Judiciary not strong enough to
  conclusively resolve constitutional disputes

5
What are the general negatives?

• Can create deadlock
• Can polarize society
• Places serious strains on constitutional
  guardians and can remove impartiality
• May undermine legitimacy of a political system,
  especially if it is still under construction
• Divided we have ever been, and ever must be.
  John Adams

6
What are the positives?

• Encourages debate and contestation
• Increases public participation
• Brings pertinent issues to the center of the
  political debate
• Increases representation
• Counters authoritarian tendencies
• Requires broader consensus
• May therefore increase sustainability of reforms
• Increases accountability

7
How do these political systems achieve
constructive results?

• Discussion, consensus, compromise and working
  within the constitutional framework.
• Understanding that national interest supercedes
  personal political gain.
• Involve the electorate in the political process
• Give and take
• It is not enough that your Legislature should be
  numerous it should also be divided. Benjamin
  Franklin

8
How do these political systems achieve
constructive results?

• Realization that no one can do it alone
• Strengthening institutions
• Non-partisan effective bureaucracy
• Time, patience and pragmatism.
• Government works better when each party has a
  piece of governing, and they are forced to find
  a bridge across a polarized divide. Norman
  Ornstein

9
United We Stand, Divided We Fall

• or Divided We Stand, United We Fall?

10
Key questions for discussion

• What is Somalilands experience in dealing with
  political cohabitation?
• How can the current cohabitation in Somaliland
  achieve constructive results?
• What recommendations can be made to make
  political cohabitation work in the interest of
  Somalilands people?
• Divided we stand, united we fall.

11
Ground Rules

• Focus on the topic for the night and focus on the
  issues - no personal attacks please.
• Feel free to present any viewpoint relevant to
  the topic under discussion.
• We expect tolerance, civility, and respect from
  all sides to all sides- the aim is to promote the
  best for Somaliland, not to score a point against
  someone or a group.
• Allow and encourage participation from
  audience-we value participation dialogue.
• Respect the time allocated to you - do not feel
  offended if you are kept to the time allocated to
  you.
• The Chair reserves the right to direct questions
  and answers to ensure productive dialogue.

12
Thank you!
http//www.apd-somaliland.org