by Mohamed Awaleh
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Ever since the parliamentarian election held into the Republic of Djibouti in February 2013, between governing Party, UMP (Union for the Presidential Movement), under the leadership of President Ismail O. Guelleh; and the Opposition coalition, USN(Union for National Salvation...), has unfortunately created a political stalemate that threatening the stability of the country.
Having said that this political crisis has brought nothing but a constant public unrest; every Friday, after prayer, a battle ignite between the Police and the Djiboutian Citizens on the street of the largest and Capital city – Djibouti-ville.
Although that a confrontation Similar to Bahrain and Egypt is occurring in Djibouti as well. Yet, the International press, Western media and governments chose to ignore it - simply as a result of the presence of their Arm Forces in Djibouti: U.S.A; France; British; German; UK, Japan…etc.
This unwise political deadlock, however, would serve no one interest but at the end of the day; it would certainly hurt the people and, definitely damage the reputation and the integrity of the Republic of Djibouti in the long run if the Djiboutian government failed to act sensibly before it’s too late.
Needless to say, the Djiboutian government must be courageous enough to save the country from chaos or civil war for the country; before Djibouti ends up like Bahrain, Central Africa, Egypt or Libya…etc.
Therefore, the two parties (UMP and USN) must compromise for the sake of the greater good of the People.
Here are the negotiations proposals that we wish to share with our fellow countrymen/women, hopefully, for the grace of Allah; it would help to bring to an end with this national crisis:
a) Djiboutian government must release unconditionally to all the Political Prisoners; particularly, Sheik Abdurrahman Bashir, Sheik Abdurrahman God and Sheik Guireh Meidal, for out of good faith. And they ought to return their jobs and government should release their salaries.
b) USN shall settle in for 20 seats for the sake of the people; instead of the 10 seats that they previously rejected. And the Vice-presidency of the National Assembly (there are 65 Members in Parliament).
Although some of the USN members suggested that they'll not settle in with less than 50/50. We think it's unrealistic because we all know - in Africa that won't be possible - in other word, there won't be any work being done for the people in the National Assembly ( Djiboutian Parliament) if there are 50/50 between governing and opposition parties. We are convinced that we are not yet in that level. There will only be squabbles, quarrels and fists fight like little kids in there; and the national affairs will be interrupted it.
c) Government ought to give up the Attorney General for the USN since the Ministry of Justice is UMP.
d) The Constitutional Court or Supreme Court should be 50/50 between UMP and oppositions, USN. It should be more Judges on the other side of the aisle as well in Djiboutian Court in order to insure the judicial independence and social justice.
e) And UMP (the governing Party) should make its government more inclusive and add 4 Cabinet Ministers from the opposition parties side, USN.
f) Djiboutian government ought to accept the creation of an independent electoral commission consisted of 50/50 members of UMP and opposition parties, USN.
Mohamed Awaleh
Email: [email protected]