SOMALILAND CONSTITUTION

We, the people of the Somaliland in order to form a more strong government, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, proved for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and we established a constitution for our country.

Creating a government is not easy. The people of Somaliland had some things in common. They all wanted personal freedom and justice. They all wanted a chance to earn a living to live peacefully, and to be protected from unfriendly nations. The peaceful way to settle differences is to reach an agreement, if you cannot agree you can compromise. In a compromise you get some things you want and give up other things in return. We had to make many compromise. In order to form a government that most of the people would accept.

When we wrote the constitution of Somaliland have to decide to let one ambition, or interest compete against another. We have to set up a constitution which one special interest would try to win votes over other special interest. That way, no one person or group could become too powerful. Selfish interest would lose out. Only those people willing to work together would win. Although when we wrote the constitution had to compromise on many issues, we “Somalilanders” agreed on one thing: – Law, not People, should rule. “If people were angels”, no law or government would be necessary.

When we “Somalilanders” wrote the constitution, we decided to separate the power of government and divided the government into three parts or branches……And we gave different power to each branch.
⦁ THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH……MUJILIS OR GUURTI AND CONGRESS OR WAKIILO…WOULD MAKE THE LAW
⦁ THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH…..LED BY THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT….WOULD ENFORCE OR CARRY OUT THE LAWS MADE BY THE MUJILIS AND CONGRESS.
⦁ THE JUDICIAL BRANCH, GUIDED BY THE SUPREME COURT, WOULD DECIDE HOW THE LAWS WORKED.
Each branch of government balances the other. This balance keeps any one branch from using too much power. Mujilis or Congress can make the law, but it cannot enforce them.
The President and Vice-President can carry out laws but not make them.
The Supreme Court can interpret laws, but it cannot make them.
This separation of power we called a system of “Checks and Balances”.
The Constitution of Somaliland gave the people of the Somaliland a plan for deciding the future.
When we “Somalilanders” wrote the constitution, found we had to make many compromises in order to form a constitution that most of the Somaliland people would accept.
Thanks to the blessing of “Allah” almighty and struggle of the SOMALI NATIONAL MOVEMENT “SNM”, impelled by the noble desire to lead their own free national life, the people of Somaliland hereby declare their independence.
IN ALLEH WE TRUST.

ANIIS ABDILLAHI ESSA
HEAD
SOMALILAND ADVOCACY GROUP
WASHINGTON DC……USA