The Role of the Council of Elders ‘Guurti’ In Somaliland’s Political Reconstruction and Democratization

ABSTRACT This study is an inspired effort to analyze the role of the council of elders ‘Guurti’ in Somaliland’s political construction and democratization, in the republic of Somaliland. The reconciliation and peace conferences (shirbeeleedyo) were executed by the traditional council of elders ‘Guurti’. The Guurti have for the past nineteen years largely taken over major roles of the country including: reconstruction, peace-building, country building, security, dispute mediation and others. Somaliland’s transition from clan-based system to multiparty democracy. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of politicisation of the Guurii to Somaliland’s political system. A total of 205 respondents were selected and treated as sample population. The instruments employed included Questionnaires, and Focus Group Discussion. The results ofthe study reveals that the council of elders engaged a vital role in the stages of national liberation struggle reconciliation of Somaliland clans, political and state rebuilding, and democratisation, politicisation of the Guurti will cause difficulties of somaliland’s political structure, although Guurti done lots of crucial activities in the political system yet they are hindering democracy through extension of President’s term of office, The Guurti members shouldn’t be elected from parties, but they should be nominated from their clans. The study then concluded that Somaliland should rethink the future of the council of elders and their powers and mandate should be clearly stated and differ from those of the House of Representatives. The Guurti is a body which worked hard for saving us many difficult times and still we need it. If we employ the democracy we adopted alone the need for our traditional governance is vital in case of pitfalls of the democratisation. The study recommended the need to create councils of elders in regional levels and district levels so that they always interact with their people and decentralize the traditional leadership in the system of governance. The House of Representatives, in xi discussion with the traditional leaders, should also develop criteria for the identification of elders, in order to reduce the nomination of disqualified members joining the council of elders.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter Page

ONE

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1

Background of the study 1

Problem statement 3

Purpose of the study 3

General objectives 4

Research questions 4

Hypothesis 4

Scope of the study 4

Significance of the study 5

Operational definitions of key terms 6

TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 7

Concepts, opinions, ideas from authors/experts 7

Theoretical perspectives 10

Related studies 12

THREE

METHODOLOGY 16

Research Design 16

Research Population 16

Sample size 17

ix

Sampling procedure 17

Research Instrument 17

Validity and reliability of instrument 18

Data gathering procedures - 18

Data analysIs 19

Ethical consIderations 19

Umltatlons of the study 20

FOUR

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRITATION OF DATA 21

Profile of the Respondents 21

Description of the Extent of Electronic Banking Systems In Selected

Commercial Banks In Uganda 22

Description of the Level of Flnandal Performance in Selected Commerdal

Banks in Uganda 25

The RelatIonship between Electronic Banking Systems and Financial

Performance In Selected Commercial Banks In Uganda 27

FIVE

FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIoNS 30

Findings - 30

Condusions 31

Recommendations 32

References 34

x

Appendices

Appendix II Informed Consent 37

Appendix III : Research Instrument 38

Attachments

Introductory Letter

Confirmation Letters from Selected Commercial Banks.

Researcher’s Curriculum Vitae.