Essay 1: Defending democracy

I was a TPEC worker on Voter Registration Days, and my experience taught me what
transition to democracy really looked like.

Somalia is a federal government. After the collapse of Soviet Union regime, the nation
suffered civil war over the past 30 years, finally Somalia took federalism and now are in
transition to democracy. Citizens want to rule.

By; Ahmed Said, 23

Part One: illusion

I have always been interested in politics. I educate myself further, expand my viewpoints. I
as Democrat Advocate and Human Right defender. I was very proud to be part of the
transition of Somalia to Democracy, and help Somali citizens reach freedom. Two Weeks of
Voter registration work as an interviewer from 5th to 20th January 2023 in Bossaso city
Puntland, Somalia, to the upcoming local election, the road to Democracy.

Working in Voter Registration center in most densely populated city in Puntland, almost one
million residents only two weeks work was unimaginable. I thought that it will be work-
intensive and all the residents will come and register to vote for the election.

Unfortunately, very few people showed up in every Voter registration center, some people
were not patient during queuing, but the majority of the people were humble and followed
the orders we gave. I was very disappointed why the majority of the residents didn’t get
registered.

Part Two: Umbrage

The transition to Democracy is under attack, group of politicians spread propaganda, and
misled the illiterate community that this transition to Democracy will lead to dictatorial rule
and civil war again. This caused the civil society to doubt the Democracy transitioning.
I reach out some members of the community by advocating to democracy and convinced its
good impact to the people and the nation. I had a dream to make the transition come true.

Part Three: Agony

They rejected people to register for the election, my home town, Garowe, the capital city of
Puntland, Somalia, the Voter registration was supposed to start at 7 th February 2023. So
called “populists”, Armed Civilians to stop the Voter registration to start in the city.
UN reports are saying “that the office works are stopped temporarily and the arrival of UN
foreign staff workers has been stopped due to security alert and heavy gun shots outside the
city”.
These groups are using the “Will” of the people and they are doing this for the sake of their
personal interest and want total control over the nation and destroy the freedom, right and
justice of the poor citizens specially women and children.

Part Four: Reassure

I reached out some people in the community and advocated to democracy, it had a good
influence the local people I personally met. It eradicated the doubts of the community against
democracy. I was so glad to meet same people that I convinced them to register in the Voter
registration center in Bossaso .
Similarly, in Garowe, I conducted advocacy and engaged the youth, and the open-minded
individuals to be part of the movement and they genuinely welcomed the change.