UDUB

Flag of the UDUB

UDUB is a political party in Somaliland, which is not recognized internationally . It was founded in 2001 by the then president and was in government until the 2010 presidential election .

Surname

Udub is the Somali word for the central wooden post that gives stability to a traditional nomad hut.

At the same time, the name stands as an acronym for Ururka Dimuqraadiga Ummadda Bahawday , which is translated into English in various sources as United Democratic People's Party , United Peoples 'Democratic Party , Democratic United Peoples' Movement , Unity of Democrats Party or Union of Democrats . According to another source, the abbreviation for Ururka Dimograadiga Ummadda Bahoobey , English Democratic United Peoples' Movement .

founding

Mohammed Haji Ibrahim Egal , who has been President of Somaliland since 1993, founded the UDUB in August 2001 and became its chairman. Many ministers and parliamentarians joined the party.

After Egal's death in May 2002, the previous Vice President Dahir Riyale Kahin took over the presidency in accordance with the constitution, as well as the party chairmanship of the UDUB.

Election results

In the run-up to the local elections in Somaliland in 2002 , UDUB was organizationally clearly ahead of the other parties. With 40.76% it received by far the most votes, but unexpectedly narrowly won and failed to achieve a majority in many constituencies.

In the 2003 presidential election , Dahir Riyale Kahin, along with his vice-president, was only just confirmed with 42.08% of the vote. Ahmed Mohammed Mahamoud Silanyo of the opposition Kulmiye , who was 80 votes behind him, accepted this result for the sake of political stability.

In the parliamentary elections in 2005 , the UDUB received 39% of the vote and thus 33 out of 82 seats. This means that she is in the minority in parliament compared to the opposition coalition.

In the 2010 presidential election , Dahir Riyale Kahin achieved a share of around 33% of the vote, while Silanyo was the winner with 49.6%.

Alignment

The UDUB presents itself primarily as a party of stability and refers to its experience and the achievements of the governments it provides. Since its inception, it has been perceived as the "ruling party". Its motto nabad iyo caano ("peace and milk") stands for peace in Somaliland, which the party regards as its achievement. The UDUB has so far not had any actual ideology or a clear party program, but the emphasis on continuity and experience indicates a conservative stance.

One of its weaknesses is that it is also associated with unpopular ministers and political decisions. Some believe it is doing too little to reach women and young voters. The two opposition parties, Kulmiye and UCID , also accuse the UDUB of being given a disproportionate amount of space in the state media. In addition, state funds are said to have been used for the party.

Like the other parties, the UDUB is politically neutral and has members and supporters from all clans. In previous elections, the regions of Awdal (the area of the Gadabursi- Dir , the clan of Dahir Riyale Kahin) and Saaxil (the home region of the Vice President) received the most support.

Dahir Riyale Kahin was under the Somali President and dictator Siad Barre in the notorious National Security Service , possibly in his position there he was responsible for human rights violations against the Isaaq population in northern Somalia. The largest opposition party, Kulmiye , of which many members in the Isaaq rebel movement SNM fought against the Barre regime, therefore connects the UDUB with the oppressors of the time.