WHY, ESTABLISHED, SOMALI SOCIAL UNITY PARTY (SSUP)?

 Movement of  the  community/Formulation stage

After deep assessment of the existing nation collapse and catastrophe condition lived by the Somali Community, by  responsible and patriotic members of the Somali community realized the need to be proactive in  discharging their role in the society, many  questions arose as to:  how we can work toghethera and promote systematically and sincerally the Somali Unity? How we can share and benefit from the various talents and embeddied experience and knowledge of the various  members of the somali community spread around  worldwide? These responsible Somalis have jointly recognized the need to have:

an effective well-organized community-based organization, and having/encouraging the  responsible members of the society who would proactively be involved to assess and  analysis the negative impacts and the petty culture of the existing clan-based governments. Accordingly, on April11,2004 a national party named "Somali Social Unity Party" has been established officially in Katrinholm, Sweden, with registration number 802421-0471

  Learning From Historical Background

Social movements spawned from citizen activism are not unprecedented in this region of Africa (Somalia). Citizen groups, particularly those led by youth, have spearheaded many fundamental changes in modern Somalia. In the late 40s, a popular movement, led by the Somali Youth League, succeeded in cutting across clan loyalties to overthrow European colonizers. With independence in 1960, Somalia built hundreds of schools, trained tens of thousands of teachers, adopted a written Somali language, and successfully implemented nation-wide literacy programs. Somali Society today has been unable to benefit from this history. After two decades of civil war, the Somali government system must be completely rebuilt. However, electing parliament, president and appointing ministers alone will not create peace in Somalia.

   SSUP plans to engage all of Somali society, giving them the tools they need to mobilize toward a peaceful societyin compliance to the Party's Policy and Constitution, as hereunder is specified .

        Background

    TAKE PART IN THE MOVEMENT TO SAVE THE SOMALI NATION 

The Somali Social Unity Party was inaugurated on April 11, 2004. It is a political party, which believes in the principles of dialogue, discussion, power sharing, equality, justice, freedom of expression and the development of the prestige of the Somali nation among the family of nations, without infringing on their cultural values. 

       SSUP Philosophy/Slogan 

TRIBALISM AND NATION BUILDING DO NOT WORK TOGETHER.

For that reason we ought to actively seek a solution to the self-destructive culture of tribalism in our nation, which will be a pragmatic and continuous process. 

The Somali Social Unity Party's working philosophy includes the encouragement of the Somali Nation to actively seek to find a political solution to the needs and aspirations of their community. 

We wish to remind our esteemed supporters that we work on the basis of dialogue, discussion, fairness, equality, power sharing, self-help, patience and educated/informed way of thinking rather than the gun. Loving your brother/sister as you love yourself, unity and long-lasting peace. 

        SSUP’s Vision

Somalis, despite their physical resemblance, shared cultural beliefs, common language, and religion; the most important psychological bond for Somalis is their clan affiliation.

The SSUP will offer Somali Society, for the first time, an opportunity to establish a society that works for common vision of peaceful conflict resolution, a respect for human rights, and a foundation for sustainable development. Until the boundaries of tribe are breached, Somalia cannot work together to overcome its social problems..

SSUP proposes the creation of a large-scale social movement to break the indoctrination of Somalia’s future leaders into these systems of habitual conflict, which continue to destroy civil society. 

         The Objectives and Principles of SSUP are: 

• To lead the struggle to save the Somali Nation wherever they may face hardships.
• To show the Nation that the solutions to their problems are in  their own hands and to highlight the need for dialogue, discussion, trust and peaceful means.
• To lead the Somali Nation in nation building and accountable administration.
• To unite the various constructive opinions of the Nation wherever they may be.
• To call upon educated/well-informed Somalis who have a thirst for nation building and who are disheartened by the state of affairs of their brethren in Somalia and in the Diaspora to take an active and pragmatic part in educating the masses on the objectives and principles of the Party. At the same time, to encourage them to work towards the construction and development of the Nation in an integrated manner.
• To educate the Somali Nationals that their strength lies in self-reliance and the way to achieve that is through working in unity.
• To actively discourage any plans or approaches based on tribalism in nation building and power sharing.

The National Democratic Institute (NDI or the Institute) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organization that responds to the aspirations of people around the world to live in democratic societies that recognize and promote basic human rights.

Since its founding in 1983, NDI and its local partners have worked to support and strengthen democratic institutions and practices by strengthening political parties, civic organizations and parliaments, safeguarding elections, and promoting citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

The Institute has been active in Somalia since 2005

The Current Status of Somali Political Parties

NDI’s assessment identified 14 political parties, most of which announced their establishment between  2010 and early in 2012. However, the Somali Social Unity Party (SSUP), which is based in Katrineholm, Sweden, was established as early as 2006. In addition, as of October 2011, efforts are underway to revive the SYL, Somalia’s first political party. The party dates back to the 1940s but its activities had been suspended for over 20 years due to the country’s various political and security crises. Seven of the parties the assessment identified have their headquarters outside the country (in Kenya, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States). However, all of the parties NDI interviewed have a presence in Somalia.

Yassin Mahi Mallin

Chairman of the SSUP

www.ssup.se

maaxi@hotmail.com