Somalia’s first leadership chose constitutional rule over punishing coup plotters.

Evidence

The government’s conduct in dealing with the coup plotters attests to its democratic and constitutional orientation. President Osman’s stance against the wishes of the well-respected national commander, that the constitution did not permit the creation of military tribunals, clearly demonstrates the government’s commitment to the rule of law. Moreover, the government’s willingness to drop the appeal altogether might be considered too lenient and risk setting a precedent that could encourage others to pursue an illegal course of action. However, this was a farsighted decision that prioritized national integration over the particular case of a few disgruntled junior officers. Finally, the government’s conduct during the crisis revealed that it honored the division of powers between the three branches of government by not interfering with the judiciary even when it thought that the judge had transgressed the law. — Abdi Ismail Samatar, Africa’s First Democrats, 644