Pre-election worries in Somaliland

[Jacaylbaro]

Hargeisa (Somali Press Review, April 10)— Somaliland opposition parties are preparing for impeding local and presidential elections amid reports about opposition mistrust in the ruling Udub party’s ability to agree to holding elections in Somaliland when Somaliland president’s five year term expires in May. Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, the leader of main opposition party, Kulmiye, questioned the utility of voter registration in his speech to the second convention for the party faithful held in Hargiesa two weeks ago. “Kulmiye understands that voter-registration is necessary for fair and free elections but ... the voter–registration process might take longer than expected which would in turn impact and delay the election itself, then it is necessary to give priority to the timely election and scrap the voter-registration,” Silanyo said.

 

How Somaliland government will find a way round this objection is still an enigma to many people. Opinions differ on Somaliland president’s decree to establish new regions and districts. Awdalnews.com a pro-government website has put a damper on the decision to create new regions and districts. “Instead of building a united, integrated and cohesive society that puts the higher national interests at its focus, Riyale opted to heighten tribal polarization and hostility among the people of Somaliland,” editorialised Awdalnews.

 

Somaliland law expert Ibrahim Hashi Jama argues that while the Somaliland constitution pragmatically considers districts’ and regions’ statuses based on economy and demography to upgrade or downgrade a given status, “no such assessments … have taken place and certainly there have been no presidential decrees announcing downgrading (from A or B to C or D) or loss of district status.”

 

Some observers of Somaliland political scene believe that elections may be postponed indefinitely, a move that will anger the two main opposition parties in Somaliland, Kulmiye and UCID. Engineer Faisal Ali Warabe, the leader of UCID party, urged the Council of Elders ( Guurti) not to give in to pressure to extend the presidential term. "Somaliland has a constitution. The Somaliland president was elected to lead us for five years. The Council of Elders will serve five years. If the Council of Elders does not honour the constitution, let them tamper with the constitution,” Hadhwanaag news website quoted the Faisal Ali Warabe as saying.

 

Political temperature in Somaliland is rising. Yesterday a blast rocked a Council of Elders' adminstrative office in Hargiesa. The Somaliland Minister for Interior, Abdullahi Ismail Irro, blamed Kulmiye party for the explosion. Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, the chairman of Kulmiye party denied the allegation and challenged the minister to back up his remarks with evidence.

 

In the coming months Somaliland will be facing a major political test. Will the time honoured tradition based deal-making approaches to political stalemates prove useful again? Somalilanders have succesfully managed power transfer following the death of president Mohamed Hagi Ibrahim Egal in 2002, and the subsequent election results in 2003. The multi-party system was in its infancy. It is still fragile but 2008 is the year that has thrown up many political challenges for Somaliland politicians and Somalilanders.

 

 

© 2008 Somali Press Review

[Koora-Tuunshe]

Some observers of Somaliland political scene believe that elections may be postponed indefinitely, a move that will anger the two main opposition parties in Somaliland, Kulmiye and UCID....

 

Political temperature in Somaliland is rising. Yesterday a blast rocked a Council of Elders' adminstrative office in Hargiesa. The Somaliland Minister for Interior, Abdullahi Ismail Irro, blamed Kulmiye party for the explosion. Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, the chairman of Kulmiye party denied the allegation and challenged the minister to back up his remarks with evidence.

 

What about Qaran?

[Jacaylbaro]

Qaran is not officially registered political party.

 

Of course the move created the anger of the two main opposition parties ,,,,, But the minister of Interrior have gone mad this time by pointing fingures at KULMIYE few hours after the explosion.