Sen. Feingold Statement on Elections in Guinea, Somaliland and Burundi

[Suldaanka]

Feingold Statement on Elections in Guinea, Somaliland and Burundi

 

For the Congressional Record

 

Thursday, July 1, 2010

 

 

Over the past few days, several important elections have taken place on the African continent. On Sunday, the people of Guinea participated in their country’s first free election since it achieved independence more than half a century ago. This election was all the more significant given the political crisis that rocked Guinea last year. The U.S. embassy has reported that the vote went “extraordinarily well,” although some of the candidates are now alleging that some fraud and irregularities occurred.

 

The people of Somaliland, the autonomous region in northern Somalia, also held elections over this past weekend. I was pleased to learn that no major violence was reported during the voting, despite threats by al Shabaab, and that international observers found the vote to be free and fair. Given the grave deterioration of governance across the Horn of Africa and the continued crisis in south-central Somalia, the people of Somaliland deserve to be commended for holding a credible election.

 

Burundians also went to the polls this Monday to vote for their president, although turnout was low as a result of an opposition boycott and heightened levels of violence. There have reportedly been more than 40 grenade attacks over the past several weeks, raising fears of a resurgence of conflict within the country. Burundi has made tremendous strides over the last decade to recover and rebuild from its civil war, but the peace remains fragile.

 

The results from these respective elections will be released in the coming days. While the conditions and circumstances in all three of these places are different, we should pay close attention to the way that the results are handled and the ensuing transitions. We should speak out forcefully against credible reports of fraud or misconduct and press for them to be dealt with appropriately. At the same time, we should encourage political leaders to refrain from using any words or taking any actions that could instigate violence.

 

In Guinea, the political climate is so precarious that any delay in releasing the electoral results or suspicion of fraud could ignite greater instability. The results of the election also run the risk of heightening ethnic tensions within the country. Similarly in Somaliland, disputed poll results could fuel tensions. We must not overlook the reality that al Shabaab could seek to exploit any transition-related instability.

 

I am especially concerned about the situation in Burundi given the violence and disputes surrounding its elections. I expressed my concern earlier this year that despite the progress that has been made, many of the tensions and structures that fueled Burundi’s civil war are still there. The international community has invested a great deal in Burundi’s peace process and we should continue to work with Burundians to ensure that process moves forward.

[Suldaanka]

The UK's Economist breif intro to SL Dr. Adan Abokor .

[Jacaylbaro]

Great ! ! !