Jacaylbaro Posted August 18, 2008 Hargeisa - The breakaway state of Somaliland hopes next year's presidential elections will lead to international recognition of the northern Somali enclave as an independent country, officials said on Sunday. The polls were seen by many as an acid test for the former British protectorate which broke away from Somalia in 1991 when the ouster of former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre plunged the Horn-of-Africa country into anarchy. Somaliland has enjoyed relative peace and prosperity and has held previous democratic elections, but analysts say it is not recognised globally because of concerns that rewriting colonial borders would open a Pandora's box of other secession claims. Test for recognition bid "The election is a test for Somaliland's recognition bid," electoral commission chairperson Mohamed Ismail Mohamed said. "So many countries are waiting to see how we will conduct our election. It will be transparent, free and fair." Presidential elections were postponed in 2007 and again this year due to what officials called technical problems, including inadequate voter registration and planning time. The polls were due to be held before April 6 2009, following a civil registration process. Somaliland's system of government consists of a house of representatives elected directly by the people and an upper chamber, or Guurti, consisting of traditional elders representing the different clans and sub-clans. "We will do everything to make sure the elections are held. "We have a unique infant democracy combining a traditional chamber and a Parliamentary system. We can not afford to fail," Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullahi Mohamed Duale told Reuters. According to a European Union study seen by Reuters, the region has substantial untapped resources of oil, coal and metals such as gold, platinum, copper, nickel and zinc. Somaliland's 850km of coastline on the Gulf of Aden also offers potential for a fishing industry. web page Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Saqajaan Posted August 18, 2008 What are you, the official cyber propagandist for the Ethiopian proxy state known as somaliland? There is really no elections, whoever has the most support from the clan elders, will be the godfather. Riyaale will mostly likely cheat and win again. You will never be recognized. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacaylbaro Posted August 18, 2008 There is really no elections, whoever has the most support from the clan elders, will be the godfather. Riyaale will mostly likely cheat and win again Saqajaanimo big time ,,, 100% Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
