Somalilandsun: Somaliland is going to hold its Parliamentary and local councils Elections at the end of May this year.
This elections in which 379 local councils seats in 23 electoral districts and 82 Parliamentary Seats in 6 Electoral region’s are up for grabs the majority of funding has been availed by the government of Somaliland.
In Mogadishu the seat of the federal government of Somalia a dispute is raging over the AUTHORITY of president Farmajo after failed elections of 8th Feb, which was date of tenure expiry thus the demand for a national council to run affairs till polls.
In contrast with Somaliland which is Unrecognized but funding it’s own democratization process, Somalia is beneficiary of millions of dollars annually from the international community which also provides security through AMISOM, a 20,000 strong African force that is battling Al-Shabaab.
Upon all processes that led to the Somaliland national elections commission-NEC getting the go-ahead to conduct the first ever consolidated Parliamentary and local councils elections in the country, the state committed to actualization.
In a MEETING with mayor’s from all local councils and regional administrators in Hargeisa president Musa Bihi said “The Government of Somaliland is committed to a democratic process based leadership thus determined to ensure Parliamentary and local councils elections are held in a timely, free and manner”.
Adding that “Since we hold office courtesy of Somalilanders, owe them access to a conducive environment for them to choose leaders of their choice in a timely, free, fair and transparent election”
In response to this commitment members of the international community with a STAKE in the Somaliland democratization process said “These elections present a significant opportunity for Somaliland to reaffirm its democratic credentials and to further the progress that has been realised in Somaliland’s democratisation process since the last parliamentary election in 2005”
In Somalia upon collapse of elections slated for the 8th Feb leading to a very volatile political and security situation especially in the capital Mogadishu , the international community propping up the wartorn country CALLED UPON “ Somalia’s leaders to resume their dialogue urgently to reach final agreement permitting national elections to take place as soon as possible,”
While UNDERSCORING that any alternative outcomes, including a parallel process or partial elections, or other measures short of an agreed electoral process, would be a setback that would not obtain the support of partners.
Out of the Hargeisa versus Mogadishu management of democratization process , some Somalia politicians are covertly, seemingly pursuing avenues of gaining a foothold in the Somaliland political arena via the backdoor.
In the run-up to the May elections the three Somaliland political parties of Ruling Kulmiye and Opposition UCID and Wadani are busy putting in place a list of their candidates for Parliament and local governments.
This has ensued with daily announcements of so and so declaration of candidacy for this or that seat through this or that party.
In this context some person with affiliation to senior Somalia politicians like president Farmajo and his former prime minister Khayre have declared their intent to garner political office in Somaliland.
One of them is Nawad Hassan of Kulmiye party connected to former Somalia PM Kheyre who is running for MP representing Hargeisa.
The other is madam Sabah Abdi Ibrahim known to be in cahoots with embattled president Farmajo, aspiring for a seat at the Hargeisa municipal council though she is yet to inform of sponsoring party.
While these are just two of whom association with senior Somalia Politicians can be ascertained photographically others who have kept their familiarity with Mogadishu or somaliweyne sympathies secret might be in the offing too.
So shouldn’t the Government and political parties cooperate in vetting candidates with a view to barring those with Somalia reunion tendencies?
Thanks to @umshahadali and @Sabawanaag for sharing the photos
