By: Yusuf M Hasan
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The Somaliland presidential and parliamentary elections shall be held in December 2016.
This was the mutual agreement reached by the three national political parties of Kulmiye, UCID and Wadani during conflict resolution talks facilitated by the government and chaired by the Vice president Abdirahman Sayli in Hargeisa.
Preamble to a four point’s agreement signed by leaders of Kulmiye, Wadani and UCID parties Musa Behi, Abdirahman Irro and Eng Feisal Ali respectively read
As you are all aware about the election dates dispute talks initiated by president Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo and chaired by his deputy Abdirahman Sayli three meetings were held beginning on the 20th May 2015 in Hargeisa where strenuous brainstorming sessions ensued intent on resolving disputed election dates and finally this evening of the 27th May 2015 it was concurred unanimously that the country undertaker its presidential and parliamentary polls in December 2016.
With the three political party leaders Namely Muse Behi– Kulmiye, Feisal Ali –UCID and Abdirahman Irro-Wadani as well as Vice president Abdirahman Sayli-Government each making a separate statement as per the agreement the points mentioned as mutually concurred upon were:
1. We are very respectful of the decision reached by Guurti to extend the tenure of president vice president and parliament.
2. The three national political parties of UCID, Wadani and Kulmiye hereby advise that the presidential and parliamentary elections be held in December 2016
3. The national election commission setting up the specific date to conduct the polls in December 2016 and
4. The head of state to approve the dates through a presidential decree.
Though the chair of Guurti Suleiman Mahmud Aden was in the final meeting his conspicuous absence the accord press briefing s most likely attributed to his adamancy that the April 2017 dates fixed by his chambers were legal thence irrevocable.
After all is said and done Somalilanders have breathed a huge sigh in relief and hopefully NEC shall expedite allocation of specific date and president Silanyo decree approve thus negate any further suspense and hiccups.
letter of agreement
