By: Yusuf M Hasan
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The major final line-up of presidential elections slated for 2015 in Somaliland is now final.
The sitting Somaliland president Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo shall defend his office in 2015 elections.
This was revealed by the information minister cum government spokesperson Abdilahi Mohamed Dahir ‘U’kuse during a press briefing in his Hargeisa offices where he termed the move by his boss as not only legal but one demanded by citizens.
“According to the Somaliland constitution a person can hold the office of president for two consecutive terms of five years each” said U’kuse
This announcement pits president Silanyo of Kulmiye party against Abdirahman Irro of Wadani and Jamal Ali Hussein of UCID.
Queried by journalists on why president Silanyo has repudiated his post 2010 election pledge not to seek re-election, U’kuse had this to say
“Am not aware of President Silanyo ever having spoken about a one term tenure”
This announcement that comes a few days after the national delegate’s conference of the ruling Kulmiye party opens a Pandora box that if not handled carefully might split the party asunder.
Following that conference of the 29th April in which all the four party leaders namely Chairman Musa Bihi, 1st deputy chair Mohamed Kahin, 2nd deputy chair MP Wabeeye and 3rd deputy chair Abdilahi Sayli were elected unopposed Musa Bihi went ahead to declare his quest for the Somaliland presidency in 2015.
Now with president Silanyo’s official announcement attributed by Minister U’kuse to popular demand nationwide, will Muse Bihi withdraw his quest that has received support within the party or will he oppose his boss and mentor?
