Somalilandsun:The opposition parties of UCID and WADANI are now in control of the Somaliland House of Representatives and 90% of local governments
This follows the conclusion of coalition talks in the Togdeer regional capital Burao, where leaders of the two parties Abdirahman Abdillahi “Irro” and Eng. Feisal Ali Warabe of Wadani and UCID respectively, officiated the land mark function in which agreements reached on parliamentary and local governments power sharing were made public.
Following the 31st May 2021 elections in which the two opposition parties won a majority in the 82 member house of representatives and a controlling votes in most local councils, UCID and WADANI entered into an alliance to dislodge ruling Kulmiye from Somaliland political supremacy.
In these polls the first combined and seventh democratic one nomad one vote there were 1,065,847 registered voters, over 2700 polling stations, 246 and 82 local government and parliamentary seats at stake.
The elections attracted 249 candidates vying for the 82 Member of Parliament seats in the six electoral regions of the country as displayed image below including number of seats won by each of the three parties.
In the local council polls in which 246 seats were in contention by 552 candidates in the 22 electoral districts, where the combined opposition parties, votes gave them a controlling majority.
Thence the coalition in which Wadani Party with 31 MPs elected takes over control of the House of Representatives with MP Abdirizaq Khalif Ahmed from the Sool electoral region takes over as speaker.
While UCID which holds 2 seats in the August house being awarded the deputy speakership the local government’s crème de la crème of Hargeisa municipality saw the mayoral parlour go to councilor-elect Abdikarim Ahmed Moge of Wadani.
The agreement on Cllr Moge who garnered the highest number of votes 26,000+ in elections, as mayor of Hargeisa was both a major coalition breakthrough since UCID had contested through argument that with Wadani taking house speaker, the party’s Cllr Saeed Abdisamad Oday should be city mayor.
This standoff even ensued with President Musa Bihi Abdi come out in support of the Abdikarim A Moge candidature during a meeting he hosted for then embattled aspirant at the presidency in Hargeisa
“With the overwhelming votes given Abdikarim, the residents of Hargeisa were very explicit on their choice for mayor and being the democratic thing, I fully support and endorse your candidature” said president Bihi who also serves as ruling Kulmiye party leader.
Signs that the opposition parties coalition agreement impasse has been solved came a hours prior to the Burao meeting during a joint Wadani-UCID press briefing in Hargeisa, Eng. Warabe also revealed that his party had stood fast to a pre-election deal in which its candidate would be City mayor if Wadani gets the speakership,
At the presser where both parties’ nominee for Hargeisa Mayor namely Cllr-elect Saeed Abdisamad Oday of UCID and opponent Cllr-Elect Abdikarim A Moge of Wadani.
Stating that the imperatives for a strong city municipality leadership was paramount to individual and party the two incoming city councilors said their agreement was in pursuit of serving the people.
“I, hereby declare publicly that I have withdrawn my candidature for the mayorship of Hargeisa municipality” said Cllr Oday adding that he shall fully support Cllr Abdikarim
Finally crowned mayor of Hargeisa less official swearing-in Councilor Abdikarim Ahmed Moge said, “I am grateful to my brother Saeed Abdisamad Oday for the concession he made to me. I know he was proud and wanted to run city affairs as mayor.
Adding that the elections of May 31st have ensued with citizens and Hargeisa city residents staking a claim on leadership at all levels, Cllr Moge pledged to implement his no clan affiliation campaign strategy in service to the country.
The coalition agreement gives UCID party the following posts
I. deputy speaker of parliament
II. Deputy Mayor- Hargeisa and
III. Mayor and Deputy –Burao local councils while discussions continue on the rest except in Erigavo where long serving mayor Ismail Haji Nuur was reelected on a Wadani party ticket thus retain his seat with UCID taking deputy.
So far Main Opposition party Wadani has been apportioned
A. Speaker of the Somaliland parliament’s House of Representatives and
B. Mayor of Hargeisa Municipal council.
The opposition parties’ coalition for Somaliland political power control is under a ten member committee composed of HERE
For the ruling Kulmiye party which managed to have 30 of 82 parliamentarians and 83 councillors elected , it relinquish control of both the house of representatives and most Somaliland local Councils.
